North London, England — On Thursday, Bodo/Glimt, the Norwegian champions, go head-to-head with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-finals of the Europa League. The venue, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, will host the first leg of a highly anticipated match as both teams vie for a spot in the final.
Bodo/Glimt, known for their loyal fanbase and unique game day traditions, are riding high after stunning victories over notable teams in Europe, including Porto and Lazio. They stand as the first Norwegian club to reach the men’s semi-finals of a European tournament, while their coach, Kjetil Knutsen, seeks to fortify their reputation as giant-killers.
“We ball plenty and we no dey fear anybody,” said Havard Sakariassen, Bodo/Glimt’s sporting director. “We believe say we fit compete against any team, even as we dey face Tottenham for their home.”
With a remarkable record of winning eight out of their last ten two-legged ties, Bodo/Glimt is a team transformed since hiring Knutsen back in 2017. They have turned their fortunes around, rising from near bankruptcy to dominating the domestic league. “Our mentality don change,” said midfielder Ulrik Saltnes. “We fit perform well because we get the right mentality behind us.”
The club’s players embody a close-knit community in their fishing town of Bodo, located above the Arctic Circle. Chris Shaul, a supporter who has lived in Bodo for eight years, noted, “The players treat each other like family. They go out together and show the fans they care.”
Despite Bodo/Glimt’s smaller stature, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou warns against underestimating his opponents, recalling his own past encounters with their formidable record. “They’ve done well to get here,” he said. “It’s a semi-final, and they’ve proven themselves.”
While Spurs grapple with poor domestic form, sitting 16th in the Premier League, they remain hopeful for European success. Midfielder James Maddison expressed full support for Postecoglou. “He’s my gaffer, and we all behind him,” said Maddison. “We want to reward our fans this season despite the struggles we face in the league.”
Bodo/Glimt will enter the match missing some key players due to suspension, but they remain confident in their ability to challenge Tottenham. Defender Jostein Gundersen revealed their tactics, saying, “We have a plan, and we aren’t scared of the conditions. If it snows, we fit use am to our own advantage.”
The first leg promises to be an exhilarating fixture as both teams where they showcase their intentions to reach the Europa League final.
