Bodo/Glimt: The Golden Dream in the Arctic

Bodo/Glimt has crafted one of the most extraordinary tales in Champions League history, by beating the current runner-up Inter Milan in both playoff matches with a 5-2 aggregate score to advance to the last 16 on their debut appearance.

Bodo/Glimt only gained widespread recognition after crushing AS Roma 6-1 in the 2021 Conference League, becoming the first team to score six goals against a side managed by coach Jose Mourinho. They have also recently defeated giants like Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, but the feat of beating Inter in both legs still defies anyone's imagination. This achievement marks the first time since the 1987-88 season that a Norwegian club has won a knockout round in the European Cup/Champions League. Bodo/Glimt has become the first club outside the "big five" leagues (England, Spain, Germany, Italy, France) to secure four consecutive victories against representatives from this group since the legendary Ajax of the 1970s.

Nearly a decade ago, this club from the small Arctic town of Bodo, with just 55,000 inhabitants, was struggling in the Norwegian second division. However, they have won the Norwegian league title four times since 2020 and last season became the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a European competition (Europa League). This success did not come from a miracle but was built on a persistent, consistent philosophy under the guidance of coach Kjetil Knutsen, who has been with the club since 2018 and recently extended his contract until 2029.

Knutsen was pursued by many major clubs but chose to stay. For him, people matter more than titles. "The joy of winning together is what truly matters," he once shared. At Bodo, he has built an environment where the collective comes first, and each individual thrives within a tight-knit group.

Playmaker Jens Petter Hauge is a living testament. Having played for Milan at age 20 before drifting through Germany and Belgium, the 26-year-old returned home and found his best form. The six goals he has scored in this season's Champions League are not just statistics; they symbolize the spirit of "returning to flourish."

Beyond the professional aspect with an astute "know yourself, know your opponent" style of play, Bodo/Glimt also draws attention for its unique psychological approach. Specialist Bjorn Mannsverk, a former fighter pilot, joined the club in 2017 and introduced meditation methods, focusing on the "process" rather than mere results. This mindset helps the relatively unknown yellow-shirted players remain calm in the most intense moments against Europe's biggest clubs.

Their home ground, Aspmyra, with its artificial turf and near-year-round cold weather, is no small advantage for Bodo/Glimt, but now it is merely an added spice to the team's already proven strength. They have shown they can win away from home, having defeated giants Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan right at their opponents' fortresses.

Hauge and his teammates' next opponent could be Manchester City or Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon. Bodo/Glimt have already beaten Manchester City, and Sporting is clearly not rated as highly as the English giant. The whole of Norway is cheering for them. Fans are so enthusiastic that they have even suggested calling up the entire Bodo/Glimt squad to the Norwegian national team for the 2026 World Cup, showing how beloved and respected they are.

No matter where their Champions League journey ends, the heroic saga of Bodo/Glimt has already been written. And in the freezing Arctic winter nights, that golden dream continues to burn brightly.