Bodø/Glimt have managed something that no other Norwegian team has done. – They have made it to the semi-finals of the Europa League where they face Premier League club Tottenham.
The Norwegian Football Association, in consultation with Norsk Toppfotball, Fotball Media and rights holder TV 2, has actually had to discuss moving the matches here at home in the Eliteserien.
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Bodø/Glimt have impressed the whole world after knocking out Roma club Lazio in the quarter-finals.
«From comeback to a joke«. « Lazio, what a nightmare!”. “Lazio! That’s how you throw it away!”. The Italian media was not merciful when Lazio defended Italy’s pride in the Europa League against Bodø/Glimt. In Rome, the club from the north had no advantages, now Italian football was going to show its superiority. This was a historic evening in the Eternal City, but not for crying Italians.
Even with a 2-0 loss at Aspmyra, Lazio players, supporters and the Italian media were confident that the balance of power between the big club in one of the world’s best leagues and the mini-putt from the north of the Arctic circle would send Lazio on to where they deserved – in the semi-finals in Europe’s second best company. When even spring temperatures in Rome could not save Lazio after Bodø/Glimt’s end to a terrific match.
The match was followed by English journalist Andy Mitten from the renowned The Athletic. Mitten follows English clubs closely, and has seen most of the surprises in the match arena and results that in practice should not be possible. What the journalist experienced at Aspmyra last week and this spring evening in Rome clearly surpasses most of what Mitten has witnessed.
Mitten describes Glimt’s performance in the Europa League, with: “I can’t believe it’s happened. One of the greatest stories in modern football.”
It will be exciting to see what Mitten reports after two rounds with Norway’s best club.
Fredrikstad – Bodø/Glimt will be moved from Thursday 1 May to Wednesday 16 July.
Bodø/Glimt – Strømsgodset will be moved from Saturday 10 May to Wednesday 30 July.
NFF also states that if Glimt advances to the 3rd round of the Norwegian Championship, that match will be played on May 12.
“We congratulate Bodø/Glimt on a fantastic advancement and wish them the best of luck in the coming matches at the same time as we thank the clubs involved for their flexibility and accommodating,” says Nils Fisketjønn, head of the competition department at NFF.
On UEFA’s pages, you will see that Bodø/Glimt have a 44% chance of reaching the final of the Europa League, while Tottenham naturally have a 66% chance. The first match will be played in North London on 1 May, while the return leg will be played eight days later at Aspmyra.
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