The Arctic Giant Slayers: Bodo/Glimt’s Stunning Champions League Run

“Bodo is hell,” headlined Gazzetta dello Sport after the latest statement performance from Bodo/Glimt. The Norwegian side once again shook the Champions League with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the first leg of their playoff tie, extending a run that is beginning to feel legendary.

At Aspmyra Stadion, where artificial turf meets ice and Arctic winds, Manchester City have already fallen (3-1), and Atlético de Madrid were beaten 2-1 at the Metropolitano earlier in the campaign. Three consecutive wins against European heavyweights have turned the modest club from the Arctic Circle into the tournament’s most captivating story.

Before kickoff against Inter, workers cleared tons of snow from the pitch. During the match, temperatures dropped to -4°C with steady winds sweeping across the stadium. But for head coach Kjetil Knutsen, those conditions are no excuse.

“We have to do things our way, regardless of whether it’s -10 degrees,” he warned before the match. After defeating last season’s Champions League runners-up, he doubled down on that philosophy: his team must not approach the return leg in Italy thinking about defending an advantage. The mindset remains clear — attack, compete, stay true to their identity.

Inter are just the latest addition to an increasingly impressive collection of victims at Aspmyra. Roma, Besiktas, Celtic, AZ Alkmaar, Porto, and Lazio have all tasted defeat there, alongside Manchester City.

Competing in the Champions League for the first time in club history, Bodo/Glimt also became the first Norwegian side ever to win a knockout-stage match in the competition. They achieved it despite being given a 99.7% probability of elimination after Matchday 5 of the League Phase.

The context makes the achievement even more remarkable. Bodo/Glimt had not played a domestic league match for 81 days when they defeated Inter. Lacking competitive rhythm at home, yet formidable on the European stage.

In their last 44 European home matches, they have won 33, drawn two, and lost nine. Aspmyra Stadion has become one of the most uncomfortable venues in continental football.

The adventure is far from over. But regardless of what happens in the return leg, Bodo/Glimt have already secured their place among the most extraordinary stories of this Champions League season.

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