Football: Juventus blown off course by weather

Juventus, who were on their way to Bucharest for their Champions' League match against Steaua Bucharest, found themselves on a mystery tour taking in Sofia before bad weather forced them back to Turin yesterday.

Assuming Juventus can reach their desired destination today the game will take place tomorrow.

The charter plane from Turin to Bucharest could not land at Bucharest's Otopeni airport because of 50mph winds and snow. It diverted to Sofia, 300 miles south of Bucharest. The team contemplated completing the journey by taking the train, but the Romanian railways were also disrupted by snow.

The Italian champions contacted Uefa in the afternoon from Sofia and received approval to return home.

Juventus are due to return today if the airport reopens and the game would be played tomorrow. If not, the game will be played next Wednesday.

Steaua, who won the European Cup in 1986, have no chance of qualifying because Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have already clinched the two quarter- final places from the group.