Inside the FK Bodo/Glimt dressing room full of ‘mates' out to shock Tottenham
Bodo/Glimt, hailing from a town within the Arctic Circle, are dreaming big and want to become the first Norwegian club to reach a European final.
Their sporting director, Havard Sakariassen, acknowledges the David vs. Goliath nature of the upcoming Europa League semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, but maintains his team is capable of another shock victory.
Having already overcome Lazio, Olympiacos, and Twente in this season's competition, Bodo/Glimt now sets its sights on the struggling club in North London.
The first leg of the semi-final takes place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday, a venue that could comfortably accommodate the entire 55,000 population of Bodo.
Sakariassen emphasises the close-knit nature of his team with everyone friendly with each other. It's a group of players that rose from the second tier of Norwegian football eight years ago and he believes they are more than capable of defying the odds, particularly given their development since their two losses to Arsenal in 2022.
This growth, coupled with their unique team dynamic, makes them a formidable opponent, ready to challenge Tottenham's European aspirations.
'For us every game is learning and we have played a lot of difficult games against good teams in Europe since we played Arsenal some years ago,' ex-Bodo forward Sakariassen said.
'Also I think we have cracked some codes regarding performance, especially away – to be more cynical, not to be naive going to play against good teams in Europe.
'That's also a key element of the success of Bodo/Glimt. The stability and continuity of both staff and players over the last years.
'We have some of the guys in our team, Patrick Berg, Fredrik Andre Bjorkan, Jens Petter Hauge, Hakon Evjen, who have left us and tried the other side going to European clubs.
'I think it has a value in itself, in your life, to be able to play at this level in your home town, also with your friends. So, I think the culture in the club here is something they really enjoy.
'Also of course, over the years, we have become competitive in Scandinavia regarding salaries and the business part of it, but I think it has to be rare to be able to play football with your mates at this level anywhere in Europe and that has a value.'
Before Tottenham experience the 8,270-seater Aspmyra Stadion, where Jose Mourinho's Roma were stunned 6-1 in 2021 and Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has tasted defeat with Celtic, Bodo arrive in London ready to take inspiration from the achievements of Norway's national team.
Sakariassen has strong memories of Norway's 1-1 draw with England at Wembley in 1992 and knows the sort of reaction a Bodo upset would produce.
'I live in a small bubble here in Bodo/Glimt, just trying to take care of my job and be a part of the team around the team, but of course, if a Norwegian team got to a European final, that would be a big happening that is for sure,' Sakariassen said.
'The (England) game I remember was we played at Wembley, we needed a result. I think it was early 90s and (Kjetil) Rekdal scored a goal from 25 metres.
'That was a big thing then and it would be a big thing today if we manage to go through the semi-finals, but I don't believe anyone in the team or around the team has any focus on the final.
'I think we will have the same belief that we had against Olympiacos, Lazio, Twente. It is not an easy way to play Tottenham. I hope that we don't focus on the occasion and that we play the game and dare to be ourselves.
'It is a massive game, the interest around the club and around the games are massive here in Bodo too.
'Of course the experience that we have gained over the last years makes us more confident in situations like this. I truly believe in the team and hope we make two great performances against Tottenham.'
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