Are Bodö/Glimt being overlooked by Norway despite Champions League run? | OneFootball

Bodö/Glimt’s Champions League surge contrasts with scant national-team representation, even as Norway returns to the World Cup after 28 years.

They face Sporting Portugal in a last 16 first leg on Wednesday at 21:00. L'Équipe notes nine Norwegians underpin the run, yet only Patrick Berg is an automatic pick.

In Italy 1-4 Norway on 16 November, starters largely came from Europe’s big four leagues, including Erling Haaland and Alexander Sörloth. Martin Ödegaard missed that camp through injury.

The last squad featured only Bodö left-back Fredrik André Björkan, plus reserve keepers Mathias Dyngeland and Sander Tangvik, who moved to Hamburg in January. Jostein Gundersen was called before injury, his World Cup place uncertain. In the north, many argue Odin Björtuft, the club’s standout defender over two years, should be next in.

Pundit Simen Stamsö Möller says the success stems from a clear collective, and that outside it the players are good rather than superstars.

Journalist Lars Tjarnas believes Hakon Evjen and Jens Petter Hauge could be called, and is almost sure Björtuft will make it given weaknesses at centre-back and in goal.

He said Nikita Haïkin would be Norway’s number one if he gains nationality, with the process ongoing. He thinks Evjen will go to the World Cup despite competition from Ödegaard and Fredrik Aursnes, and that Hauge is unlikely with Antonio Nusa and Andreas Schjelderup ahead. He added there is no blacklist against Bodö players.

Source: L'Équipe