Russia — but it was not because of the football.In a story that gripped readers internationally, 12 boys and their football coach were trapped in caves in Thailand for more than two weeks.It took a global rescue mission, spearheaded by expert divers, to free them from their ordeal.The tale of heroics 3km underground was quick to attract the attention of film and TV producers, with Amazon Prime the first out of the blocks with its movie Thirteen Lives hitting the streaming service earlier this year.Netflix have followed shortly behind, with dramatised mini-series Thai Cave Rescue landing on its platform on Thursday, September 22.It is a story heralded for its bravery and heroism, including from British divers, but it is also laced with sadness.On June 12, 2018, a junior football team and their assistant coach visited the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand, after a practice session.But the 12 members of the team, aged 11 to 16, and their 25-year-old coach Ekkaphon Kanthawong became trapped after heavy rainfall partially flooded the cave system, blocking their way out.The weather conditions and rains were so bad that contact was not made with the youngsters for almost two weeks.Above ground, an international operation had been co-ordinated, with 18 countries working together to save the football team, nicknamed the Wild Boars.On July 2, after advancing through narrow passages and muddy waters, British divers John Volanthen and Rick Stanton found the group alive on an elevated rock about 1.5 miles from the cave mouth.There was then a deliberation about best way to get the team out unscathed.
