By Martin Graham
Bodo/Glimt continued their remarkable European adventure with a famous victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro, sealing a place in the Champions League last 16 for the first time in the club’s history.
Holding a 3-1 advantage from the opening leg, the Norwegian champions faced intense pressure from the three-time European Cup winners, who had been beaten by Paris St-Germain in last season’s final. Inter dominated early proceedings, but the visitors stood firm against a wave of first-half attacks.
After weathering that spell, Bodo struck twice to silence the Serie A leaders. A 2-1 triumph on the night secured an emphatic 5-2 aggregate success over Cristian Chivu’s team, underlining their growing reputation for upsetting established powers.
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen described the achievement as a landmark occasion for both the club and Norwegian football, while Jens Petter Hauge shone once more, scoring the opener before setting up Hakon Evjen for the second goal.
Numbers that underline the achievement
The victory marked the first time a Norwegian side has won a knockout tie in the Champions League era and the first progression by a club from Norway in the European Cup since Lillestrom advanced in 1987-88.
Bodo/Glimt also became the first team from outside Europe’s five major leagues – England, Spain, Germany, Italy, and France – to record four straight wins in a single European Cup or Champions League campaign against opponents from those nations since Ajax in 1971-72, a season that ended with the Dutch club lifting the trophy.
Hauge’s strike in Milan was his sixth in this season’s competition, the highest tally ever managed by a Norwegian player representing a Norwegian club in a single edition of Europe’s elite tournament.
Their path to this stage appeared unlikely earlier in the campaign. After failing to win any of their first six league phase matches, they needed positive results against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to keep their hopes alive – and delivered both.
From northern extremes to European nights
A 3-1 success over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City signalled their resurgence, and a 2-1 win away to Atletico Madrid confirmed a playoff berth.
Last season, Knutsen’s men reached the Europa League semi-finals before losing to Spurs, becoming the first Norwegian club to make the last four of a major European competition.
Much of their strength has come from their home base, situated around 70 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Harsh winter conditions – freezing temperatures, snow, and strong winds – combine with an artificial surface that can unsettle visiting teams accustomed to natural grass.
Over recent years, several well-known sides have struggled there. Roma were beaten 6-1 in the Europa Conference League, while Celtic, Besiktas, Porto, and Lazio have also departed in defeat.
Now awaiting either Manchester City or Sporting in the last 16, Bodo/Glimt travel forward with belief and the backing of their yellow-clad supporters, who were highly visible in Milan. Captain Patrick Berg said few expected them to overcome Manchester City, Atletico, and Inter but called the achievement magnificent.
Knutsen added that he hopes their journey demonstrates what is possible for clubs from smaller towns, calling that message the most beautiful element of their story.
