Because even though there was a loss against Ruud van Nilstelrooy’s PSV in Bodø, Glimt secured the important third place in the Europa League’s Group A. But they needed a helping hand from London, where Arsenal beat FC Zürich 1–0. As group third in the Europa League, Bodø/Glimt is qualified for the round of 16 in the Serie Liga – i.e. one step down on the European tournament ladder. It is a tournament Kjetil Knutsen’s crew has fond memories of. Just over a year ago, Roma were smashed 6-1 at Aspmyra in the Serie Liga. There Glimt can draw teams such as Fiorentina (Italy), Anderlecht (Belgium), Nice (France) and Basel (Switzerland) – to name a few. Unlucky own goal The PSV stars allowed themselves to be fascinated by the northern lights in Bodø on Wednesday, and on Thursday evening they were the ones who shone brightest from the start in Bodø. After just one minute, they created the game’s first half-chance, and then a small indication of what was to come. Glimt fought more into the game in the first half, but after just over half an hour, it suddenly became quiet at the otherwise lively Aspmyra stadium. The Dutch took the lead in what must be described as a strange late goal. Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin could do little about the unfortunate own goal from Alfons Sampsted after just over half an hour had been played. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news Hodesterke Luuk de Jong towered highest on a corner and headed the ball towards the back post. There, PSV’s Ki-Jana Hoever headed away from goal, but the ball hit the back of Glimt’s Alfons Sampsted’s head and went back in an arc over goalkeeper Nikita Haikin. The guests could not help but cheer for themselves over the own goal, as the away fans are not allowed to enter the stadium in Bodø. The European Football Association (Uefa) has banned PSV from selling tickets for the match in Bodø, after there was a supporter row in the away meeting with Arsenal last Thursday in London. However, that did not prevent some Dutch visitors from climbing a tree outside the stadium to catch a glimpse of the match. The PSV supporters did not have access to tonight’s match at Aspmyra, but there was no ban on climbing a tree outside the stadium. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news Countered in the middle Six minutes after the break, Glimt hunted for an equaliser. Kjetil Knutsen had sent all the players up for a corner, but when the short variant ended up in ball mist, the PSV players had an airstrip equivalent to Bodø Airport to frolic on. Anwar El Ghazi rushed towards the goal, and alone with the goalkeeper he rolled the ball to teammate Johan Bakayoko, who easily scored 2–0. Barely a quarter of an hour later, Ola Solbakken was able to reduce the score to 2–1 from an acute angle, but was stopped by a Dutch leg parade by Joel Drommel. Glimt continued to play at high risk, but again there was a dangerous break in their own half. This time it was Noni Madueke who was given a half of the pitch to run alone towards the goal, but amazingly he put the finish in the clutches of Haikin. Just over two and a half minutes into added time, substitute Nino Zugelj spun a merry-go-round with the visitors’ defense and scored 1-2, but it was a little too little, and a little too late for the Bodøværings. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news Supported the harassment Glimt player from the stands At Wednesday’s press conference before the match, an open-hearted Kjetil Knutsen told about the harassment that back Brice Wembangomo had received for a long period. – He experiences incitement and bullying online, and also what comes into his phone. It is incredibly disappointing. We cannot accept that. We have to stand up for him, said a clearly committed Knutsen. The Glimt fans had taken that call seriously before the meeting with PSV, where the protagonist himself, Wembangomo, was injured. In several places around the stadium, the supporters had hung up banners in support of the defender. Photo: Andreas Nilsen Trygstad / news
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Glimt ready for more European Cup games, despite the loss against PSV – news Nordland
