New Delhi: Bodo/Glimt’s European run to the semi finals of the Europa League has to be studied as they become the first ever Norwegian club to reach the semis of men’s European competition. Manchester United did steal the headlight after their amazing comeback, but it was a historic night for the Norwegian club which went under the radar. Bodo/Glimt won a fierce match on penalties and advanced to the Europa League semi-finals after overcoming an incredible Lazio comeback.
With the first leg in London on May 1 and the second leg at the Aspmyra Stadion on May 8, Bodo/Glimt will now play Tottenham for a spot in the final. It has truly been an impressive journey for the Norwegian side who managed to claim the ninth spot, just missing out on the direct qualification spot. The Norwegians had a great league stage where they managed to win four of their eight fixtures. However, the most shocking result that competely stunned the fans was their unbelievable 2-0 win in the first leg against the Italian giants Lazio.
What happened against Lazio?
Valentin Castellanos gave Lazio hope in the Rome return with a score in the 23rd minute, but they still had a two-goal deficit to overcome. On the edge of the six-yard box, Gustav Isaksen dragged the ball back to the Argentine striker, who then expertly backhanded it past Nikita Haikin.
Then, in dramatic fashion, Tijjani Noslin bundled in from close range from a corner in the third minute of injury time to make it 2-0 and equal the score on aggregate. Lazio took control of the match after substitute Boulaye Dia scored a third goal in extra time by jumping the highest to head home a cross from Matteo Guendouzi. But in the 109th minute, Andreas Helmersen powered Sondre Brunstad Fet’s cross past custodian Christos Mandas to tie the score. However, the forward was sent out for a second yellow card in the last minute of extra time, meaning he was unable to participate in the next shootout.
Lazio scored through Dia after Jens Petter Hauge saved Bodo/Glimt’s first penalty, but the Norwegian team won thanks to two missed spot-kicks by Loum Tchaouna and Noslin and two goals by Fet and Sondre Sorli. However, after both teams scored their fourth penalty, Patrick Berg missed the opportunity to win it for the visitors. Haikin then stopped Castellanos’ attempt to give Bodo/Glimt a 3-2 victory, igniting joyous celebrations for their momentous accomplishment.
Is this the end or are we witnessing Bodo create history?
After their success against Lazio, everyone has just one question- How far can Bodo go? It is probably stupid to think that they will get past a Premier League giant and the favourites to lift the cup, Tottenham. However, it is not! Tottenham are clearly having possibly their worst league campaign in the past decade or so. However, they are unbeaten in the European stages which suggests that they might get the job done against the Norwegians.
However, they just can’t take the Norwegian side lightly. Their results catalogue this year has truly been outstanding that involves some big teams getting humbled by Bodo. In their opening game of the campaign, they managed to put Porto to sleep with a 3-2 win. Other tough clubs like Braga, Besiktas and Olympiacos, all suffered defeats against the Norwegians and to top that, they gave Manchester United a hard time at Old Trafford where they narrowly lost 3-2.
All these results suggest that it certainly won’t be an easy task to contain the Norwegians. Their talisman Kasper Waarts Høgh has already scored seven times in the European competition this season. Håkon Evjen and Jens Petter Hauge also turned up and they have been true assets to this Bodo side. Kjetil Knutsen brave Bodo side have come this far with great passion and with some great performances. They have a young squad and above all they will be hungry to deliver the goods against a top side. This Bodo run will surely go down as one of the best runs from certain underdogs in the European competitions. Tottenham, beware as the Norwegians are coming for you!
