On Thursday, Bodø/Glimt achieved another feat by beating Celtic 2-0 in the second leg and 5-1 on aggregate in the conference league.
They will meet AZ Alkmaar of the Netherlands in the round of 16.
– This is an opponent that I have seen for a few games and I think we can compete with them. It’s a good team, so two good teams meet. A fun draw and someone we’re looking forward to meeting, Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen tells TV 2.
So there will be a meeting with former Glimt player Håkon Evjen.
– It’s a bit funny. Håkon Evjenis is a player we are very fond of.
He went to the Dutch club after winning the league in 2019, where he had 16 goals and six assists.
In addition, Aslak Fonn Wittry and Fredrik Midtsjø are in the stable.
– Great chance for us to meet him. He is now playing a bit after a tough fight to get into the playing eleven. He has smelled a little of Bodø/Glimt, maybe he has a little difference of opinion about whose side he is on, jokes Knutsen.
Bodø/Glimt has previously tried to bring Evjen back to Aspmyra.
The first game will be played on March 10 in Aspmyra in Bodø and away on March 17.
HAPPY: Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen is happy to meet AZ Alkmaar. Photo: Roy Arne Salater, TV 2
– Nice draw
– Were you afraid of others?
– No, no, no, says Knutsen, who calls Rennes the strongest of the other teams.
This is how the round of 16 is played in the conference league
PSV – Copenhagen
Partizan Belgrade – Feyenoord
Leicester – Rennes
Vitesse – Rome
Slavia Praha – LASK Linz
PAOK – Ghent
Bodø/Glimt – AZ Alkmaar
Marseille – Basel
TV 2 football expert Jesper Mathisen believes that Glimt has every reason to be satisfied with the draw.
– This is an opponent that Glimt has every chance of winning as they are now. I don’t think they scared anyone after what they have done so far this season. Nice draw with a chance to go even further, says TV 2 football expert Jesper Mathisen.
– It’s two close matches and even closer than against Celtic, he says.
On March 13, Bodø/Glimt will meet Aalesund in the fourth round of the cup. They hope to postpone it.
– We hope to move the cup match. We are in contact with the association on this matter. We would prefer to do it on Thursday and I hope they will help us with optimal preparation.
José Mourinho and Roma, who were thrashed 6-1 at home by Glimt in the group stage, face Vitesse.
TRAINING IN THE SNOW: Bodø/Glimt held a training session in Aspmyra the day after beating Celtic.
Devastated with Celtic
On Friday morning, Glimt trained in heavy snow at Aspmyra, a day after Celtic were beaten 2-0.
“Celtic is a giant club when it comes to many things and it’s really impossible for Bodø/Glimt to be that much better in two matches, but Kjetil Knutsen’s team never ceases to impress us,” said TV 2 football expert Jesper. Mathisen after being promoted on Thursday.
– We can only wait for the continuation with excitement and Bodø/Glimt will be able to offer a very difficult match to all teams in this tournament, he believes.
Knutsen: – It is incredible to be happy after a football match with the world we live in
– Will they make it to the finals?
– There is still a long way to go, but of course they can reach the finals, said Mathisen.
The final will be played on May 25 in Tirana, Albania.