Sporting was swept aside in the first half of the last eight by Bodø/Glimt, without anyone explaining it with either art, grass or climate. The BBC, which has seen things as far as a miracle, has turned it around and refers to it as an adventurous journey, based on strength and skill without mentioning the benefits of playing football north of the Arctic Circle.
It was the fifth straight win for the Norwegian underdog who, in his debut season in the tournament itself, stumbled their way to the play-off round by finishing in 23rd place in league play.
Bodø/Glimt 3 – Sporting 0
Bodø did not win any of their first six Champions League games, but delivered remarkable victories over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid to book a playoff meeting with last year’s finalists Inter Milan – and then beat the three-time Champions League winners both home and away.
Read: Atletico Madrid targets Norwegian superpartner for Sørloth
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen chose the same team that won the four games, for the fifth time – something only Auxerre have previously done in the tournament’s history 23 years ago.
Their guests, weakened by injuries and suspensions, simply could not handle the home side’s trademark high-energy and high-pressure approach, and most of all, their superior patience in attack.
Sporting’s top scorer Luis Suarez’s attempt from a corner kick in the fifth minute was deflected over the crossbar as the Lions quickly settled into Aspmyra’s artificial turf, with his interplay with Francisco Trincao looking promising.
But then Jens Petter Hauge whizzed a volley past the post at the other end after a great return from Håkon Evjen, and his team soon began to tighten their grip.
Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva had to storm out of the box to stop Evjen with his legs, while Luis Guilhermes’ low shot was held by Nikita Haikin at the other end.
The game changed in the 32nd minute when the visitors’ defender Georgios Vagiannidis was considered to have pushed over Sondre Fet after a beautiful touch from Kasper Høgh.
After a video referee (VAR) review, Fet got up to coolly send Rui Silva the wrong way from the penalty spot.
In injury time in the first half, Ole Blomberg took advantage of a dribbled ball into the box with a wonderful first touch and silky smooth finish, which triggered wild scenes of jubilation among the home crowd.
Sporting improved after the break and responded with Suarez shooting wide from the left side of the box and Trincao having a powerful shot blocked.
Read on Sporten: Bodø/Glimt supporters will love the Sporting coach’s analysis!
But Bodø struck back when Høgh pushed in Hauge’s low cross in the 71st minute, while Hauge almost curled in a fourth towards the end.
They will head to Lisbon for the return leg next Tuesday, where the capacity of the Jose Alvalade Stadium could accommodate almost every inhabitant of the fishing community they call home.
And where Bodø will try to write a new historic chapter in their fantastic story by booking a quarter-final against Arsenal or Bayer Leverkusen.
Sondre Fet scored from the penalty spot and put Bodø/Glimt on their way to a sensational success.
Bodø performance “not a surprise” for Knutsen
After an unexpectedly tame performance from a team enjoying its best season in Europe’s premier club competition in over 40 years, Sporting defender Ivan Fresneda apologised to the 200 travelling fans who ventured to the Arctic Circle, as well as to those at home in Portugal.
“It was very difficult for us, we started really well, but after the first few minutes we started playing in a low block and they were comfortable,” he said.
“It’s just the first half. It’s very difficult, they’re a very tough team. At home, it will be different. We have to do everything we didn’t do in this [half]. We have to give our best.”
Bodø’s goalscorer and the best player on the pitch Fet felt that his team could have gained even more control in their dominant first-half performance.
He added: “It will be a very difficult game in Lisbon, but if we just continue the way we defend and attack as a team, I think we can cause trouble for them there as well.”
While he was delighted with the overconfidence his team showed in attack, Bodø coach Knutsen also maintained that the match was “only half two” and not “settled”.
“I’m very pleased with how good we were in the build-up play and with creating imbalances almost every time we had the ball in the first half,” he added.
“The second half was different, so we’re a bit lucky. It’s a good achievement, but it’s no surprise to me.”
Player of the match
Number: 10
J. Hauge
Average Rating
9.20
Bodø/Glimt
(active)
Sporting CP
Number:
10
J. Hauge
Average rating:
9.20
Number:
9
K. Høgh
Average rating:
9.19
Number:
12
N. Haikin
Average rating:
9.16
Number:
11
O. Blomberg
Average rating:
9.15
Number:
19
S. Bold
Average rating:
9.12
Number:
26
H. Evjen
Average rating:
9.08
Number:
7
P. Berg
Average rating:
9.07
Number:
20
F. Sjøvold
Average rating:
8.99
Number:
4
O. Bjørtuft
Average rating:
8.98
Number:
6
J. Gundersen
Average rating:
8.97
Number:
15
F. Birch
Average rating:
8.89
Number:
8
S. Auklend
Average rating:
8.51
Number:
21
A. Helmersen
Average rating:
8.48
Number:
14
U. Saltnes
Average rating:
8.42
Number:
25
I. Määttä
Average rating:
8.39
