Latest news with #Bjortuft
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Bodo/Glimt star says Spurs not prepared for 'big disadvantage' in crunch Europa League clash
Odin Bjortuft has said Bodo/Glimt's plastic pitch can have a huge say on Europa League semi-final as Tottenham Hotspur head to the Arctic Circle with a 3-1 lead ODIN Bjortuft reckons Bodo/Glimt's plastic pitch can derail Tottenham's dream. Spurs arrive in the Arctic Circle with a two-goal advantage but defender Bjortuft, who is set to return having been sidelined by a minor injury last week, says Ange Postecoglou's team could struggle with the pace of their all-weather surface at the 8,000-capacity Aspmyra Stadion. Bodo have won six of their seven home games in the competition and train on the pitch daily. And some Spurs stars may still be scarred by their previous experience of an artificial surface this season, when they needed extra-time to beat non-League Tamworth in the FA Cup. 'There's no doubt it is an advantage for us,' Bjortuft said. 'I don't think a lot of teams are prepared for what's coming. I think it's a combination [of things]. The ball goes really fast when you play passes and it's more difficult for defenders reaching attackers and getting contact with us. That's what we benefit from in these games. 'Of course, it's a big difference between artificial and grass in many ways but the main key is that the ball goes so fast. It may be harder to turn and everything for players that are not used to it.' Bjortuft has added motivation because he grew up as a fan of likely final opponents Manchester United. The centre-back regularly visited Old Trafford with his dad as a youngster and went to school 'every day' wearing the club's kit. But having already had 'an experience I'll never forget' by playing at Old Trafford during the league phase - when Bodo led early on before losing 3-2 - the opportunity to battle Ruben Amorim's side for major silverware would top the lot. 'It is pretty surreal. It's quite fun to think about the little boy who wore a United kit to school every day. 'I'm really proud and grateful that we have reached this level and managed to achieve this stuff. This will be a big moment for my whole life. I'll remember this moment forever and I'm really grateful for it. 'For us Norwegians growing up we always watch English football, everyone does worldwide, so it's special. But at the same time, we just have to treat it as a normal match. It may be hard, but I think we have cracked the code.'
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Tottenham opponents Bodo/Glimt in chaos as they face missing HALF their team for crunch Europa League clash
TOTTENHAM'S Europa League semi-final opponents Bodo/Glimt face an absentee crisis ahead of Thursday's first-leg showdown. The Norwegian champions are already without three players due to suspension, including influential skipper Patrick Berg. 4 4 4 But now they are sweating on injuries to key centre-back Odin Bjortuft and winger Ole Blomberg. Ever-present Bjortuft, 26, was forced off early in the second half of Bodo's 3-0 league win over KFUM on Sunday with a groin complaint. Bodo boss Kjetil Knutsen said after the game: 'I do not know anything. I never enjoy a player laying down, but the medical staff are looking into it.' Bjortuft is now a doubt for this week's trip to North London, along with wideman Blomberg who missed the KFUM game completely due to an injury picked up earlier this month. Skipper Berg, 27, is banned, due to too many yellow cards, along with midfield partner Hakon Evjen and striker Andreas Helmersen. The latter netted a crucial goal in the quarter-final triumph over Italian giants Lazio, which added to their impressive list of scalps this season. Knutsen's side have already beaten Olympiacos, FC Twente and Besiktas this season. While they also gave potential final opponents Manchester United a scare by going 2-1 up at Old Trafford in November, only to lose 3-2 thanks to a Rasmus Hojlund double. Bodo's domestic campaign has only just kicked off, but they are unbeaten in four league games, winning three of them. Spurs' season - and possibly the future of boss Ange Postecoglou - hinges on them going all the way in Europe. That is after an horrendous league term where they have lost NINETEEN games, with their latest disasterclass coming at Anfield on Sunday where a 5-1 thrashing handed Liverpool the title. Postecoglou has been without multiple key players due to injury this season but goes into the Bodo game only worrying about the fitness of captain Son Heung-min. The South Korean, 32, has missed the last four games with a foot injury.
