By Rasheed Adewuyi, New York
Forward Jens Petter Hauge has described Bodø/Glimt’s historic qualification for the UEFA Champions League round of 16 as “unreal” after the Norwegian champions produced a stunning upset by eliminating Inter Milan in the playoff round.
Bodø/Glimt sealed one of the biggest shocks of the 2025/26 European campaign with a 2–1 victory at the San Siro, completing an emphatic 5–2 aggregate triumph over the Italian giants to secure their place among Europe’s elite knockout-stage clubs.
Reflecting on the achievement, Hauge admitted the magnitude of the moment was still sinking in.
“It sounds unreal,” Hauge said after the match. “It’s really exciting to be among the teams that remain in the Champions League. We’re looking forward to the next matches and seeing how far we can go.”
The Norwegian international, who was named Man of the Match, also paid tribute to the collective effort behind the club’s remarkable rise.
“It’s fantastic what we’ve done,” he told BBC Sport. “I’m incredibly proud of the group, the coaches, and the medical staff. We’re all in this together. We believe so strongly in our project, and these results are a credit to everyone.”
Bodø/Glimt’s progression marks a historic milestone for the club, which has steadily built its European reputation in recent seasons. Hauge attributed the team’s success to lessons learned from previous continental campaigns, particularly their experience in last season’s Europa League.
He explained that the squad entered the Champions League knowing the challenge would be immense but relied on tactical discipline, unity, and belief to overcome more established opponents.
The victory over Inter Milan was especially significant given the Italian club’s pedigree and formidable home record. Yet Bodø/Glimt displayed composure and attacking intent, underlining their growing maturity on Europe’s biggest stage.
Looking ahead to the round of 16, Hauge remained cautious when asked about potential opponents, which could include defending champions Manchester City or Portuguese side Sporting CP.
“We’ll have to wait and see,” he said. “We will prepare and be ready.”
The official draw for the Champions League round of 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals is scheduled for 27 February 2026, when Bodø/Glimt will discover the next challenge in what has already become a fairytale European journey.
For the Norwegian champions, their dream run continues—and with belief surging inside the squad, they are determined that their historic breakthrough will not be their final chapter.
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