Bodo/Glimt draw 3-3 at Union SG in Champions League qualifying

Bodo/Glimt’s rise has become one of the more compelling stories in European football, and the Norwegian side opened another Champions League qualifying campaign with a dramatic 3-3 draw away to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise.

Bodo/Glimt’s European progress continues

The club has built a reputation well beyond Norway in recent seasons. In 2024/25, Bodo/Glimt reached the Europa League semi-finals before being eliminated by Tottenham. A year later, they again drew attention across the continent in the Champions League, recording notable wins over Manchester City and Atletico Madrid in the league phase before going out in the round of 16 against Sporting.

That recent progress has raised expectations around Kjetil Knutsen’s side, even if their domestic campaign last season brought a setback. Bodo/Glimt finished as runners-up in Norway, one point behind Viking, which meant their route back into the Champions League had to begin in the third qualifying round.

Fast start in Belgium

The first leg against Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise began well for the visitors. Patrick Berg put Bodo/Glimt ahead in the 20th minute with a free-kick, but the home side responded quickly through Raul Florucz, who struck from outside the penalty area with a volley.

The game remained open and Bodo/Glimt restored their lead before the half-hour mark when Ole Blomberg converted a penalty to make it 2-1. Yet the advantage did not survive until the interval. In added time at the end of the first half, Guilherme Smith delivered into the box and Florucz scored again to level the match.

Late drama changes the picture

After such an eventful opening period, the second half was far more cautious. According to the source material, both teams focused mainly on defensive work and the game lost much of the rhythm and attacking threat that had defined the first 45 minutes.

It was only in the closing stages that the contest came alive again. Promise David appeared to have won it for Royale Union Saint-Gilloise with a strike from the edge of the area that went in off the post.

But Bodo/Glimt still had one more response. In the 91st minute, they made a late set piece count as Odin Bjortuft rose to meet a free-kick delivery and scored the equaliser that left the tie level at 3-3.

Why the draw matters

The result keeps the tie finely balanced, but it gives Bodo/Glimt reason for confidence ahead of the return leg in Norway. Their recent home performances in Europe have already shown they can trouble elite opposition, and that record will strengthen belief that they can finish the job on their own ground.

For Union Saint-Gilloise, there was encouragement in the way they twice fought back and then nearly took a first-leg lead into the closing seconds. For Bodo/Glimt, though, the late equaliser felt significant: another reminder that this team has developed a habit of staying alive in major European ties.

• Bodo/Glimt drew 3-3 away to Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
• Patrick Berg, Ole Blomberg and Odin Bjortuft scored for the Norwegian side
• Raul Florucz scored twice for the Belgian club
• Promise David also scored for the hosts