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| Why Tottenham Shouldn’t Underestimate Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League Semifinals. |
Tottenham Hotspur fans might have breathed a sigh of relief when Lazio got knocked out of the Europa League. A trip to Rome’s intimidating Stadio Olimpico turned into a journey to the quiet, snowy town of Bodø in Norway. Sounds easier, right? Not so fast.
On paper, Bodø/Glimt might look like underdogs. They’re not a European giant, and their town could only fill about two-thirds of Spurs' stadium. But underestimating this Norwegian side could be a serious mistake. They’ve proven time and again that they deserve their place among Europe’s best this season.
A Team Full of Surprises
Let’s start with their backstory. This is a club whose fans once brought giant yellow toothbrushes to games, honoring a fan from the 70s who asked for a megaphone and got a toothbrush instead. They've even thrown fishcakes on the pitch to protest VAR. Yes, they’re quirky—but they’re also deadly serious on the field.
Bodø/Glimt’s journey to the Europa League semifinals is historic—not just for the club, but for all of Norwegian football. No Norwegian team has ever gone this far in a European tournament.
Their Resume Speaks Volumes
Don’t be fooled by their underdog status. Bodø/Glimt have dominated the Norwegian Eliteserien in recent years, winning four of the last five titles and finishing second in the other. They’ve taken down big names on the way to the semifinals—beating the likes of Porto, Twente, Besiktas, Olympiakos, and most recently, Lazio.
Their first-leg performance against Lazio was especially impressive. They won the expected goals battle 3.02 to 0.38 and should have put the tie away before the second leg. Even when things got tough in Rome, they fought back with a 109th-minute equalizer and held their nerve in a penalty shootout.
Dominant at Home
Since last May, Bodø/Glimt have only lost twice at home across all competitions. Their pitch might be artificial, and the weather might be cold, but those conditions have become a fortress for them. In the Champions League qualifiers, they went unbeaten at home before falling short away to Crvena zvezda.
A Tactical, Patient Team
Bodø/Glimt aren’t just gritty—they’re smart. They average 51.8% possession in the Europa League and complete 437 passes per game. Only five teams complete more. Their build-up play is patient and effective, with open-play passing sequences averaging 11.6 seconds—second only to Manchester United.
But they’re not slow and predictable. They also know how to attack directly, averaging 2.0 direct attacks per game—the highest in the tournament. They've scored more goals (five) from those attacks than anyone else.
Dangerous Players Across the Pitch
From winger Jens Petter Hauge’s dribbling (5.9 attempts, 2.4 successful per 90 minutes) to left-back Fredrik Bjørkan’s aggressive runs (2.1 successful dribbles per 90), their left flank is a constant threat. They’re also lethal from corners—scoring more goals from set pieces than any other team in the competition.
Although they take fewer shots than most teams (ranked 25th of 36), they make their chances count. Their expected goals (xG) per shot of 0.13 is among the best in the Europa League. No wonder they average 1.9 goals per game—fourth best in the tournament. Striker Kasper Høgh leads the goal tally with seven.
Setbacks Before the Semis
That said, Bodø/Glimt will be missing key players for the first leg in London. Captain and set-piece specialist Patrick Berg, midfielder Håkon Evjen, and impact sub Andreas Helmersen are all suspended. Center-back Odin Bjørtuft is nursing a groin injury, and winger Ole Didrik Blomberg hasn't played since the Lazio game.
These absences could hurt them. Beating Spurs—especially away—will be their toughest challenge yet. But if this season has taught us anything, it’s that Bodø/Glimt are more than capable of beating the odds.
Don’t Count Them Out
Tottenham might think they got lucky avoiding Lazio, but underestimating Bodø/Glimt would be a huge mistake. This is a team that’s full of fight, quality, and confidence. They’ve already taken down bigger names—and they could do it again.
If Spurs aren’t careful, the story of this Europa League season could be written in Norwegian yellow.
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