Bodo/Glimt are the sensation of the Champions League, having eliminated Inter in the play-off round of 16 with a 2-1 victory in Italy, following a 3-1 win in the first leg in Norway. Now, they could face Manchester City or Sporting.
Almost a week after triumphing at home against the Italians (3-1), holders of three trophies and defeated finalists in two of the last three editions, Bodo/Glimt repeated the feat in the second leg of the play-off (2-1) and once again caused a sensation in their debut in the biggest continental club competition.
Hailing from the cold climate of the Arctic Circle, Bodo/Glimt had never won in their previous seven away games against Italian opposition and became the first club from their country to overcome a knockout round in UEFA’s premier competition since 1987/88, when Lillestrom competed in what was then called the European Cup, the predecessor to the Champions League.
Bodo/Glimt secured their fourth consecutive European victory, a cycle that began in January against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid, in the final two of eight league matches. This victory propelled them to the knockout round in 23rd place, second-to-last in the competition.
In the history of the European Cup or Champions League, the last team to consecutively defeat four opponents from the five major European leagues in the same edition was Ajax in 1971/72, a season marked by the second of four continental titles for the Dutch side.
By eliminating Inter from the Round of 16 for the first time in five seasons, Bodo/Glimt will face either the Portuguese champions Sporting or Manchester City, both of whom have direct entry into the next round.