50-year wait over: Norwegian Bodø/Glimt sets historic Champions League record
“Bodø/Glimt” (photo: instagram.com/bodoglimt)
Norwegian Bodø/Glimt has become the biggest disruptor in the current Champions League campaign. Chetill Knutsen’s team not only eliminated the Italian giant but also set an achievement that no club had managed in over half a century, according to the portal OptaJoe.
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Finalist’s fiasco and Scandinavian sensation
The biggest surprise of the 2025/26 Champions League round of 32 was the exit of Milan’s Inter. Last year’s finalist lost to Bodø/Glimt on aggregate 5-2.
After a convincing home win for the Norwegians (3-1), they secured their success on the road, defeating the Nerazzurri 2-1.
Unique record in modern Champions League history
According to statistics portal OptaJoe, this success allowed the Norwegian club to set an absolute record for teams outside the “big five” leagues (England, Spain, Italy, Germany, and France).
Bodø/Glimt became the first team in the modern era to win four consecutive matches against clubs from Europe’s strongest leagues.
Earlier, Knutsen’s side had already defeated other football giants. The winning streak began in the league stage, where the Scandinavians consecutively beat Manchester City (3-1) and Atletico Madrid (2-1).
Historical parallels with Ajax
Such a series of results is unprecedented for the Champions League format. The last time something similar happened was with Amsterdam’s Ajax in the 1971/72 season.
At that time, the Dutch club also won four consecutive matches against top-league representatives and eventually claimed the trophy.
However, it should be noted that back then the tournament was called the European Champion Clubs’ Cup.
