It’s not just Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and his fellow Norwegian Olympians running rampant in Milan. The tiny Nordic nation leads the medal count with 33 total, 15 of those gold, five of those just for Klæbo.
Another Type of Gold
But 3,100km to north, just above the Arctic Circle, a different Norwegian team wearing yellow put on a gold medal display against Inter Milan. Everyone’s favorite arctic underdog Bodø/Glimt did the unthinkable today, Inter Milan, one of the strongest European clubs, in a commanding performance.
Really, did anyone think that this scrappy little club, whose pitch was under 80 tons of snow 48 hours before kickoff, might NOT be capable of this upset?
Late Bloomers
After six games in the group stage, Bodø/Glimt had three points off three draws and were 32nd in the table. They were so deep in the relegation zone, escape looked impossible, particularly since their next two opponents were Manchester City (at home) and Atlético Madrid (away). To the world’s amazement, they won both games, pulling themselves up to 23rd and into the playoffs.
So why not host the mighty Internazionale, the team that reached the Champions League finals last season, and win? Some detractors will loudly proclaim that Aspmyra’s artificial turf or coastal Arctic weather gives them an unfair advantage. Poppycock. They actually have a better road record (1W 2D 1L vs. 1W 1D 2L). That argument doesn’t hold water.
Utterly Merciless
The brutal truth is Bodø’s win wasn’t a fluke. They owned Nerazzurri. Inter may have had more shots (15 to 8), but Bodø’s finishing was clinical. They put 75% of their efforts on frame, the second highest percentage of any team with a minimum of eight shots. The only team better than that? Themselves, with a 91% (10 of 11) against Slavia Prague.
This pattern of ruthlessness is even more pronounced when they travel. In the group stage, their average on frame shooting was 59% when away, the highest of any team in the playoffs by a huge margin.
I’m not saying Bodø has it locked. Going into the San Siro next week will be tough. But their track record in hostile stadiums (see their 2-1 win over Atlético) should give them tremendous confidence. And a two goal margin might give them enough cushion to hold onto the upset.
The Qooligan is a respected Sports Journalist specializing in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League who holds a Masters – History from Columbia University. With extensive experience in Sports Journalism, particularly in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League, The Qooligan provides expert analysis and valuable insights based on years of professional practice. You can read more of The Qooligan’s professional background on Hooligan Soccer and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with The Qooligan on X and Bluesky. The Qooligan is an alias of Hooligan Soccer founder Q Williams. Q is a 20+ year veteran of numerous technology and media companies, including MTV, Gracenote, Watchwith and Crunchyroll. He has a master’s degree in European History from Columbia University. As an established authority in Sports Journalism with specialized knowledge in Soccer, Premier League and Champions League, The Qooligan is committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy content that reflects both expertise and experience.
