Honours, Aspmyra Stadium, playing style… All you need to know about Bodø/Glimt | OneFootball

Before the kick-off of the 4th matchday of the Champions League for the Rouge et Blanc this Tuesday evening against Bodø/Glimt (9pm), we focus on the reigning Norwegian champion.

It’s a  trip unlike any other for Monaco. For this fourth matchday of the League Phase, Sébastien Pocognoli’s men travel to northern Norway to face the national champions, Bodø/Glimt, this Tuesday (9 pm). But before taking on the Norwegian club, here’s what you need to know about this opponent who has been on the rise in recent seasons.🔎

A growing list of achievements 🏆

Founded in 1916, FK Bodø/Glimt was long considered an outsider in Norwegian football before establishing itself firmly at the top. The club won its first-ever Norwegian title in 2020, before retaining it the following season, becoming the first team from the north of the country to be crowned champion. This is in addition to titles in 2023 and 2024, as well as two Norwegian Cups in 1975 and 1993.

I know their team, and the style of play implemented by the coach, since there are many similar faces. I respect them because they show many qualities; they deserve to be where they are. But we are ambitious; we will always try to play for the three points.

A spoiler on the European stage 🎉

This domestic success has extended to the continental stage. Having burst onto the scene during their run to the Europa Conference League quarterfinals in the 2021-2022 season, highlighted by a resounding 6-1 victory against AS Roma, Bodø/Glimt has established itself as one of the most surprising clubs in Europe.

The Norwegian club then confirmed its rise to prominence in 2024-2025 by eliminating Lazio in the Europa League quarterfinals after a historic penalty shootout, becoming the first team from the country to reach a major European semifinal.

The Aspmyra Trap 🥶

This success can be attributed to their performance at the Aspmyra Stadion, where FC Porto, AS Roma, and Celtic Glasgow have also been beaten. With its artificial turf, the stadium offers a different pace of play and can sometimes be tough on the players’ joints. Another unique feature is that it houses a school and a supermarket. Add to that the fact that temperatures rarely exceed 15°C in the summer in the city of Bodø, located north of the Arctic Circle, and you have all the ingredients for an away match like no other.

We know Bodø are very strong at home, we know what we're up against. I think we'll need to be consistent as a team and show the right attitude and character. They have a lot of quality, but their strength lies in their teamwork because they've developed a strong understanding and cohesion over the past few years.

A newcomer to the Champions League 🆕

This progression has naturally led Bodø/Glimt to the most prestigious of competition. Qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time in its history, the club is one of four newcomers to the 2025-2026 edition, alongside Kairat Almaty, Union Saint-Gilloise, and… Pafos FC. In their debut, the Norwegian champions held Slavia Prague to a draw (2-2) and then did the same against Tottenham (2-2), confirming it could now compete at the highest level of European football.

The modern style of Kjetil Knutsen 👨?🏫

At the helm since 2018, Kjetil Knutsen has profoundly transformed the club. Under his leadership, Bodø/Glimt has won four league titles in the last five seasons and established itself as a benchmark in modern Norwegian football.

The manager advocates a fluid possession-based style of play, a high press, and active involvement of the full-backs in all phases of the game. Demanding, he also emphasizes mental preparation, incorporating meditation sessions to strengthen team cohesion. This modern style has allowed the Yellow and Blacks to reach the level of the best teams in Europe.

An exemplary local training program 🇳🇴

Finally, the club’s success rests on a training model unique in Norway. With targeted recruitment and a very strong local talent pool, Bodø/Glimt has only seven foreign players in its squad. This model has seen the emergence of talents like Patrick Berg, heir to a family lineage linked to the club, and Håkon Evjen, both of whom returned home after experiences abroad, respectively at Lens and AZ Alkmaar.

Players to watch 👥

Patrick Berg, midfield metronome ⏰

A true symbol of Bodø/Glimt, Patrick Berg embodies the very soul of the club. Coming from a family deeply intertwined with the history of the Yellow and Blacks, the captain is the driving force of the Norwegian team’s play. Intelligent in his ball distribution, invaluable in winning back possession, and possessing a formidable shot, he guarantees a balance between high pressing and technical mastery. His positioning and precision in distribution make him one of the most complete midfielders in the league.

Jens Petter Hauge, the resurgent dynamo ⚡️

Having made his name at Bodø/Glimt in 2020 before joining AC Milan, Jens Petter Hauge has chosen to return to the club to relaunch his career. Fast, unpredictable, and incisive, the winger remains capable of unbalancing any defense with his dribbling and incisive runs. Often deployed on the left wing, he perfectly embodies the vertical and ambitious style of play championed by Kjetil Knutsen. Full of confidence, he is one of the main threats for this Norwegian side.

Fredrik Sjøvold, the hard worker 🚧

At 22, Fredrik Sjøvold is gradually establishing himself as one of the brightest prospects in Norwegian football. The right-back impresses with his maturity and his ability to quickly move forward. Hard-working, technically gifted, and intelligent in his movement, he has already earned the trust of his coach. His tireless work rate down his flank makes him a valuable asset in Bodø/Glimt’s intense system.