Bodø/Glimt Edges Twente in Thrilling Europa League Clash

BODØ, Norway — Bodø/Glimt pulled off a sensational comeback against FC Twente in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League knockout round, winning 3-2 on Thursday. The aggregate score ended up at 4-4, prompting Bodø/Glimt’s advancement based on their away goals.

In front of a fervent home crowd at Aspmyra Stadion, Bodø/Glimt initially fell behind in the tie after losing the first leg 2-1 in Enschede. However, they turned the tide early, scoring goals to take a 3-1 lead before Twente equalized.

Bodø/Glimt’s first goal came from Kasper Høgh, who netted a penalty in the 56th minute. The match intensified when Mees Hilgers of Twente scored an own goal just minutes later, giving Bodø/Glimt a crucial advantage.

Brice Wembangomo extended the lead to 3-1 with a long-distance blast in the 88th minute, seemingly sealing the match for Bodø/Glimt. But Twente responded promptly as Sem Steijn scored in the dying moments, bringing the score to a thrilling 3-2 and leveling the aggregate score at 4-4.

The match was tightly contested, with Bodø/Glimt dominating possession, having 73.6 percent compared to Twente’s 26.4 percent. Bodø/Glimt also led in shots on target with six attempts versus Twente’s two.

“We knew we had to push hard from the start,” Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen said after the match. “The support from our fans was incredible, and it made a huge difference.” Knutsen’s team demonstrated resilience and a strategic approach throughout the match.

Despite the setbacks in the first leg, Bodø/Glimt displayed their capability of handling pressure, determined to advance in the competition. The team has now secured a spot in the next round, with their opponent to be announced in the upcoming draw.

FC Twente, managed by Joseph Oosting, struggled to maintain an advantage despite their prior lead and will look to regroup after the heartbreak. “We fought hard, but individual mistakes were costly,” Oosting remarked. “We’re disappointed but will look to bounce back in our league matches.”

The second leg of the knockout round playoffs also featured other matchups, including FCSB defeating PAOK and Roma leveling their tie against FC Porto. The drama of European football continues as clubs vie for positioning into the later stages of the tournament.