Bodø/Glimt are on the brink of reaching the league phase of the Champions League after their stunning 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz in the first leg of their play-off tie. The Austrian side now faces the near impossible task of overturning such a heavy deficit, with the likelihood that Glimt will also find the net in the return match.
The emphatic win has sparked excitement among Glimt’s supporters, who are daring to dream of welcoming Europe’s elite clubs to the Aspmyra Stadion later this year.
Anticipation Builds in Bodø
The prospect of Champions League football in northern Norway is in itself historic, but the possibility of hosting sides such as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool, or Manchester City has captured the imagination of the local fanbase.
Aspmyra, while modest in size compared to Europe’s largest arenas, would provide a unique and intimate setting for some of the world’s best players. For the Bodø faithful, seeing their team line up against the likes of Vinícius Júnior, Erling Haaland, or Lamine Yamal would mark the pinnacle of their club’s modern success story.
Amankwah on the Spanish Giants
Pundit Yaw Amankwah has been among those to highlight what such an occasion would mean. Speaking to TV2, he admitted that one particular draw would stand above the rest for sheer spectacle.
“That’s a good question. I say the Spanish giants Real Madrid or Barcelona. Imagine watching Lamine Yamal at Aspmyra. It’s a surreal sentence.”
For a club that has already earned a reputation for upsetting bigger names in European competition, the idea of welcoming a footballing powerhouse to Bodø no longer feels out of reach. Glimt have consistently shown resilience and attacking flair in Europe over recent seasons, and their performance against Graz was another reminder of their quality.
The return leg in Austria still needs to be navigated, but few would bet against Glimt completing the job. Should they progress, the Champions League draw will become one of the most eagerly awaited moments in the club’s history, with the potential to deliver a glamour tie that would not only thrill the supporters but also place Bodø firmly on the European footballing map.