This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Bodo is a well-known destination for those wanting to see the Northern Lights. Its location in the Arctic Circle provides a visual spectacle that, for both tourists and locals, almost resembles a dream. A dream that is now manifesting in the Champions League, thanks to the brilliant local team that reached the knockout stage by eliminating the giant Inter, the European runner-up, in the playoff. Bodo/Glimt's achievement stands out when noting that, in Norway, the seasons run throughout the calendar year. The team is making history even as it goes through the usual preseason period. In fact, they have only played four matches in 2026, all in the Champions League, all won: first against Manchester City (3-1), then Atlético Madrid (2-1) in Spain; followed by Inter, 3-1 in Norway and 2-1 at the legendary Giuseppe Meazza. These results are even more remarkable when exploring the environment surrounding this club. In 2017, the team was in the Norwegian second division. After a season of adaptation, Bodo has finished in the top two of the local championship since the 2019 season, winning the title four times (2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024). The lights of European competitions have thus arrived at Aspmyra Stadium, which has a capacity of 8,200 spectators and a synthetic pitch. The harsh weather conditions make it nearly impossible to have a natural pitch, and therefore UEFA allows for a synthetic one (as long as it meets certain rules). Another notable aspect of their journey is that Bodo/Glimt aims to value local and national talent: of the eleven that played in Italy this Tuesday, only two players were not Norwegian, the Russian goalkeeper Nikita Haikin and Danish forward Kasper Hogh. The first Norwegian championship title came in 2020, marking a return to European competitions – their last participation was in the UEFA Cup in the 2004/05 season. In 2021, Bodo/Glimt entered the inaugural edition of the Conference League and was in the same group as José Mourinho's Roma. The first encounter between the two was memorable for all. Playing in Norway, Roma was overwhelmed and lost 1-6, and Mourinho at the time did not shy away from taking responsibility for that defeat: "The responsibility is mine. I wanted to give an opportunity to those who work hard and to rotate the squad on a synthetic pitch in cold weather. We lost to a team that showed more quality. It's as simple as that." Mourinho would later get his revenge, eliminating Bodo/Glimt in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 5-2, before winning the competition. After this Tuesday, Sporting knows it will face one of three opponents in the Champions League round of 16: the winner of the duel between Benfica and Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegians have a very positive record against Portuguese teams dating back to last season. Right in the opening round of the Europa League group stage, FC Porto, then coached by Vítor Bruno, went to Norway and lost 2-3. Two rounds later, the Norwegian team visited Portugal and, in the City of Archbishops, defeated SC Braga 2-1, with a goal in the 90+4’. The team only fell in the semi-finals, losing to eventual winners Tottenham. Now, whether it's Sporting or Manchester City, Bodo/Glimt will certainly pose many challenges as they continue to prove that the label of favorite means almost nothing when the ball starts rolling.
Dream Started May Continue remains central to this story.
Dream Started May Continue remains central to this story.
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