The earthquake is called Bodo/Glimt.

Fifty-four years have passed since the last time a team achieved something similar to Bodo/Glimt. That was Ajax Amsterdam in the 1971-1972 season. And when Ajax did it, they went on to win the European Cup.

Even more glorious than Ajax of yesteryear.

The common point between Bodo/Glimt these days and Ajax Amsterdam in the 1971-1972 season is that they are both clubs outside the top five European leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain), and both have won four consecutive matches against opponents from those five major leagues in the European Cup/ Champions League. All comparisons are flawed. But if a comparison must be made, let me say this: Bodo/Glimt's achievement now is far more difficult than Ajax's was back then.

Bodo/Glimt (left) is being hailed as a "dark horse" in the Champions League.

PHOTO: REUTERS

As everyone knows, modern football is vastly different from what it was half a century ago. The gap between the "big teams" in the five major leagues and the rest of European football is now so large that it could be said they are worlds apart, in terms of quality. It's even harder to imagine a team like Bodo/Glimt reaching the Champions League Round of 16 after four consecutive wins against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter Milan (two matches).

Less than a decade ago, Bodo/Glimt was playing in the second division of the small football league in Norway. Moreover, in the vast northern region of Norway, the further north you go, the colder and more remote the area becomes. Bodo/Glimt was just a small club within the limited football landscape of Norway. When Bodo/Glimt won their first national championship, it marked the first time the Norwegian football championship had reached the north of the country. Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt was the European champion closest to the northernmost point of the globe. Their presence in this season's Champions League has essentially expanded the map of top-level European football further north. Little did they know, this was only the beginning of a glorious saga.

WHY IS THE GLORY OF BODO / G LIMT "NATURAL"?

Bodo/Glimt was one of five teams that finished the "league" stage with 9 points, and one of two teams to advance to the play-offs thanks to a good goal difference. Seven of Bodo/Glimt's nine points came from their last three matches, which were also the three toughest: a draw against Borussia Dortmund, and wins against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid. Now, Bodo/Glimt has beaten Inter in both legs to reach the Round of 16.

Former Bodo/Glimt player Marius Lode commented: "It's an unbelievable journey. But it happened naturally, as if it were inevitable." Lode played for Bodo/Glimt from their quiet days in the second division to their championship triumph. He understands the club's operating principles and philosophy. Therefore, his comment is noteworthy: even if Bodo/Glimt soared to the moon, it was still a very natural and logical rise!

Last season, Bodo/Glimt also made history by reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. This season, consecutive wins against Manchester City, Atletico Madrid, and Inter (the current Champions League runner-up) show that coach Kjetil Knutsen's team is getting better and better. Knutsen was the assistant coach in the 2017 season (in Norway, a season only lasts one calendar year). Bodo/Glimt was promoted and Knutsen became the head coach. This was followed by a first season where they only worried about relegation at the highest level, then a resurgence with four league titles in five seasons, and then reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. Now, they are embarking on a glorious journey in the Champions League.

Bodo/Glimt has previously beaten AS Roma, Porto, Lazio, and others in European competitions. They even thrashed Jose Mourinho's AS Roma 6-1. At some point, winning against these formidable opponents became commonplace for the Bodo/Glimt players. Not winning wasn't a big deal, as long as they played well. Conversely, the Bodo/Glimt players always believed that a purely surprise victory wouldn't help them in the long run. That was their philosophy. Bodo/Glimt's psychologist, Bjorn Mannsverk, previously worked with fighter pilots. The spirit he instilled in them is the same spirit he instills in the Bodo/Glimt players when they take to the field. This is also the foundation of the "earthquake" currently unfolding in the Champions League.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/con-dia-chan-mang-ten-bodo-glimt-185260225221358446.htm