Bodo/Glimt Knock Out Inter Milan, Continue Fairytale Champions League Run

Bodo/Glimt are still making history in the UEFA Champions League after eliminating European heavyweights Inter Milan in another stunning chapter of their remarkable rise from a small town north of the Arctic Circle.

Kjetil Knutsen’s side booked their place in the last 16 on Tuesday with a 5-2 aggregate triumph over last season’s runners-up. The result stands as the greatest achievement in the club’s history and further cements their status as the surprise package of this year’s competition.

The team from northern Norway have become the competition’s ultimate underdog story. Knutsen, who has overseen the club’s transformation since 2018, reflected on the journey by highlighting the collective effort behind their rise. He pointed to the strong belief within the club and the shared commitment that has driven their steady progress over recent years.

He described the victory as a landmark occasion not just for the squad, but for the town and Norwegian football as a whole. Rather than focusing solely on targets and outcomes, Knutsen emphasised the importance of performance, development and incremental improvement — principles that have shaped Bodo/Glimt’s identity. According to him, staying true to their methods has been central to their success.

The latest victory marked their fourth consecutive win in the Champions League. Earlier in the league phase, they stunned both Manchester City and Atletico Madrid, results that secured their place in the knockout playoffs and signalled that their run was no fluke.

Their rapid ascent has been extraordinary. Only promoted to Norway’s top division in 2017 — a league long dominated by Rosenborg BK — Bodo/Glimt have since claimed four league titles in six seasons. What began as domestic progress soon translated into European credibility.

Last season, they became the first Norwegian club to reach the semifinals of a major European competition, advancing to the final four of the UEFA Europa League. That breakthrough followed a memorable quarterfinal victory over Lazio, achieved via a penalty shootout, before their journey ended against Tottenham Hotspur.

This season, however, they have gone even further. Despite operating without global superstars and with a fraction of the budget of Europe’s elite, Bodo/Glimt have elevated themselves to a new level. Awaiting them in the next round will be either City again or Sporting CP, presenting another formidable challenge.

‘Surreal and insanely cool’

For years, visiting teams have regarded Bodo/Glimt as difficult opponents largely because of the artificial surface and harsh conditions at their 8,200-seat Aspmyra Stadium. The cold climate and tight surroundings often gave them a distinct home advantage.

Now, they have shown they can deliver on the road as well. A disciplined defensive performance on Tuesday laid the foundation for decisive counterattacks, with Jens Petter Hauge and Hakon Evjen striking at crucial moments to silence the Italian side.

Evjen struggled to contain his emotions after the final whistle, describing the achievement as almost unbelievable. Team captain Patrick Berg also ranked the victory as the most significant moment of his career, underlining the magnitude of the upset.

For Inter, three-time European champions, the defeat was a sobering setback. Their financial power and global stature far exceed that of the Norwegian club, and they remain strong favourites to claim Serie A this season. Although their previous European campaign ended in disappointment against Paris Saint-Germain, they had reached that final by overcoming giants such as Bayern Munich and Barcelona in dramatic knockout ties.

Inter controlled much of the first half, but the contest shifted when Hauge capitalised on a costly defensive error near the edge of the penalty area. From that moment, the Italians struggled to recover, and Bodo/Glimt maintained their composure to see out the tie.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu acknowledged the competitiveness of the tournament, noting that any team reaching this stage must possess clear strengths. He admitted that the Norwegians had demonstrated their quality not only against his side, but also in previous fixtures across Europe.

The result also carried symbolic weight. Norway’s recent success against Italy in World Cup qualifying has compounded concerns about the standing of Italian football. With Juventus and Atalanta also facing difficult knockout scenarios, the possibility of no Italian club reaching the last 16 adds to the scrutiny surrounding one of Europe’s most storied football nations.

For Bodo/Glimt, however, the dream continues — and few would now dare dismiss them.