Besiktas has almost become a “regular” opponent for Bodø/Glimt with five meetings in the last 20 years. Last year, Glimt emerged victorious from both matches, but before the start on Thursday, the visiting Besiktas supporter Ahmed was crystal clear to news: – We will win, we believe in it, he said confidently. Previous meetings between Glimt and Besiktas In 2004, the teams met for a doubleheader in the 1st round of the UEFA Cup. Runar Berg (1-0) gave the Nordics an early lead, but the Turks equalized through Ahmed Hassan just before full time. The subsequent match in Istanbul ended 1-0. Ibrahim Üzülmez scored the goal that secured Besiktas’ promotion with a 2-1 aggregate victory. In 2023, the teams met again – that time in the UEFA Conference League’s Group D for the 23/24 season. Bodø/Glimt emerged victorious from the Aspmyra meeting with 3-1 in the goal score after scores by Albert Grønbæk (1-0), Faris Pemi Moumbagna (2-0), Ulrik Saltnes (3-0) and Brede Moe (own goal, 3 -1). The All Yellows also repeated the feat in Istanbul when three points were collected on Glimt’s points account once again after 1-2 and scores by Faris Pemi Moumbagna (0-1), Moumbagna (0-2) and Tayfur Bingöl (1-2). But Ahmed must go home disappointed. After shaking off a terrible start, it is the yellow-clad team that, for the third time in a row, take all the points with them. Glimt is now guaranteed further play in the Europa League. Turnaround Last time Glimt went out at Aspmyra, they got a quick cold shower when relegation-ready LSK put the ball in the goal after just 11 minutes. This time too, it was a bad start from the yellow-clad. A loss of the ball from Zinckernagel led to a strong counterattack by the away team. Baktiyor Zajnutdinov rushed down Glimt’s right, hit a good cross at the back where Gedson Fernandes headed in 0-1. The Besiktas fans were positive before the start, and after 21 minutes they could cheer for 0–1. Photo: Lars-Bjørn Martinsen / news In the first half hour, there was an abnormally weak and unaggressive Glimt team out on the artificial turf in Bodø. Besiktas controlled most of it and deservedly led after 35 minutes played. But like the match against LSK, it seemed that Glimt needed some time to get into the flow zone. Because after two quick goals, respectively from Philip Zinckernagel and Odin Bjørtuft, the match was suddenly turned on its head. Odin Bjørtuft and the rest of Glimt celebrate with the fans after 2–1. Photo: Lars-Bjørn Martinsen / news – We are leading 2–1 and would like to attack more, said Glimt’s coach Gaute Helstrup to Viaplay during the break. Can go straight ahead The Glimt players also seemed to be more fired up, because unlike the first half, it was the home team who controlled the second half. Despite the fact that both Fredrik Bjørkan, Philip Zinckernagel and Ulrik Saltnes had great chances to break the game, there were no more goals for Glimt. At the end of the match there was massive pressure from the away team, but it was only almost and the match ended 2-1 to Bodø/Glimt. Jens Petter Hauge pushes Jonas Svensson. Both with matches for the national team. Photo: Lars-Bjørn Martinsen / news That leaves Bodø/Glimt with 10 points after six games played in this year’s new version of the Europa League. To progress to the playoffs, Glimt must be among the top 24, and analyzes have shown that 9 points is sufficient. In other words; Glimt will get at least a playoff when the last two games against Tel-Aviv (home) and Nice (away) are finished. Should Glimt also win their last two matches, they will have 16 points. Then, according to the analyses, Glimt will be among the eight best, and go directly to the play-offs. Glimt now enter a short Christmas break, before they begin the run-up to the games against Tel-Aviv and Nice, which will be played on 23 and 30 January. Besiktas, on the other hand, have six points and need at least one win to advance to the playoffs. Published 12/12/2024, at 22.57 Updated 12.12.2024, at 23.06
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