Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham | Europa League | Semi-Finals | 2nd Leg | Pre Match
Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur are poised to cement their place in the Europa League final as they head to the Aspmyra Stadion to face Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of their semi-final tie, armed with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Under the progressive management of Ange Postecoglou, Spurs have transformed their European campaign into a beacon of hope, blending high-octane attacking football with a resilience that has seen them overcome formidable opponents en route to the semi-finals. The first-leg victory, a convincing display of tactical superiority and clinical finishing, has positioned Tottenham as overwhelming favorites to advance to the final at San Mamés on May 21, a prospect that would mark a significant milestone in Postecoglou’s tenure. Historical precedent further bolsters their confidence: since the Europa League’s rebranding in the 2009-10 season, 92 teams have won the first leg of a knockout tie at home by two or more goals, and 83 have progressed, with all eight semi-finalists in similar positions reaching the final. For Spurs, the task is clear—maintain their composure in the hostile confines of Bodø/Glimt’s home ground and secure a result that will propel them to their first major European final since the 2019 Champions League. Yet, the challenge posed by Bodø/Glimt, a side renowned for their formidable home record and prolific scoring, ensures that Tottenham must remain vigilant to avoid an upset that could derail their European dreams.
The first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a showcase of Spurs’ attacking prowess and Postecoglou’s tactical acumen, as they dismantled a Bodø/Glimt side that had arrived in London with a reputation for causing problems in Europe. The 3-1 scoreline, while flattering, was a fair reflection of Tottenham’s dominance, with goals stemming from a combination of individual brilliance and well-executed team play. Dominic Solanke, who has emerged as a linchpin in Spurs’ European campaign, was instrumental, his physical presence and clinical finishing troubling the Norwegian defense throughout. Solanke’s eight goal involvements (four goals, four assists) in the Europa League this season have surpassed the contributions of any Spurs player in a single European campaign since Carlos Vinícius’ nine (six goals, three assists) in 2020-21, underscoring his importance to Postecoglou’s system. The victory marked Tottenham’s eighth win in the competition this season, a tally that equals their best-ever performance in a single European campaign, with the opportunity to set a new club record with a ninth win in Norway. However, Spurs’ away form in Europe presents a potential vulnerability. While they secured a gritty 1-0 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals, Tottenham have not won back-to-back away matches in major European competition since November 2013, when they strung together three consecutive victories in the Europa League. Their last such achievement in knockout stages came in March 2008, during the UEFA Cup, a statistic that highlights the challenge of maintaining consistency on the road. Postecoglou will need to ensure his side adapts to the unique conditions of the Aspmyra Stadion, where Bodø/Glimt’s passionate supporters and the Arctic climate could pose additional hurdles.
Bodø/Glimt, despite their first-leg defeat, remain a formidable proposition, particularly on their home turf, where they have established themselves as one of Europe’s most dangerous sides. Under the stewardship of Kjetil Knutsen, the Norwegian champions have turned the Aspmyra Stadion into a fortress, winning nine of their last 10 home European fixtures, including qualifiers, with their only loss a narrow 2-1 defeat to Qarabag in the league phase. Their scoring record at home is nothing short of remarkable, with 19 goals in the Europa League this season, a figure unmatched by any other team in the competition and surpassed only by Bayer Leverkusen’s 21 in 2023-24 since the 2009-10 campaign. Bodø/Glimt’s three knockout-stage wins in Europe over the past 12 matches have all come at home, including a statement 2-0 victory over Lazio in the quarter-finals, a result that underscored their ability to compete with elite opposition. Kasper Høgh, the Norwegian side’s talismanic striker, will be central to their hopes of orchestrating a comeback. Høgh’s seven goals in the Europa League this season, tied with Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes for the competition’s top scorer, have been delivered with a staggering 50% shot conversion rate, a figure matched only by the most clinical finishers. In the history of the Europa League, only Rangers’ James Tavernier in 2021-22 has scored as many goals in a single campaign with a higher conversion rate (seven goals, 53.8%). With captain Patrick Berg and Hakon Evjen returning from suspension, and Andreas Helmersen back after serving a ban for a red card against Lazio, Bodø/Glimt’s squad is bolstered, but they face an uphill battle to overturn a two-goal deficit against a Spurs side that has never lost to Norwegian opposition in Europe.
Tottenham’s historical dominance over Norwegian teams adds another layer of confidence to their preparations. The first-leg victory extended their perfect record to five wins from five against Norwegian sides in major European competition, a unique achievement for Spurs, who have never faced teams from any other nation more frequently while maintaining a 100% win rate. Bodø/Glimt, by contrast, have struggled against English opposition, losing all four of their previous encounters, including a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at home in October 2022. Notably, each of their other three losses to English teams—twice in the Europa League and once in the Conference League—has seen them concede exactly three goals, an ominous pattern given Tottenham’s 3-1 triumph in the first leg. The first-leg encounter, the first meeting between these two sides in European competition, highlighted the gulf in quality, with Spurs’ Premier League pedigree and attacking depth proving too much for Bodø/Glimt to handle. However, Tottenham’s preparations are not without complications. While Solanke is expected to be fit after a precautionary withdrawal in the first leg, the absence of key playmakers James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall, both likely sidelined for the season, deprives Postecoglou of creative options in midfield. The fitness of captain Son Heung-min, a talisman whose pace and finishing could exploit Bodø/Glimt’s high defensive line, remains in doubt, a concern that could force Postecoglou to rely on less experienced players or alter his tactical approach. Despite these challenges, Spurs’ squad depth and the momentum from their first-leg performance make them favorites to progress, provided they can navigate the cauldron of the Aspmyra Stadion.
As the second leg looms, the stakes could not be higher for both teams. For Tottenham, a place in the Europa League final represents a chance to end a 17-year trophy drought and cement Postecoglou’s legacy in his second season at the helm. The Australian’s philosophy, rooted in attacking football and relentless pressing, has revitalized a fanbase that has endured years of near-misses and disappointment, and a European trophy would be a fitting reward for their faith. The statistical weight of history—83 out of 92 teams progressing after a two-plus goal home win in the first leg, and all eight semi-finalists in similar positions reaching the final—suggests that Spurs are on the verge of a historic achievement. For Bodø/Glimt, the challenge is daunting but not insurmountable. Their home record, coupled with Høgh’s lethal finishing, gives them a flicker of hope, but they must defy their poor record against English sides and produce a performance of unprecedented quality to overturn the deficit. The Aspmyra Stadion, with its intimate atmosphere and raucous support, will be a crucial ally, but Tottenham’s experience and attacking firepower, led by Solanke and potentially Son, make them the likelier side to emerge victorious. As Postecoglou prepares his team for the Arctic challenge, the prospect of a final in Bilbao looms large, a tantalizing opportunity to etch their name into European football’s annals and deliver a moment of glory for a club desperate to reclaim its place among the elite.
