Rediscovering Bodø/Glimt: history, facts, and that previous meeting in the Cup Winners' Cup

Inter have been drawn to face Bodø/Glimt in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League play-offs. The Nerazzurri, who finished 10th in the league phase, will take on the Norwegian side, who secured 23rd place with nine points. It promises to be an intriguing tie, with Cristian Chivu’s team up against a rapidly rising club ready to test itself once more on the European stage.

THE PREVIOUS MEETING

This will not be the first encounter between the two sides. They previously met in the Round of 16 of the 1978/79 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, when the Norwegian side made their debut at San Siro. It was a one-sided affair. Inter, coached by Eugenio Bersellini, won 5–0 in the first leg in Milan thanks to goals from Evaristo Beccalossi, a hat-trick from Alessandro Altobelli and a late strike by Riccardo Muraro. The return leg also went Inter’s way: after an early Norwegian lead, Altobelli scored from the penalty spot and Giuseppe Scanziani sealed a 2–1 victory.

BODØ/GLIMT'S ROOTS

Bodø/Glimt are one of the fastest-rising forces in Norwegian football, climbing back from relegation in 2016 to win the national title in 2020. The club represents Bodø in northern Norway: a town of around 50,000 people just above the Arctic Circle that rebuilt itself after the Second World War and was named European Capital of Culture in 2024. The name reflects the club’s identity: Glimt means “flash” or “lightning”, symbolising the energy and pace that define their style of play. In European competition, Bodø/Glimt have often faced several Italian opponents before, including Napoli, Sampdoria, Roma, Lazio and Juventus. Their home matches are played at the Aspmyra Stadion, an 8,276-seat stadium with artificial turf and under-soil heating, designed to withstand the harsh northern climate.

BODØ/GLIMT'S JOURNEY

Qualifying for the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League marked a historic milestone for Bodø/Glimt — unthinkable just a few years ago when the club was close to bankruptcy. From community fundraising to donations from local fishermen and sports clubs, Bodø/Glimt survived thanks to the support of their town. They won their first Eliteserien title in 2020 and added three more by 2024. In the most recent season they finished second, just one point behind champions Viking. Their European rise has been equally remarkable. Last season they reached the Europa League semi-finals, where their run ended against Tottenham Hotspur.

Today, Bodø/Glimt are the most financially stable club in Norway’s top flight, built on youth development, identity and hard work rather than big spending. The architect of this transformation is head coach Kjetil Knutsen, in charge since 2018. Knutsen reshaped the club’s mentality, prioritising player development and mental preparation, supported by a specialised staff. The squad remains largely Norwegian, with many players developed locally.

Their European campaign began in the qualifiers with a dominant 5–0 first-leg win over Sturm Graz. Despite a 2–1 defeat in Austria, they progressed comfortably on aggregate. In the League Phase, Bodø/Glimt showed personality and resilience. They drew 2–2 away to Slavia Prague and held Tottenham to the same scoreline at home. Defeats followed against Galatasaray (3–1 away), Monaco (1–0 at home) and Juventus (3–2 at home). However, they finished strongly: a 2–2 draw away to Borussia Dortmund, followed by impressive wins against Manchester City (3–1 at home) and Atlético Madrid (2–1 away), results that underline the remarkable growth of a club now capable of competing with Europe’s elite.