Bodø/Glimt clinches Champions League return after decisive playoff

Bodø/Glimt secured a place in the Champions League after a 3‑0 win over NEC Nijmegen in the playoff second leg on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, confirming the Norwegian surprise team’s return to the Königsklasse. The decisive victory, highlighted by goals from Fredrik Björkan, Sondre Auklend and an own‑goal by Deveron Fonville, clinched the tie on aggregate.

Playoff triumph seals Champions League spot

The 3‑0 victory in the Playoff‑Rückspiel added to the 3‑1 success in the Hinspiel, giving Bodø/Glimt a 6‑1 aggregate win and confirming their place in the Gruppenphase of the Fußball‑Champions‑League. The match took place on Dienstag, and the Gastgeber (hosts) Bodø/Glimt dominated from the first whistle.

Key moments and goal scorers

Fredrik Björkan opened the scoring in added time of the first half (45.+2), followed shortly by Sondre Auklend (45.+6). The third goal arrived in the 73rd minute as Deveron Fonville inadvertently pushed a cross over his own line, registering an Eigentor. Early in the game, NEC goalkeeper Gonzalo Crettaz was sent off by referee Michael Oliver after Ole Blomberg’s cross struck his hand, leaving the Dutch side a man down.

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What lies ahead in the group stage

Last season’s Achtelfinalist was eliminated in the knockout‑playoffs by Inter Milan after the group stage and then fell 0‑5 to Sporting Lissabon in the round of 16. This season, the Überraschungsteam der Vorsaison (surprise team of the previous season) will join the 36‑team pool after the draw in Monaco on Thursday, guaranteeing at least eight more matches in the Königsklasse.

The atmosphere in the small town of Bodø was electric, with fans celebrating the Playoff‑Sieg (playoff win) well into the night. The Norweger (Norwegians) praised the team’s Energie and Spielfreude (energy and joy) as they lifted the trophy.

Looking forward, Bodø/Glimt can anticipate further stories in the Königsklasse, with the club hoping to add more memorable moments to its growing European résumé.