Bodo/Glimt’s Giant-Killing Run Faces Spurs Test in Europa League Semis
Tottenham’s Europa League semi-final opponents, Bodo/Glimt, are the reigning champions of Norway and have made a surprising run to this stage of the tournament, having knocked out teams like Olympiakos and Lazio. Spurs will host the first leg on Thursday, with the second leg set to take place above the Arctic Circle on May 8.
Tottenham would be wise not to underestimate Bodo/Glimt. After all, teams like Porto, Besiktas, Olympiakos, and Lazio have all fallen to them in recent matches. Four years ago, Roma and Celtic—both managed at the time by Spurs’ current boss, Ange Postecoglou—also faced defeat at Bodo/Glimt’s hands. Their most recent triumph over Lazio was particularly historic, marking the first time a Norwegian team reached a European semi-final.
The Eliteserien champions, based above the Arctic Circle, are keen on using their home advantage against Spurs, especially considering that Tottenham’s stadium holds more spectators than Bodo’s entire population of around 55,000. Harald Sakariassen, the sporting director of Bodo/Glimt, expressed confidence going into the match. “We believe we’re able to compete with whoever we meet,” he stated. “I hope that we focus on our game and dare to be ourselves. We have the tools to be brave and just play as Bodo/Glimt.”
Sakariassen pointed to a pivotal experience from their previous matchup against Arsenal in October 2022, which they lost 3-0 during a Europa League group stage. Although disappointing, that defeat helped them learn how to handle tough away games. “I think we have cracked some of the codes regarding performance, especially when playing away,” he noted, emphasizing the need for a smart approach against strong teams.
As Spurs prepare for their challenge, they’ll face Bodo/Glimt’s 8,270-seater Aspymyra Stadion, where the artificial pitch and harsh weather conditions have posed significant problems for visiting teams. Sakariassen highlighted the bond within the team, with most players hailing from Norway. “Playing at this level in your hometown with your friends is a unique experience,” he said.
However, Bodo/Glimt is dealing with an injury crisis, losing key players like captain Patrick Berg, midfielder Hakon Evjen, and striker Andreas Helmersen to suspensions. Additionally, center-back Odin Bjortuft is an injury doubt. All four were crucial during their narrow 3-2 loss to Manchester United last November.
Looking back, Bodo/Glimt’s rise to this level seems almost like a fairytale. Sakariassen reminisced about the club’s difficult past, revealing they nearly faced bankruptcy during his playing days and once had to wash their kits. Their budget was a mere £3.6 million in 2017, while their revenue has skyrocketed to £51 million this year. “We’ve done it all without external financial help over the past 10 years,” he said, encouraging smaller clubs to find inspiration in their journey.
