Bodø/Glimt Breaks Records: First Norwegian Team in Semis

Embed from Getty Images

The heroic act made by Bodo Glimt in their Europe League quarter final win vs. Lazio was one very special happening. They had a 2-0 lead from the first game at home. Coming back to score from being
3-0 down, was one of the heroic acts.

Many players performed at a very high level. Jens Petter Hauge, in particular, had crucial passes and involvements. These were not used in the best way possible.

Bodo Glimt forward Andreas Helmersen could have put the game to bed earlier. Jens Petter Hauge played him through on an open goal. However, he missed his massive chance. He made everything out a new attempt scoring with a brilliant header, taking the game to penalty shoot-outs.

This is the first time a Norwegian team reach a semi-final in any European competition of importance. Bodo Glimt is not finished as they believe getting to the final will be possible. Man Utd or Atletic Bilbao will be their opponent, if they are able to defeat Tottenham.

Bodø/Glimt make history 💛#UEL pic.twitter.com/eGzb6zzYPb
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 17, 2025

Their goalkeeper Niktia Haikin made the impossible possible with heroic saves in the penalty shoot-out. He saved three attempts. He was man of the match, despite letting in three goals. This man has a very special journey in football. He is born in Israel and grew up in Russia.

He joined Bodo Glimt in 2019, then in 2022 being released by the club. On 25 January 2023, after leaving Bodø/Glimt, Haikin signed a short-term contract, joining English Championship club Bristol City until the end of the season. Haikin ended his short term stay at Bristol City on 21 March 2023, re-signing with Bodø/Glimt the same day, on a contract until the summer of 2026.

On 17 April 2025, during the second leg of Bodø/Glimt’s UEFA Europa League tie against Lazio, Haikin saved two penalty kicks, helping the team become the first Norwegian club to reach the semi-finals of a European competition.

Following the journey of the Norwegians will be exciting. Their squad has just a few foreign players. Besides Russian goalkeeper Nikita Haikin, the three others are the Danes, Kasper Hogh, Mikkel Bro Hansen and Jeppe Kjær.

LATEST UPDATES