Bodø/Glimt, the club that brought the giants to their knees in the Champions League
The modest Norwegian team made it to the Champions League Playoffs. Bodø/Glimt secured two historic victories to close out the first round
The UEFA Champions League finished the first round with a surprising overall standings. Bodø/Glimt of Norway secured their only two victories in the competition in the final two matchdays. The Norwegian side had an epic finish, humiliating some of the continent's giants. Bodø/Glimt finished 23rd in the Champions League standings. The Norwegian team finished ahead of clubs such as Benfica, Marseille, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Club Bilbao, Napoli, Ajax, Villarreal, and Eintracht Frankfurt. With a 2-1 away victory against Atletico Madrid, Bodø/Glimt secured their place in the Champions League playoff round. “We had a plan. Everyone believed in it… I’ve never shouted so loudly at a football match. This team is truly incredible. What an experience!” said Kjetil Knutsen, the club’s coach. Bodø/Glimt’s Historic Finish: In the first six Champions League matches, Bodø/Glimt had failed to secure a single victory. The Norwegian team drew 2-2 with Slavia Prague, drew 2-2 with Tottenham, lost 3-1 against Galatasaray, fell 0-1 against Monaco, was defeated 2-3 by Juventus, and drew 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund. Everything seemed to indicate that Bodø/Glimt would say goodbye to the Champions League without a single victory, considering their next opponents were Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. However, in the match against the English side, they achieved a historic 3-1 victory at home. But the job wasn't done. On the final matchday, they had to visit Atletico Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium. The "Colchoneros" needed to win to qualify directly for the Champions League round of 16. But with goals from Fredrik Sjovold and Kasper Hogt, Bodø/Glimt secured the victory and kept their hopes alive in the tournament. “I feel immensely proud. I won't compare it to anything, but we did what we know how to do. We should be extremely proud of that. The results speak for themselves,” said the coach after the match.
This is Bodø/Glimt's best performance in their entire history. The modest Norwegian club had never before played in a Champions League group stage. Bodø/Glimt is one step away from reaching the round of 16, but their potential opponents include Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
However, this shouldn't discourage the Norwegian side. Bodø/Glimt has been undefeated this season in matches against Tottenham, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid. A true giant-buster in this Champions League.

