7th June 2014 Hail stops football match

[Simon Culling]

A pre World cup friendly match between Belgium and Tunisia yesterday (staged in Brussels) was halted by large hailstones, some of which looked to be of golf ball size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9VuEGrHcFA

[Simon Culling]

On the same evening, England's friendly match in Miami against Honduras was also held up by the weather due to lightning strikes within 2 miles of the stadium.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27383495

England had the better of the possession and chances but did not do much with it. Thankfully this time there has not been very much hype about our chances of winning the World Cup. Most of us think we will struggle to get past the knockout stage!

[Manukau heads obs]

wasnt there a post about a prediction about large hail?

[Simon Culling]

Yes there was Brian, but it was for England and not the European continent. The air is much hotter over the Channel at the moment (30*C+ in Germany today) and will be getting hotter during the coming week - up to at least 35*C.

[Simon Culling]

Another video from Belgium on the same day (7th June 2014) with more golf ball sized hail:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vTCegluVEA

There have also been some spectacular storms this evening (9th June) in NE France, Belgium + Holland with reports of hail up to 8cm diameter.