🇳🇴 Bodø/Glimt, one of only two top-flight European football clubs inside the Arctic Circle, demolished Jose Mourinho's Roma 6-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League last night.
Who are they? What's their back story? And what have been the keys to their success?
THREAD ⬇️
Who are they? What's their back story? And what have been the keys to their success?
THREAD ⬇️
The club, founded in 1916, is based in the town of Bodø, which is situated in Nordland county in the north of Norway and has a population of around 50,000 people.
They play at the Aspmyra Stadion, which opened in 1966 and currently has a capacity for 5,635 spectators.
They play at the Aspmyra Stadion, which opened in 1966 and currently has a capacity for 5,635 spectators.
Interestingly, Bodø/Glimt are one of only two top-flight European football clubs across the 54 UEFA leagues to be based inside the Arctic Circle.
The other is Tromsø, also of Norway. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry in the Eliteserien, despite being 322 kilometres apart.
The other is Tromsø, also of Norway. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry in the Eliteserien, despite being 322 kilometres apart.
According to @AndyMitten, Bodø’s plight is difficult:
"Bodø face several big challenges. Being so far north means they use more of their budget on travel while the cold weather ensures they can't train outside in the winter. Their players trained on ice with spikes until 1991."
"Bodø face several big challenges. Being so far north means they use more of their budget on travel while the cold weather ensures they can't train outside in the winter. Their players trained on ice with spikes until 1991."
What about the history?
Well, clubs from northern Norway weren't allowed to play in the top flight until the 1970s. Organisers felt they could not compete.
But Bodø/Glimt soon proved them wrong by winning the Norwegian cup in 1975 & gaining promotion to the top flight in 1976!
Well, clubs from northern Norway weren't allowed to play in the top flight until the 1970s. Organisers felt they could not compete.
But Bodø/Glimt soon proved them wrong by winning the Norwegian cup in 1975 & gaining promotion to the top flight in 1976!
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Many thanks!
Many thanks!
But let's skip to the modern day.
In 2019, Bodø were hotly tipped to be relegated from the Eliteserien. Not only did they stay up, but they finished second behind winners Molde – and above record champions Rosenborg in third.
Few foresaw what would happen next, however.
In 2019, Bodø were hotly tipped to be relegated from the Eliteserien. Not only did they stay up, but they finished second behind winners Molde – and above record champions Rosenborg in third.
Few foresaw what would happen next, however.
In 2020, Bodø became the first club from the north of Norway to become domestic champions, smashing multiple records along the way including:
📈 Most points collected (81)
↔️ Biggest winning margin (19 points)
⚽️ Most goals scored (103, 16 more than the previous record-holders).
📈 Most points collected (81)
↔️ Biggest winning margin (19 points)
⚽️ Most goals scored (103, 16 more than the previous record-holders).
In doing so, they became one of only two first-time champions across the 54 UEFA leagues last season - along with Mura of Slovenia.
It was no coincidence either: despite the loss of key players, Bodø are 3 points clear the top of the Eliteserien again with 8 games to go.
It was no coincidence either: despite the loss of key players, Bodø are 3 points clear the top of the Eliteserien again with 8 games to go.
After failing in the Champions & Europa League qualifiers this summer, they then qualified for the inaugural Conference League.
They started off by beating Ukrainians Zorya 3-1 at home, before drawing 0-0 with CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria ahead of their double-header with Roma.
They started off by beating Ukrainians Zorya 3-1 at home, before drawing 0-0 with CSKA Sofia in Bulgaria ahead of their double-header with Roma.
Then came last night's giant-killing: Bodø/Glimt 6-1 Roma. We'll let the numbers do the talking:
Squad market value: 🇳🇴 €14.6m - €429.85m 🇮🇹
Summer transfer expenditure: 🇳🇴 €0 - €97.75m 🇮🇹
UEFA club ranking: 🇳🇴 264 - 13 🇮🇹
Data: @Transfermarkt
Squad market value: 🇳🇴 €14.6m - €429.85m 🇮🇹
Summer transfer expenditure: 🇳🇴 €0 - €97.75m 🇮🇹
UEFA club ranking: 🇳🇴 264 - 13 🇮🇹
Data: @Transfermarkt
So how have they done it? Here are some of the key elements:
1) Continuity:
Coach Kjetil Knutsen was under pressure after the 2018 season but the club stood by him and have been handsomely rewarded for it.
Knutsen was the man who led them to their maiden title 2 years later.
1) Continuity:
Coach Kjetil Knutsen was under pressure after the 2018 season but the club stood by him and have been handsomely rewarded for it.
Knutsen was the man who led them to their maiden title 2 years later.
2) Local flavour
The club's aim is for 40% of its players to come from the north of Norway and to go through its academy, which is currently the case.
"It is an approach that resonates with fans and has instilled a strong identity," according to twentyfirstgroup.com/bodo-glimt/
The club's aim is for 40% of its players to come from the north of Norway and to go through its academy, which is currently the case.
"It is an approach that resonates with fans and has instilled a strong identity," according to twentyfirstgroup.com/bodo-glimt/
3) Transfer market
The club spends little, instead recruiting from within, while selling players they believe they can replace.
Last season Jens Petter Hauge (AC Milan), Kasper Junker (Urawa Reds) & Sammy Skytte (Stabæk) earned them €7.36m - more than their annual budget.
The club spends little, instead recruiting from within, while selling players they believe they can replace.
Last season Jens Petter Hauge (AC Milan), Kasper Junker (Urawa Reds) & Sammy Skytte (Stabæk) earned them €7.36m - more than their annual budget.
4) Mental coach
Bjorn Mannsverk, a former Norwegian Air Force fighter pilot, has been employed as a mental coach and has introduced meditation/mindfulness to the players.
The idea is to get them in the best frame of mind to perform - then the results will follow.
Bjorn Mannsverk, a former Norwegian Air Force fighter pilot, has been employed as a mental coach and has introduced meditation/mindfulness to the players.
The idea is to get them in the best frame of mind to perform - then the results will follow.
5) The football itself
The German FA's coaching academy recently published an analysis of Bodø/Glimt's tactics, praising their "modern philosophy" and "possession football". It also added that their players are fitter than those playing for other Eliteserien clubs.
The German FA's coaching academy recently published an analysis of Bodø/Glimt's tactics, praising their "modern philosophy" and "possession football". It also added that their players are fitter than those playing for other Eliteserien clubs.
That's all from us. For more info on Bodø/Glimt & Norwegian football, follow:
The club account: @Glimt
Norwegian football journalists: @ToldnesG, @larssivertsen & @FotballBen
For podcast listeners: @nordicfootpod
And, of course, our friends at @footy_nordic
The club account: @Glimt
Norwegian football journalists: @ToldnesG, @larssivertsen & @FotballBen
For podcast listeners: @nordicfootpod
And, of course, our friends at @footy_nordic
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