Norwegian Arctic Outsiders Bodø/Glimt Stun Champions League Powerhouses in Storybook Run

Over the course of little more than a month, Bodø/Glimt, a modest Norwegian outfit situated within the Arctic Circle, has triumphed over three prominent football clubs: Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and the latest, Inter Milan.

After securing a 3-1 win against Inter on home soil, the Nordic side narrowly defeated the Italians 2-1 at the famed San Siro on Tuesday, advancing to the Champions League knockout stage.

This success against the three-time European champions, who currently lead Serie A, extends Bodø/Glimt's remarkable campaign in the tournament.

"This stands as the most significant accomplishment for any Norwegian club," stated Norway's head coach Stale Solbakken to public broadcaster NRK.

Although their domestic league wrapped up in November, Bodø/Glimt has emerged victorious in every European fixture since the year began.

Prior to twice coming from behind against Inter, they overcame Manchester City, featuring fellow Norwegian Erling Braut Haaland, with a 3-1 result in Norway, and also prevailed 2-1 over Atletico in Madrid.

Such accomplishments were largely unforeseen.

Bodø, a compact coastal town above the Arctic Circle that many might find challenging to locate on a map, boasts just 50,000 residents.

Remote from most places and lashed by freezing ocean gusts, Bodø/Glimt (with "glimt" translating to "glimmer" in Norwegian) sustains the passion in a community shrouded in winter darkness.

Their compact and ageing Aspmyra Stadium, constructed in 1966, accommodates slightly more than 8,200 fans, and the club nearly folded financially in 2016.

Composed mostly of Norwegian players, the team has achieved extraordinary results since rejoining the Eliteserien, Norway's top flight, in 2018.

In the ensuing years, they have claimed the national title in four out of six seasons.

The previous campaign saw them become the inaugural Norwegian side to reach the semi-finals of a premier European tournament during their Europa League journey.

- 'Storybook' –

"For football's sake, it's vital that Glimt are pulling this off, showing that in 2026, a modest club can still rise from humble beginnings," Mads Skauge, deputy head of the supporters' collective J-Feltet, shared with AFP.

"In an era dominated by vast sums in the sport, this is genuinely exceptional. I struggle to recall another instance in recent times that rivals the fairytale quality of Glimt's progress," Skauge continued.

These days, Bodø/Glimt's following stretches well beyond the local area and even Norway's borders.

Club jerseys sell in Asia, and international press flocks to cover the sensation.

The key to their prosperity lies in a squad devoid of egos, where each member understands their responsibilities.

"It's a genuine team effort. No standout stars, no passengers," Skauge remarked.

"All are aware of their duties, and failure to meet them results in departure," Skauge elaborated.

They employ an offensive-oriented approach, regardless of the adversary.

"Through intensive repetition in practice, they execute plays so swiftly that top sides find it hard to match," Skauge noted.

Complementing this is a robust defensive foundation.

Bodø/Glimt ended the prior season second in the standings, boasting the league's strongest offence and defence.

"We have embraced our unique route, stayed courageous, developed our methods, and progressed step by step, often exceeding our initial visions," head coach Kjetil Knutsen commented to TV2.

Confidence now soars, enough for players to abandon their customary Scandinavian reserve.

"We possess tremendous strength. Our feats are monumental; we can overcome any foe," declared forward Jens Petter Hauge, scorer of the opener versus Inter.

Their upcoming challengers, either Manchester City for a rematch or Sporting Lisbon, should take note.