Bodø/Glimt and Union SG meet again on Tuesday evening with their Champions League third qualifying-round tie level following a remarkable 3-3 draw in Belgium.

Union twice appeared capable of taking an advantage to Norway, but Odin Bjørtuft’s stoppage-time equaliser ensured Kjetil Knutsen’s side returned home with everything still to play for. Now the Belgian runners-up must attempt something plenty of stronger European teams have failed to achieve in recent years: beat Bodø/Glimt at Aspmyra Stadion.

The winners will move into the Champions League playoff round and within one tie of another appearance in the league phase.

Bodø/Glimt return to the ground where they have troubled Europe’s best

Coming away from Belgium level represented a valuable result for Bodø/Glimt, particularly given how close they came to losing the first leg.

Patrick Berg gave the Norwegian side an early lead, but Union responded through two goals from Raul Florucz and another from Promise David. Ole Blomberg’s penalty kept Glimt within striking distance before Bjørtuft headed home deep into stoppage time to make it 3-3.

It was another demonstration of the resilience that has become such a feature of Knutsen’s side in European competition.

Last season’s Champions League run included victories over Manchester City, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan before Sporting Lisbon eventually ended their campaign in the last 16. Aspmyra played a significant part in that success, and Glimt’s combination of intensity, artificial surface and attacking football has repeatedly made the stadium an uncomfortable destination for visiting teams.

Domestic form provides another reason for confidence. Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Vålerenga extended their winning streak in the Eliteserien to six matches since the summer break, during which they have scored 15 goals while conceding only once.

Kasper Høgh’s move to Celtic has forced Knutsen to reshape his attack, with Andreas Helmersen and Ola Brynhildsen competing for the central role alongside Jens Petter Hauge. Captain Berg remains fundamental in midfield, although Håkon Evjen is expected to remain sidelined with a knee injury.

Union showed enough in Brussels to believe they can win in Norway

Conceding a stoppage-time equaliser was a frustrating conclusion to the first leg for Union, but their attacking performance demonstrated that they have the tools to trouble Glimt again.

Florucz was particularly dangerous, scoring twice to continue an excellent start to the campaign, while David also found the net. Between them, the pair have already scored five times in Union’s opening competitive fixtures.

David Hubert’s side have started the new season strongly. They defeated Club Brugge on penalties to lift the Belgian Super Cup before opening their league campaign with an emphatic 5-1 victory over Westerlo.

There has been significant change within the squad, though. Goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen and experienced defender Christian Burgess have departed, while Adem Zorgane’s recent absence has removed an important presence from midfield. Relebohile Mofokeng has made an immediate impact following his summer arrival, including another goal from the bench in the first leg, and his performances are increasing the pressure for a starting opportunity.

Union clearly possess enough attacking quality to punish Glimt, as they demonstrated in Brussels. The challenge will be maintaining control when the Norwegian champions begin applying sustained pressure at Aspmyra.

Verdict

Six goals in the first leg demonstrated how dangerous both sides can be, and there is little reason to expect either team to suddenly abandon its attacking instincts.

Union have enough quality to make this another difficult evening for Glimt, particularly with Florucz and David already in excellent form. However, the Norwegian side have repeatedly shown how formidable they can be at Aspmyra, while their domestic performances since the summer break suggest they are approaching their best level. Home advantage could ultimately provide the difference in another competitive encounter.

Tip

Bodø/Glimt to win.