Bodo/Glimt and their rollercoaster journey in the Champions League

Bodo/Glimt created one of the most motivational narratives in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, notably by defeating Inter in the playoff stage to advance to the last 16.

During the harsh Nordic winter, when Norwegian football pauses from late November for a lengthy break, few expected a team from a city of only about 50,000 inhabitants to write the brightest chapter in their history on Europe’s biggest stage. Yet, that is exactly what Bodo/Glimt achieved in the 2025/26 Champions League.

Since November 30, when the Norwegian top league concluded before winter, Bodo/Glimt played no domestic matches. Their first four official games in 2026 all took place in the Champions League. Without the usual domestic warm-up or familiar build-up matches, the Norwegian side jumped straight into high-pressure, intense European nights. They turned this challenge into a remarkable success.

At their small but always passionate home ground, Bodo/Glimt caused a major upset by defeating Man City, one of the top favorites for the title. This was not just a win on the scoreboard, but a display of strong character, where the cohesive team and fast, energetic style of the Norwegian club unsettled their English opponents.

They didn’t stop there, continuing to make waves by traveling to Spain and securing a victory against Atletico Madrid. Winning away from home against a club with extensive European experience showed that their triumph over Man City was not a one-time burst but the result of thorough preparation and strong belief.

The pinnacle of this fairy-tale journey came in the playoff round, where Bodo/Glimt faced Inter Milan, the reigning Champions League runners-up. Clearly considered the underdogs in terms of both experience and squad value, the Norwegian team played with great confidence. They won both legs, closing the tie with a convincing 5-2 aggregate score. This was a powerful statement that Bodo/Glimt deserved to be counted among Europe’s top 16 teams.

The ticket to the last 16 holds significance far beyond just a sporting milestone. Only eight years ago, this team was competing in Norway’s second division. Their stadium holds about 8,000 spectators, and their squad’s total market value barely exceeds 50 million euros — a modest sum compared to the giants they have toppled.

From the freezing Norwegian winter to the bright lights of the Champions League, Bodo/Glimt’s journey is a vivid testament to the power of belief, organization, and ambition. In a football world increasingly dominated by massive investments, their story reminds fans that fairy tales can still happen if a team dares to write the impossible.