Arctic Football Team Bodø/Glimt With Historic Champions League Win Against Manchester City
Bodø/Glimt hosted Manchester City and Erling Braut Haaland at Aspmyra stadium Tuesday night. (Photo: Hilde Bye / High North News).
Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): On Tuesday, Bodø/Glimt became the first Arctic team to win a Champions League match. Glimt stunned the guests from Manchester with a 3-1 win.
On Tuesday, the Arctic city of Bodø was set to host a momentous match between Bodø/Glimt and Manchester City at Glimt's home stadium, Aspmyra.
Glimt shocked the blue visitors from Manchester with a 3-1 victory under wild scenes at Aspmyra.
Manchester City is one of the most successful clubs in the English Premier League in recent years. Manager Pep Guardiola's chosen men for the big match in the North included Phil Foden, Rodri, and striker Erling Braut Haaland.
Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland and Glimt captain Patrick Berg. (Photo: Hilde Bye / High North News).
World-class opponents
"[...] the world's best striker! Meeting the world's best players is a great learning experience, and it will be a cool challenge," commented Bodø/Glimt's Odin Bjørtuft at a press conference on Monday.
"I feel like we have managed to surprise teams with our playing style. I don't think everyone has been prepared for us to be so offensive and true to our identity, even when facing bigger clubs," said Bjørtuft when asked how the team would manage to stop City.
"We have had some fantastic experiences as a club, especially in recent years," said Glimt captain Patrick Berg ahead of the match, and added:
"Meeting Pep Guardiola and his team after what they have achieved in recent seasons is incredible. Getting to meet them and see where we stand in relation to the very highest level will be our biggest challenge so far."
Glimt's Kasper Høgh (center) scored two goals during yesterdays's match against Manchester City.
Wild scenes
And what an opening it was at Aspmyra on this late winter evening in January.
Bodø/Glimt started offensively with several nice runs into the opponent's half.
After 22 minutes, Aspmyra exploded when Kasper Høgh headed the ball into the goal at the back post and sent Glimt into the lead.
Only two minutes later, Glimt shook the blue guests from Manchester once again as Høgh scored 2-0.
What an evening in the North!
Glimt's Kasper Høgh scores.
Historic
The second half was no less dramatic.
After 58 minutes, Håkon Evjen wins the ball in midfield, who plays it out to Høgh, and then to Jens Petter Hauge, who shoots, making the score 3-0 for Glimt.
The team from the capital of Nordland shocks Aspmyra.
Shortly afterwards, however, the reduction comes from City and Rayan Cherki.
It also becomes dramatic minutes later when Rodri receives two yellow cards in just over a minute and has to leave the field.
Glimt gets several big chances afterwards and manages to secure the victory after 94 minutes played.
This was the fourth and final home match for Bodø/Glimt in this year's Champions League season. With a 3-1 win over one of the world's best football teams, Glimt becomes the first Arctic team to win a Champions League match, at home in the North.
See more pictures from the match:
Glimt's Jens Petter Hauge scored one goal during tonight's match.
The J section at Aspmyra, housing Bodø/Glimt's supporter club.
Away supporters from Manchester.
Erling Braut Haaland visited Aspmyra.
Glimt players in offense.
Corner to Manchester City.
Glimt with another offensive play.
Far left: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Right: Glimt's coach Kjetil Knutsen.