Austria goalkeeper Nikolas Polster experienced a dramatic and challenging introduction to European club competition on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, as NEC Nijmegen crashed out of the UEFA Champions League following a 0–3 away defeat against Bodø/Glimt, according to reports by Sky Sport Austria. The result sealed a comprehensive 1–6 aggregate loss for the Dutch side after they had already dropped the opening leg 1–3 at home. Polster, who completed a transfer from Wolfsberger AC (WAC) to the Eredivisie club just two weeks prior, was thrust into action after only five minutes following a red card issued to starting goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz.
A Sudden Debut Following Early Drama
The match at Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø, Norway, turned on an incident inside the opening five minutes. Polster was summoned from the bench in the 5th minute, replacing striker Kaj Sierhuis as the Dutch club scrambled to reorganize in a defensive shell. For Polster, an Austrian youth international thrust into the continental spotlight immediately after his summer move from the Lavanttal, it marked a baptism by fire on the European stage.
First-Half Resilience Overwhelmed Before the Break
Despite playing a man down for the vast majority of the fixture, Polster kept his side afloat through a flurry of instinctive stops. Sky Sport Austria reported that the young Austrian goalkeeper turned away multiple dangerous efforts as Bodø/Glimt laid siege to the Nijmegen penalty area. However, the sheer pressure finally cracked the visitors’ rearguard right on the stroke of halftime. Norwegian international Fredrik André Bjørkan broke the deadlock in the 45+2nd minute, and teammate Sondre Auklend compounded the misery by adding a second goal deep in first-half stoppage time (45+6′), sending NEC into the interval facing a virtually insurmountable 0–2 deficit on the night.
Late Mistake Culls the Champions League Dream
With the aggregate score out of reach, the second half served largely as a formality. Bodø/Glimt maintained control of possession and tempo, capitalizing on Nijmegen’s fatigue and numerical disadvantage. The final blow arrived in the 73rd minute when NEC defender Deveron Fonville inadvertently turned the ball past his own goalkeeper for an own goal, rounding off a 0–3 scoreline on the night and a 1–6 scoreline across the two-legged playoff tie.
What Comes Next for Nijmegen and Polster
For Polster, the sudden Champions League baptism provides invaluable top-tier experience as he settles into life in the Netherlands following his recent departure from WAC.
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