The opponent
Founded in 1916, FK Bodø/Glimt (Glimt meaning lightning strike) earned its first successes in 1975, when the then second divisionist won the Norwegian Cup. A promotion in 1976 resulted in an ensuing runner-up spot in 1977 behind Lillestrøm. In 1993, a second Cup followed. The last promotion to the Eliteserien chimed in a successful stint for the team, winning the league both in 2020 and in 2021, and coming in in second place in 2019 and 2022. The team also earned kudos on the European scene, besting AS Roma 6-1 in the group stages, and getting past Celtic and AZ on its way to the Quarter Finals where it again met with later winners AS Roma. Last season, the team again made it through the European winter.
Built in 1966, and renovated in 1980 and in 2008, the Aspmyra Stadion is the home ground to the Norwegian team, offering room for 8,270 fans. An artificial pitch graces the stadium which has been host to the Norwegian national team once so far.
Two current Club Brugge pillars have had a great stint at the club:
- Hugo Vetlesen signed from Stabæk Fotball in October of 2020, just in time to help the team towards a first league title. In 2021, a second league win followed, while 2022 may well be his defining year so far, scoring 16 and producing 12 assists. He was elected the Eliteserien's player of the year award that year.
- In March of 2018, Philip Zinckernagel joined the team from Danish SönderjyskE. With 19 goals and 24 assists, he helped the team to second place in his second season (2019). He was also the Eliteserien Player Of the Year, earning him a transfer to Premier League club Watford.
Other players who have featured at both teams are Norwegians Bengt Sæternes (Eliteserien striker of the year in 2002 at Glimt) and Tom Høgli.
An enticing season in Norway sees a few title contenders, with FK Bodø/Glimt in charge with 1 point ahead of Viking FK and 3 ahead of Tromsø IL. Other teams that have at one point played Club Brugge in Europe are Brann (4th), Lillestrøm (6th), Rosenborg (9th) and Vålerenga (11th).
The opening day in the UEFA Europa Conference League Group Stages saw draws for both contenders. Club faced Turkish Besiktas JK in a fiery home opener. Hans Vanaken opened the score well in the second half, only to see it cancelled out by Cenk Tosun's equaliser. (1-1)
Glimt paid a visit to Swiss FC Lugano, where the hosts had the best chance at goal when a corner kick was cleared from the goal line by striker Moumbagna in a spectacular fashion. In the dying minutes of the game, Grønbæk's unique opportunity to bring the points to Norway ended up against the woordwork, making it a goalless draw between the two contenders.
The man in black
Mr. Ondřej Berka has been appointed as the ref in chargethis game. He will be backed by his Czech compatriots Mr. Ivo Nádvorník and Mr. Matěj Vlček (linesmen) and Mr. Dominik Starý (fourth official).
This will be the 7th time a Czech ref blows the whistle in a European encounter involving club. Mr. Berka is a 35 year old ref from Prague, who has been at the highest level in his home country since 2016, with a permit for international games since 2021.
In charge of VAR will be Mr. José Luis Munuera Montero (Esp), backed by Mr. Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín. Croatian ref Mr. Igor Pristovnik will be the ref's observar appointed by UEFA. Following the game for UEFA will be Mr. Lennart Vestervall (Swe).
