These giants could come to Aspmyra: 'Completely surreal'
Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Bodø/Glimt has qualified for the Champions League group stage, potentially facing top European clubs.
- The Norwegian team is placed in the third seeding pot, making them eligible to play against teams from higher and lower pots.
- Fans and local media are expressing excitement and speculating about dream matchups, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Norwegian football club Bodø/Glimt has secured a spot in the upcoming Champions League group stage, igniting anticipation for potential matchups against some of Europe's elite teams. The club's progression means they will enter the draw from the third seeding pot, positioning them to face a diverse range of opponents.
From pot 1 I want Liverpool away and Real Madrid and José Mourinho to Aspmyra. From pot 2 I want Club Brugge away. We have been to Brugge before; they have fantastic beer, the square there is fantastic and we get to meet Hugo Vetlesen again. I want Real Betis at home. José Isidoro is a former Glimt player and Real Betis man. Seeing Glimt against Real Betis with him would be magical, says Toresen to VG.
Fans and local media are already buzzing with excitement, speculating about which major clubs might visit Aspmyra stadium. Bodø/Glimt captain Patrick Berg has voiced his desire to host powerhouses like Real Madrid or Barcelona. This sentiment is echoed by Freddy Toresen, sports editor at local newspaper Avisa Nordland, who also hopes for a home game against Real Madrid.
Toresen has outlined his ideal draw, wishing for Liverpool away and Real Madrid at home from the top pot. From the second pot, he hopes for Club Brugge away, citing a positive past experience and the chance to see former player Hugo Vetlesen. For the third pot, he favors Feyenoord away and Napoli at home, noting Glimt's historical success against Italian teams and a potential 50th-anniversary commemoration of their first European match against Napoli in 1976.
Glimt usually does well against Italian teams and Napoli was the first Italian team Glimt met in Europe in 1976, it would be a historic match 50 years later.
From the fourth pot, Toresen would welcome Como at home and either Slovian Bratislava or Celje away. He optimistically projects that such a draw could yield between nine and 12 points for Bodø/Glimt, potentially advancing them to the knockout stages. "It's completely surreal to play like this with points. It's absurd that there is both play and realism," Toresen commented on the club's European journey.
If this draw becomes a reality, Glimt can get between nine and 12 points, then it will be up to the margins whether Glimt reaches the final play.
While the exact draw remains unknown, Bodø/Glimt will face two teams from different seeding levels during the group stage, playing one home and one away match against each. It is confirmed that Bodø/Glimt cannot be drawn against fellow Norwegian team Viking if Viking also qualifies, as teams from the same nation are not permitted to meet until the playoff rounds after the group stage.
It would have been fun with Barcelona or preferably Real Madrid at Aspmyra. Spanish top teams have not been to Bodø, and a Mourinho return after
Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.