29 million Norwegian kroner. A huge payout for a Norwegian elite league club. For Bodø/Glimt, a recognition of thousands of hours over several years that have been put in by club management, players, coaches, enthusiasts, volunteers, supporters and partners. The Bodø/Glimt phenomenon is causing a stir throughout Europe, the question is still being asked: “This should not be possible, should it?!”
In football Europe, you look at the size of the clubs, the budgets, the facilities, the stardom and the league. With this perspective, Bodø/Glimt will not succeed as they do. Okay, the Norwegian club has shown they can fight their way to the quarter-finals of the Conference League, but the same in the Europa League?!
Those who work every single day, or every single match day to create the right working conditions for success at Bodø/Glimt, know better. It is the hours that are put in, the unity, common goals, a management that does not wobble, continuity, sobriety, realistic but hairy long-term goals and – joy – that have sent Bodø/Glimt to league gold, after league gold, “impossible” victories against European big clubs and now the quarter-finals of the Europa League against Lazio. On the way to the final.
For Norway, this is the first time a Norwegian club has made it to the quarter-finals of one of the top two tournaments in Europe since Rosenborg’s Champions League adventure against Juventus in the 1996/97 season. For those who experienced this Norwegian phenomenon up close, much of the same is discovered as the whole of Bodø now gathers around Bodø/Glimt.
The Bodø/Glimt phenomenon is the result of thousands of hours put into what matters. Now it’s the Lazio gang who will feel this.
