Two Norwegian teams will fight for the group stage in the series league on Thursday evening. Brann and Bodø/Glimt have both drawn from the first match, against Dutch AZ Alkmaar and Romanian Sepsi respectively. It is therefore completely open who will advance. Glimpse – Sepsis starts at 18.00, Fire – AZ Alkmaar at 19.00. Could be historic If both teams win, Norway will for the very first time have three Norwegian clubs in group play in Europe: Brann, Bodø/Glimt (both Conference League) and Molde (Europa League). – It is historic, says Leif Øverland, managing director of Norsk Toppfotball. Norway has indeed had three teams in the group stage in Europe at the same time – the last time was in 2005. But not after the Europa League, as we know it today, came in 2009, points out Øverland. Three teams in the group stage will also increase the chance for more Norwegian clubs in the European tournaments. – It would have been a dream, says Øverland. Goal setting for Norwegian top football The European Football Association (UEFA) has a points system, a so-called coefficient ranking of European clubs. The coefficient is based on the results of the clubs in the last five years. Nations receive points for wins and draws in all matches played in European tournaments. This is how UEFA’s points distribution looks like on Thursday morning. Photo: UEFA / Screenshot As of today, Norway is in 15th place in this ranking. With a 13th, 14th or 15th place, we will get one extra team into European games in 2025. According to Øverland, top 14 is an important goal for Norwegian Top Football. – If you compare with the Premier League, they have seven teams in Europe. If little Norway gets five… That sounds completely silly! Then we can stop complaining that only the big leagues get all the opportunities. Then little Norway has got a fantastic opportunity!, says Øverland. The position is not final until the Champions League final has been played on 1 June next year. But if Brann and Bodø/Glimt progress tonight, the chances are good. – I think we will reach the goal of the top 14 if we get three teams into the group stage. Victories tonight will pave the way for several clubs On Tuesday, Molde was eliminated from the Champions League qualification after losing to Turkish Galatasaray. But they are still guaranteed group stage in the Europa League. On Thursday evening, Brann and Bodø/Glimt will, as mentioned, try and qualify for the series league, which is the Norwegian name for the Conference League. Bodø/Glimt’s Ulrik Saltnes in the match against Armenian FC Pyunik, who they eventually knocked out of the qualification for the group stage in the series league. Photo: Annika Byrde / NTB If they succeed, there will be three teams in the group stage in Europe, and thus one extra opportunity for other Norwegian teams to play in the most prestigious European tournaments. In theory, therefore, advancement for Brann and Bodø/Glimt could benefit all the other elite series clubs. Viking fans: – Will not cheer for other teams Viking is one of the teams fighting in the top tier of the Eliteserien this year. As of today, they are tied with Bodø/Glimt for first place, with the same number of points. Despite possible European games in the pot, the Viking supporters have no plans to cheer on their Norwegian colleagues tonight. – In no way whatsoever. We cheer for Viking, and we will cheer for the team we cheer for, notes Roar Åkerlund, chairman of the supporters’ club Vikinghordene. He emphasizes that he cannot speak for everyone, but believes that if you are going to play in Europe, you must be good enough according to today’s conditions. – European games are what you want for your own team, not for someone else, concludes Åkerlund. Brann’s supporters manager: – Totally stupid Chairman of Brann’s supporters’ club, Battalion, Erlend Vågane, takes the same line: – As long as it benefits Brann, then it is positive. If it doesn’t benefit Fire, then it doesn’t matter much. There is no doubt who Erlend Vågane (in the middle of the picture) will be cheering for tonight. Photo: Brann Bataljonen Bergen – It is very out of the box to cheer for other Norwegian teams that are not Brann for us, or at least for me. After all, we are Brann supporters, he continues. He admits that Bodø/Glimt is not necessarily their worst enemy in Norway. – But at least I can’t cheer for other Norwegian teams who are otherwise rivals. It goes completely crazy in my head. We are opponents, says Vågane. Cheering for all three Øverlands in Norwegian Top Football believes it will be an important step for Norwegian football. – With five teams in Europe, most elite league teams will see that it is actually possible to be one of the five. Fire is an incredibly good example of that. They played in the Obos league last year. Who dreamed they would be playing in the group stage in Europe tonight? No. Even though he himself is a Ham-Kam supporter, Øverland will be watching tonight’s two games with excitement. – Naturally, I hope for three more teams. Brann face a very good team – that match is open, as I see it. I will also be very disappointed if Bodø/Glimt doesn’t make it tonight.
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Norwegian success tonight can ensure more Norwegian teams in Europe – news Vestland
