BODØ, NORWAY – Bodø/Glimt continued its remarkable run in the UEFA Champions League, defeating Sporting CP 3-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday. The Norwegian side, which previously eliminated Inter Milan in the group stage, showcased its attacking prowess at Aspmyra Stadion, leaving Sporting CP with a significant uphill battle for the return leg.
Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring for Bodø/Glimt in the 32nd minute, converting a penalty after being fouled. Ole Didrik Blomberg added a second just before halftime, and Kasper Høgh sealed the victory in the 71st minute. The win marks Bodø/Glimt’s fifth consecutive victory in the Champions League, a feat achieved by only a handful of teams from outside Europe’s traditional powerhouses.
“It’s a very good feeling, I am quite happy with my own and my team’s performance,” Fet told UEFA.com after the match. “It was quite an open game. We could have controlled it more, but it was quite a good performance against a good team.”
Knutsen Cautious Despite Dominant Win
Despite the commanding victory, Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen remained grounded, emphasizing the challenges that still lie ahead. “No, no, no,” Knutsen responded when asked by reporters if his team was already thinking about the quarter-finals. “We don’t think like that. If we did, it wouldn’t be sensible. We have a tough game away from home. I hope we will be brave, that will be important.”
Knutsen revealed the team’s travel plans, stating they will spend several days in Marbella, Spain, before heading to Lisbon. He also highlighted the team’s tactical preparation and the strong culture within the squad. “We managed to decipher some codes. As a team, we are much better. It’s incredibly fun to see the hunger among the players. They learn quickly. We have a culture that allows them to develop,” Knutsen explained.
Sporting CP Faces Uphill Battle
Sporting CP manager Rui Borges acknowledged the difficult task facing his team in the second leg. “We have to rewrite history,” Borges said, referencing the fact that Sporting has only overcome a three-goal deficit in European competition once in over sixty years. That comeback occurred in the 1963/64 Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final against Manchester United, where Sporting won 5-0 in the second leg after losing the first 4-1.
The defeat was met with frustration from Sporting CP supporters, many of whom traveled nearly 5,000 kilometers to support their team in Norway. According to Norwegian news outlet Dagbladet.no, fans surrounded the team bus after the match, expressing their anger and disappointment. Borges appealed for continued support, stating, “I understand that the fans are frustrated, but I ask them to be with us in the next match. We need their energy. We are sorry.”
A Historic Run for Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt’s success in the Champions League has been nothing short of remarkable. The club, based in the northern Norwegian city of Bodø, has become a Cinderella story in the competition, defeating established European clubs along the way. Their current form is a testament to the club’s strong team spirit and tactical flexibility. This season, they’ve demonstrated an ability to score goals from multiple sources, with Jens Petter Hauge, Fet, Blomberg, and Høgh all contributing significantly to their Champions League tally. In fact, only Bayern Munich has more players with at least five goal involvements in the 2025-26 Champions League campaign.
The club’s continued success is also notable given that Kjetil Knutsen recently signed a new contract, extending his tenure until 2029. [1] This provides stability and continuity as the team navigates its unexpected Champions League journey.
What’s Next?
The second leg between Bodø/Glimt and Sporting CP will be played on Tuesday, March 17th at 18:45 CET (12:45 PM EST) at Estádio José Avalade in Lisbon, a stadium with a capacity of over 52,000. Bodø/Glimt will be looking to secure their place in the quarter-finals, while Sporting CP will need to produce a historic comeback to stay alive in the competition.
Bodø/Glimt will be hoping to carry their momentum into the Eliteserien as well, where they are currently preparing for the start of the new season. [1] The club is also dealing with the recent retirement of Brede Moe, who played for Glimt since 2014. [1]
Will Bodø/Glimt continue to defy expectations and reach the Champions League quarter-finals? Or can Sporting CP pull off a stunning turnaround in Lisbon? The second leg promises to be a captivating encounter.
Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the UEFA Champions League and all the latest developments from the world of football.
[1] 2026 FK Bodø/Glimt season – Wikipedia
[2] Trouble-making Bodo confident of reaching quarter-finals… – beIN SPORTS
