Athletic Bilbao players erupt in snowball fight at Prague airport ahead of Champions League clash

When Athletic Bilbao players stepped off their flight at Václav Havel Airport Prague on Monday, November 24, 2025, they didn’t head straight for the bus. Instead, they turned the snowy tarmac into a playground. Within seconds of disembarking, the Basque squad—fresh off a 10-hour flight from Bilbao—were pelting each other with snowballs, laughing like kids on their first snow day. The impromptu snowball fight, captured in viral clips by GOAL and Idman.Biz, offered a rare, unfiltered glimpse of joy amid the crushing pressure of the UEFA Champions League Sinobo Stadium just hours away.

A Winter Surprise in Prague

Prague hadn’t seen snow this heavy since early December 2023. But on the afternoon of November 24, a sudden Arctic front swept through the city, dropping temperatures to -4°C and blanketing the airport in a thick, fluffy layer. Athletic Bilbao’s staff had been monitoring the forecast, but the snow arrived faster—and heavier—than expected. "We packed for rain," one player reportedly told local reporters. "Not for a snow globe." The players, many of whom had never experienced snow in November, were visibly stunned. Some stood frozen at the top of the jetway, staring at the white ground. Then, as if on cue, midfielder Ander Barrenetxea scooped up a handful and lobbed it at teammate Unai Simón. The goalkeepers didn’t hesitate to retaliate. Within minutes, the entire squad was in motion—snowballs flying, helmets off, laughter echoing across the tarmac.

The Pressure Valve Before the Big Game

This wasn’t just a moment of fun. It was a psychological reset. Athletic Bilbao, under manager Ernesto Valverde, had lost two of their last three La Liga matches and were struggling to find rhythm. Their Champions League campaign, already hanging by a thread, needed a spark. With just three points from four group games, they sat 27th overall—barely ahead of hosts SK Slavia Prague, who had two points and were 30th. This match, scheduled for Tuesday, November 25, at Sinobo Stadium, was effectively a must-win.

"It’s the kind of thing you don’t plan," said Valverde after the match. "But sometimes, you need to be reminded you’re not just machines. These boys needed to feel alive again." The snowball fight, he added, was "the best pre-match briefing we’ve had all season."

Slavia Prague’s Perspective

For SK Slavia Prague, the scene was a gift. The Czech side, riding high on a 10-match unbeaten streak in the Czech First League, had been bracing for a physically dominant, disciplined Athletic side. What they got instead was a team visibly loosened by the unexpected snowfall.

"They looked like they’d won already," said Slavia captain Tomáš Holeš after training on Monday. "Not because of how they played, but because of how they were smiling. We knew we had to bring the fire." Slavia’s coach, Michal Bílek, reportedly told his players: "They’re having fun. We’re here to win. Let’s make them remember why they came here."

The Match That Followed

The next day, November 25, 2025, at Sinobo Stadium, the atmosphere was electric. Slavia opened the scoring in the 12th minute through a clever counterattack. But Athletic, visibly energized by their morning antics, equalized in the 37th minute with a stunning 25-yard strike from Jon Rauch. The second half saw frantic chances on both sides, but neither could break through. The final whistle blew 1-1.

The draw kept Athletic alive in the group—still one point ahead of Slavia—but their fate now hinges on their final match against Bayern Munich. For Slavia, it was a moral victory: they’d held their own against one of Spain’s most storied clubs on home soil.

Why This Moment Matters

In an era where footballers are often portrayed as distant, over-managed athletes, this moment stood out. No social media stunt. No corporate sponsor logo in frame. Just 23 men, exhausted from travel, caught off guard by winter—and choosing joy over stress.

It’s a reminder that even at the highest level, football is still played by humans. And sometimes, the best preparation isn’t tactics or video analysis. It’s snowballs.

What’s Next for Athletic Bilbao?

Athletic Bilbao’s final group stage match is against Bayern Munich on December 10, 2025, in Bilbao. A win, combined with a Slavia loss or draw against Benfica, could still send them through. But they’ll need to recapture the discipline they’ve lost in recent weeks. Valverde has already hinted at tactical changes, possibly shifting to a 4-2-3-1 to add more control in midfield.

For now, though, the image that defines their Champions League campaign won’t be of a goal or a tackle. It’ll be that tarmac—snow flying, smiles wide, and the sound of laughter echoing under a Prague sky.