It’s been about a day since the first semi-final between Bodø/Glimt and Tottenham in London. The first half was horrible from a Norwegian point of view. And it started already after 40 seconds!!
Head coach of Bodø/Glimt Kjetil Knutsen reacted strongly as he both warned against it and because it is something that they have experienced before against Manchester United. Speaking to Viaplay, he had the following to say: “We put ourselves in an extremely difficult situation again when we concede a goal after 40 seconds. It’s completely unforgivable, that is.”
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Well, the first half was clearly Tottenham’s. They went into the break with a 2 goal lead, while Bodø/Glimt really felt how much they missed some of their best players.
Patrick Berg and Håkon Evjen received too many cards in the quarter-final triumph against Lazio and were surprisingly suspended for the first semi-final match. Odin Bjørtuft had to go out against KFUM with what looked like a stretch injury.
Andreas Helmersen, the hero from Roma with the goal that led to the penalty drama, is also suspended.
Otherwise, strict quarantine rules are in favor of large clubs that have several to choose from when someone is injured or suspended.
At Aspmyra, it will not only be the possibility of snowy weather and home crowds that can bother Tottenham. Bodø/Glimt’s midfield is complete again. The BBC writes that Bodø/Glimt’s final dream lives on thanks to a late goal, they point out that Bodø/Glimt are very strong at home in Norway and that Tottenham cannot take the second leg lightly. We agree!
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The game in brief: Tottenham came out strong from the start. Before a minute had passed, Brennan Johnson headed in 1-0, after an assist from Richarlison.
The next goal came in the 34th minute, and again it was Tottenham who found the back of the net, this time via James Maddison. The score was 2-0, a score that stood until halftime.
With half an hour left in the game, Tottenham extended their lead to 3-0. They were awarded a penalty after Cristian Romero was fouled in the box. Dominic Solanke was ice-cold from eleven meters and made it 3-0.
Towards the end of the game, Bodø/Glimt got new hope. Ulrik Saltnes reduced the score to 3-1 in the 83rd minute – and the result stood in the end. Now it “only” remains to equalize two goals in the second leg, which will be played over the Arctic Circle in Norway on Thursday next week. And Bodø/Glimt is, as you know, a feared home team in Nordland.
“A missed opportunity for Tottenham to decide the game,” said Rob Green on the BBC.
Despite the late goal, Brennan Johnson was in a good mood when he met the media. “We are satisfied. If we had been told before the game that we were going to lead by two goals, we would have been happy. They are tough. There’s a reason why they’ve beaten other teams and made it to the semi-finals. A bit disappointing to concede a goal in the end, but all in all we are satisfied”.
We still believe in a final between Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt. – And a little advice. Start playing football when the flow is going.
Bodø/Glimt have not had time to write anything about the match yet on their pages.
We in Sporten.com believe in 4 – 2 to Bodø/Glimt after regular time and victory in overtime.
