Tottenham Hotspur are venturing north again, this time facing Bodø/Glimt in a Champions League clash that evokes memories of their previous Europa League semi-final encounter. The match marks a historic moment for Norway, hosting its first Champions League group stage game in 18 years.
Bodo/Glimt's Rise: From Arctic Circle to Champions League
Bodo/Glimt, hailing from a city of less than 50,000 people above the Arctic Circle, have defied expectations. Dominating Norwegian football with four league titles in the last five seasons, they've transitioned from Europa League debutants to Champions League contenders. Their small stadium will be buzzing as they welcome Europe's elite.
Last time these two met, Bodo/Glimt's fullback wasn't impressed with Tottenham's pressing, which seemed to irk then Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou.
The Secret Weapon: A Fighter Pilot's Mindset
Bodo/Glimt's success isn't attributed to star players or tactical masterminds, but to a strong team culture and spirit. Key to this is their mental coach, Bjorn Mannsverk, a former fighter pilot. Mannsverk, who still works for the Norwegian Oil Fund, focuses on building psychological resilience within the team.
Spurs' Creative Challenge
Meanwhile, Tottenham face a challenge in maintaining their early-season creativity. Despite being fourth in the Premier League, they rank ninth in chance creation. Manager Thomas Frank highlighted the team's new attacking lineup, suggesting they are still finding their rhythm. “Last year,” said Frank, “most of the games, it was [Dejan] Kulusevski, [James] Maddison, Sonny [Heung-min] and Dom[inic Solanke] who played. Now we have more or less a new front four and they are doing very well. Maybe we are creating more chances, dominating a bit
Will Spurs' experience prevail, or can Bodo/Glimt's unique mental fortitude lead them to victory? The Arctic Circle awaits a thrilling Champions League battle.