logo
Tottenham's trip to the Arctic Circle: Why Spurs fear a giant-killing in town of 40,000 where fans are trading tickets for fish and reindeer meat

Tottenham's trip to the Arctic Circle: Why Spurs fear a giant-killing in town of 40,000 where fans are trading tickets for fish and reindeer meat

Daily Mail​08-05-2025

Having secured a 3-1 lead in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt, many would make Tottenham clear favourites to progress past their Norwegian opponents and take a major step towards silverware.
There are some, however, who are fearing Ange Postecoglou 's side could become the latest to suffer a giant killing on a unique trip into the Arctic Circle.
In 10 home ties in this European campaign, which started in July in the Champions League qualifiers, the Norwegian champions have won nine.
This has included victories against established clubs such as Lazio, Olympiacos, Twente, Besiktas and Red Star. Three years ago, they beat Roma 6-1 after knocking out Postecoglou's Celtic.
Part of their success in Europe, where they have won 28 of their last 34 home games, has been put down to the artificial surface at the 8,270-capacity Aspmyra Stadium in the Norwegian fishing town.
'We are a good football team first and foremost. Like most teams, we are better at home than away,' said Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen.
'The grass we have is what we play on. It's due to the climate. And the more you play on it the better you get. At home, over time, we have learned to trust in ourselves. It's a good pitch and good players can easily adapt.'
Despite struggling on a artificial pitch in an FA Cup third round tie at non-league Tamworth in January, Postecoglou's side opted to only train on a plastic surface on Wednesday at the Norwegian side's stadium.
Tottenham do look set to benefit from warmer weather conditions than many of the sides to have fallen to Bodo/Glimt so far in Europe.
Sub-zero temperatures had led to snow needing to be cleared in the build-up to their quarter-final tie against Lazio last month. However, the temperature is expected to be around 5C by kick-off time, although Spurs may have to tackle windy conditions due to the town's location on the coast.
While the conditions might be more hospitable, some locals made an attempt to create some unease for their Premier League visitors by setting off fireworks outside the Tottenham hotel at around 2.37am.
'The perpetrators were observed running from the scene,' a police statement read. 'When the police arrived they found several rocket batteries. Some were not lit.
'These were taken by the police, in order to maintain peace and order.'
With the fishing town of Bodo, located around 1,000 kilometres north of the capital Olso, having a population of around 40,000 the club's rise over recent years has been remarkable.
Ulrik Saltnes, who scored their crucial late goal in the first leg, claimed earlier this year that the club was effectively semi-professional when he signed in 2011 but is now run like an elite outfit.
Having been relegated to the second tier in 2017, the club bounced back the following year before emerging as Norway's dominant force by claiming the domestic title in 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024.
The appointment of a former Norwegian Air Force pilot, Bjørn Mannsverk, as a mental coach in 2017 was reportedly a key moment.
Mannsverk told the Associated Press his role was to help players talk openly about their feelings and reduce stress levels, having found the the squad suffered from 'a collective mental breakdown' in matches during their relegation season.
Mannsverk, whose duties in the Norwegian air force took him to Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks and to Libya for a NATO-led intervention in 2011, explained his squadron had been subject to a mental training project in 2010 where the focus was on meditation and 'every day repeating boring stuff, but with 100 per cent attention.'
The training reportedly helped them perform dangerous missions in Libya, with his squadron's mantra of 'train as you intend to fight' working.
'Even though I got strong feelings when my first bombs hit the target and it was in infernal flames and fragments and everything,' Mannsverk said. 'It was like, "My training said that it´s OK, this is happening, recognize that, but know I have to return and do my job."'
Mannsverk would move across to Bodo/Glimt to help improve the team's 'mental conditioning', with members of the club's leadership coming across the squadron due the town until recently being home to a NATO air base.
Mannsverk's techniques - which include meditation, one-on-one sessions and group meetings - were said to have helped Saltnes overcome stress-related stomach issues that flared up around matches, with the midfielder having previously considered retiring.
As the club have enjoyed domestic success and have made strides in Europe in recent years, they have also sought to make an impact away from the football pitch.
Since 2019, the club have had a project titled Action Now which has attempted to raise awareness of key issues such as climate change and promote sustainable practices.
All members of the club are involved in the project, with the club's academy teams - down to their under-13s - choosing specific sustainability goals to support each season.
Activities have included clearing up beaches and raising awareness of reducing the amount of plastic in the oceans.
The club have had Action Now featured on their kits, which the club state have been produced by Puma with sustainable materials.
Given the appetite to watch the semi-final, locals have been battling in any way they can to secure tickets for Thursday night's match, with some selling fish and reindeer meat in order to get a seat.
Torbjorn Eide, a production boss at a fish farm in Torsken, told Norway's state broadcaster NRK that he offered five kilograms of semi-fried boknafisk for a ticket. The haul of fish, worth around £181, managed to tempt a fellow fan into giving up their seat.
'We produce Norway's best bokna fish, and it may not be possible to get it in Bodo city (which is eight hours away). So I thought maybe someone would like it, Eide said.
'You know, those of us who work in fishing are often creative. I didn't really think it would work, but then a guy showed up who wanted to try boknafisk.'
Boknafish, which is typically cod, is partially dried in the cold outdoors and is a traditional dish in northern Norway.
Oystein Aanes, who bought the fish, told NRK: 'It was just a funny thing. The ticket was actually for my brother, who was supposed to travel from Oslo, but he didn't make it anyway.
'I've never bought bokna fish before, I don't even know how to prepare it. The fish is for my mother, so she can take care of it.'
Another fan, Nils Erik Oskal, was inspired by the fish trade so thought he would try his luck with reindeer meat.
'I was number 40,000 in the queue or something. I had some extra meat to spare,' he told NRK.
'I thought it must be possible to do it with reindeer meat. Someone was munching on it. It didn't take long. It wasn't a cheap ticket considering what reindeer meat usually costs. But it's really the same thing, I get to experience something great.'
Fans will look to cheer on Bodo/Glimt players with giant yellow toothbrushes, which became a tradition association with the club back in the 1970s
For those lucky enough to get a ticket, the likelihood is they will be waving one a giant yellow toothbrush, something that has been a tradition at the club since the 1970s.
The tradition emerged after the country's biggest dental company Jordan offered fans a sponsorship, after spotting how fan leaders had used toothbrushes to conduct singing.
Bodo/Glimt typically give a normal sized yellow toothbrush to the visiting team's captain ahead of matches. In the absence of Son Heung-min due to injury, that honour looks set to fall to Cristian Romero.
Tottenham will be hoping it will be a token on a successful journey to Bilbao, while Bodo/Glimt aim to make it the last prized possession Spurs receive in the competition this year.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tierney names four Celtic men he kept in touch with after 2019 exit
Tierney names four Celtic men he kept in touch with after 2019 exit

The Herald Scotland

time31 minutes ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Tierney names four Celtic men he kept in touch with after 2019 exit

Tierney spent six years in North London, making 144 appearances in red and white, winning an FA Cup and two Community Shields. Read more: Throughout his spell south of the border, though, he remained in contact with some key Celtic men: Brendan Rodgers, John Kennedy, James Forrest and Callum McGregor. "I spoke with the manager, and obviously I had worked with the gaffer before and I've always kept in touch with him," said Tierney [ "He's one of the best so I'm so lucky and grateful that he's given me the chance to come back again. "He never had to convince me much but it's just a huge bonus that he's the manager because I loved working with him. He knows how to get the best out of me, and I just loved my time under him. "He's a great person that I've always kept in touch with, John Kennedy as well, who is also someone I've kept in touch with and who I still meet regularly when I'm back, and Cal and Jamesy, who I've been close with now since I was 17." Tierney has penned a five-year deal at Parkhead, committing his long-term future to the club. He already has 170 Celtic appearances to his name, a number he will undoubtedly look to build upon in the coming half-decade.

Magic Kieran Tierney moments Celtic fans want to see again including A&E dash, megaphone chats and 40 yard rockets
Magic Kieran Tierney moments Celtic fans want to see again including A&E dash, megaphone chats and 40 yard rockets

Daily Record

time33 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Magic Kieran Tierney moments Celtic fans want to see again including A&E dash, megaphone chats and 40 yard rockets

Hoops fans are welcoming back their hero and Record Sport looks back at the times that made the defender a favourite Celtic fans are celebrating the return of Kieran Tierney and they are hoping the rampaging fullback can pick up where he left off at Parkhead. The 28-year-old left a modern day legend five-and-a-half years ago when Arsenal made an offer the club and player couldn't refuse. ‌ But he departed having made some incredible history – and picked up a ton of silverware. ‌ There's a reason Tierney is a fans' favourite and here six of his best memorable moments as supporters prepare for more. Mega man When Hoops fans picture Tierney, there is one image that sticks in their minds more than most – the scenes with the star and the megaphone. The defender was worshiped in the stands, and no more so than by the punters packed in the standing section. They knew Tierney would more than likely be in there with them if he wasn't on the pitch. ‌ And the connection was witnessed like never before when he went into the stands to pick up a megaphone to lead the sing-song celebrations after lifting the Premiership title in 2017. He repeated the trick at Hampden after the League Cup Final win six months later and a legend was born. Tierney said: 'It was seriously like an out-of-body experience. I've got the megaphone and I'm leading the chants with people I used to actually sit in the stands with. That is fairytale stuff.' ‌ Hampden heroics Tierney wowed the punters with his displays on the pitch in his time at Celtic – but it was a huge act off it that endeared him even more to the supporters. The Scottish Cup Final in 2017 could have been a nightmare for the full back as he was forced off inside the opening few minutes after taking a hefty blow in the mouth thanks to an elbow from Aberdeen's Jayden Stockley. ‌ Tierney was whisked away to hospital while the action raged on, with docs fearing a broken jaw at worst and several smashed teeth at best. But instead of sticking on the gurney and putting the feet up, KT checked himself out and headed back to the National Stadium – where he arrived in time to see Tom Rogic's dramatic winner to clinch the invincible Treble and then take part in all the post match celebrations. Even a bloody mouth didn't hold him back. ‌ Sharp shooter Tierney's attacking displays down the left led to a ton of goals for others but he had to wait a while to open his own account. He finally hit the net on trophy day at the end of his first full campaign, as Celts rounded off with a 7-0 victory against Motherwell as boss Ronny Delia said his goodbyes. Incredibly, for a player with a wicked left peg, it was his right foot that got him up and running, as he cut inside from the flank and buried in the bottom corner. ‌ Blast from the past Tierney got into a tie habit of notching from time to time and followed that debut season with a neat header in Inverness and a thumping strike against Ross County. But there's one strike that stands out from the lot – THAT hit against Kilmarnock. ‌ KT was never shy at having a pop but not many expected him to let go when he picked up the ball 45 yards from goal. Instead, he set himself and unleashed a rocket that screamed all the way into the top corner. It was one of those goals where the cheers don't come straight away. There's almost a pause as supporters can't quite believe what they've seen – and then there was the eruption. ‌ Pittodrie powerhouse There were too many top performances to mention, with star turns in thumping wins over Rangers and class displays on an almost weekly basis. But a couple of games in the Granite City also stood out – and summed him up. In a 3-0 win at Pittodrie Tierney raced 70 yards up the pitch to get on the end of an Olivier Ntcham cutback to score. ‌ And there was another lung burster later in the game when he dashed forward and picked out Moussa Dembele. The away support will remember the later clash though when Celts were 1-0 but down to 10 men and KT went on another charge the length of the pitch before slamming into the top corner to seal the victory. ‌ Eur up to the job It was quickly clear Tierney was top notch in Scotland with his displays on a weekly basis. Yet he enhanced his reputation even further with his performances in Europe. There was a goal in a Europa League victory against RB Leipzig in Rodgers' third campaign. It was the showing against Manchester City in his first taste of Parkhead in the Champions League where he really looked the real deal. Celts went toe-to-toe with the English big guns in Glasgow and KT was one of the stars of the show. He ran at the City backline all night and defended like his life depended on it at the other end. UEFA decided Raheem Sterling had scored an own goal in the 3-3 epic, but it was all down to Tierney as he proved he was cut out to play at the very top.

Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds legend - 'Really, really poor!'
Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds legend - 'Really, really poor!'

Daily Mirror

time34 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Man Utd kicked while they're down by Leeds legend - 'Really, really poor!'

Stuart Dallas has given his opinion of Manchester United after the club suffered a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League and missed out on the Europa League title to Tottenham Stuart Dallas has said that Manchester United have been "really, really poor" this season, as the Red Devils lick their wounds from a devastating 2024/25 campaign. New boss Ruben Amorim was unable to turn the tide at Old Trafford after taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, guiding the club to a record-low 15th-place finish in the Premier League standings. While the Red Devils looked to save an otherwise catastrophic campaign via better performances in Europe, a 1-0 loss to a similarly struggling Tottenham Hotspur in last month's Europa League final only served as further embarrassment for the once-titans of English football. And now Dallas, who made a name for himself with Leeds United between 2015 and 2024, has given his synopsis as to what is going on at Old Trafford at present. Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the Leeds American Golf for the #RifeDontMiss putting challenge, he said: "It's mad as well to think that, isn't it? "The two clubs together are so far down the league. Spurs have obviously been decimated with injuries. It's been really, really difficult for them. "Their style of play, on their day when it clicks, they're a really, really good team. You can see what their DNA is, but Man Utd, on the other hand, I'm still yet to be convinced of what their actual DNA is. I don't see any change from a couple of things, but in general it's been really, really poor for them." Dallas also pondered whether a Europa League title was enough to argue that Spurs have had a successful season, given that the Lilywhites finished two places lower than United in the Premier League standings. He added: "It's mad to think that they were both European finalists as well and Spurs have obviously come out on top. "I don't know, is it a successful season for Tottenham? They've won the European Cup and they've got Champions League football. It's bragging rights over Arsenal. " Arsenal have obviously had a fantastic season. They've come second, but they haven't won a Cup and they're in the Champions League. Spurs have won a Cup and are in the Champions League." Spurs are currently on the hunt for a new manager in the wake of parting ways with Ange Postecoglou earlier this month, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank looking increasingly likely to take tenure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for 2025/26. Manchester United, meanwhile, are currently undergoing major revamps to their current squad with hopes that a summer transfer window and a full pre-season campaign can be a game-changer for Amorim. The Red Devils have already struck a £62.5million deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in the first of two windows, as they continue to look to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo. United reportedly saw their initial £55m bid for Mebeumo rejected, but reports suggest that the club are still keen on landing the talent this summer. Elsewhere, the club are also currently linked with the likes of Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Barcelona shot stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen. On the flip side, the club recently announced that Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof are among the stars on their way out the doors of Old Trafford as their contracts expire. Dallas was speaking exclusively to Mirror Football at the second #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store