Bodø/Glimt: The Northern Lights of Norwegian Football
A Flash from the North
When a small sports association was founded in the harbor town of Bodø in 1916, no one could have imagined that one day its name would be known across the footballing continent. The word Glimt—Norwegian for “flash”—was chosen symbolically. More than a century later, it has come to feel prophetic. That flash from the north has turned into a dazzling aurora borealis.
From the outset, the club became a source of pride for the remote Nordland region. Its supporters forged their own unique identity—yellow shirts, yellow flags, and, most famously, yellow toothbrushes, which became an unlikely terrace symbol at Aspmyra Stadium. The story goes back to the 1970s, when a fan had nothing to “conduct” the chants with and raised a toothbrush. A toothbrush company noticed and sent him an oversized yellow brush, cementing one of football’s quirkiest traditions. Rooted in community spirit and forged in the harsh conditions north of the Arctic Circle, this uniqueness has set Bodø/Glimt apart from the rest of Norway.
A Long Road to the Summit
The club’s history is one of patience. The first Norwegian Cup arrived in 1975, the second in 1982. But fans had to wait an extraordinary 104 years from the club’s founding for a league title. Finally, in 2020, Bodø/Glimt were crowned champions of Norway. They retained the title in 2021 and have since remained firmly at the top of the table. Triumphs in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024 broke the long-standing dominance of Rosenborg and Molde.
For Northern Norway, it was nothing short of a revolution. A club from what was once dismissed as footballing hinterland stood up to the rest of the country and proved that even “beyond the Arctic Circle,” greatness can be built.
The Coach and the Pilot
At the heart of this rise is head coach Kjetil Knutsen. Since taking charge in 2018, he has transformed Glimt into a modern, attacking side built on intricate pressing and lightning-fast transitions. His work has earned him Norway’s Coach of the Year award and respect across Europe.
Equally unusual is the influence of Bjørn Mannsverk, a former F-16 fighter pilot turned mental coach. He brought methods from aviation into the dressing room—an emphasis on focus, resilience, and collective responsibility. “Together we are stronger than we are alone” became a daily mantra in Bodø. It is a philosophy not unlike Slavia Prague’s own “Together we are stronger”—and there is no doubt about its truth.
Leaving Europe in Awe
Bodø/Glimt inscribed their name into European folklore in 2021, when they stunned the mighty AS Roma in the Europa Conference League. On their modest home ground at Aspmyra, the Italians were demolished 6–1—a result that echoed around the world. That night, the men in yellow showed they were far more than a northern curiosity.
Another milestone came in 2024, when Glimt became the first Norwegian side ever to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. And this year, the club achieved yet another first: qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage. From peripheral outsider to European phenomenon, Bodø/Glimt’s name is now recognized by an ever-growing circle of football fans.
A Fortress Beyond the Arctic Circle
Home advantage in Bodø carries a different meaning. Aspmyra Stadium, with a capacity of fewer than 9,000, may look modest, but the fierce winds from the sea, the freezing cold, and the endless winter nights make it a daunting destination for visiting sides. More than one favorite has come to the north only to be “burned by the cold.”
Aspmyra is more than just a stadium—it is the beating heart of the community. Every day, former players gather there around the traditional “coffee table,” discussing football and life. Bodø/Glimt is not merely a club, but a cultural and social institution for the entire region.
A Club with a Story
Bodø/Glimt’s identity is rooted in pride—the pride of representing the north. Its colors, symbols, and legends show that for the people of Bodø, Glimt is far more than sporting results. It is this sense of unity and uniqueness that makes the club truly extraordinary.
