Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham: UEFA Europa League Semi-Final 2nd Leg, 2025 Preview

Brandon Williams | 8 May 2025

Tottenham faces an arduous journey into the Arctic to play Bodø/Glimt in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. With a 3-1 aggregate lead, Spurs are looking to book their place in Bilbao, but Bodø/Glimt’s outstanding home form could make this tie far from over.

Tottenham’s Challenge to Protect Their Lead

Tottenham earned a comfortable lead in the first leg with goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, and Dominic Solanke. However, a late goal from Ulrik Saltnes gave Bodø/Glimt a glimmer of hope and raised questions about Tottenham’s defensive resolve.

This match is crucial for Spurs, not just for their European ambitions but also for the future of manager Ange Postecoglou. A lackluster domestic campaign has left the club battling near the bottom of the league, and winning the Europa League could be Postecoglou’s last chance to retain his job. Despite league troubles, a Europa League win would be a major achievement for the Australian coach.

Tottenham has not won a major trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and their last European title came in 1984 when they triumphed in the UEFA Cup.

Bodø/Glimt’s European Glory Dream

Bodø/Glimt has defied expectations throughout this competition. Under the leadership of Kjetil Knutsen, they have dominated Norway’s Eliteserien, winning four titles in five years. Their penalty shootout victory over Lazio in the quarterfinals made them the first Norwegian team to reach a European semi-final, and now they are eyeing a historic final appearance.

Their home form is exceptional, having lost only seven of 37 European matches since 2020. They are especially tough to beat at their artificial pitch, where conditions and freezing temperatures give them an edge over most European sides.

Odin Bjortuft, Bodø/Glimt’s center-back, explained why the conditions play to their advantage: “The ball moves quickly, and it’s harder for defenders to get close. That’s where we gain the upper hand.”

The Task Ahead for Tottenham

Tottenham has struggled defensively this season, conceding three or more goals on eight occasions. But with a two-goal lead, they only need to focus on securing a solid performance in the second leg. Ninety minutes stand between Spurs and a return to a European final, six years after their Champions League appearance in Madrid.

Team News

• Bodø/Glimt:
  Patrick Berg, Andreas Helmersen, and Hakon Evjen are available after missing the first leg due to suspensions. Bjortuft remains a doubt with an injury.
• Tottenham:
  Dominic Solanke, who missed the match against West Ham, is fit to play. Heung-min Son is still sidelined, though he may feature against Crystal Palace. James Maddison is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, joining Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin on the injury list.

Likely Lineups

Bodø/Glimt (4-3-3):
Haikin; Sjøvold, Gundersen, Bjørtuft, Bjørkan; Berg, Saltnes, Evjen; Blomberg, Høgh, Hauge

Tottenham (4-3-3):
Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Bentancur, Bissouma, Kulusevki; Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison

Key Players

• Bodø/Glimt: Patrick Berg
  The return of Patrick Berg is crucial for Bodø/Glimt. Known for his strong defensive work, he averages 4.4 tackles and 1.9 interceptions per 90 minutes in the Europa League. His set-piece delivery will also be key in creating dangerous opportunities.
• Tottenham: Cristian Romero
  With Son and Maddison unavailable, Romero will take on the leadership role. His experience and calm defensive presence will be essential in ensuring Tottenham progresses to the final. The Argentine has matured significantly, cutting out key opportunities and guiding his defense with poise.

The Road to Bilbao

This semi-final promises drama as both sides fight for a historic final in Bilbao. While Tottenham holds the advantage, Bodø/Glimt’s home form and resolute spirit make them a formidable opponent.

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