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Dominic Solanke scored Spurs’ third from the spot - AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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This should have been an Arctic roll-over for Tottenham Hotspur, but Ange Postecoglou’s team left the door open for their Norwegian opponents to maintain some jeopardy in this Europa League semi-final tie.
Spurs were cruising to a win that would have seen them put one foot in the final ahead of travelling north of the Arctic circle to face Bodo Glimt on their plastic pitch next week.
But, just as it looked to be the perfect evening, Tottenham switched off and allowed Ulrik Saltnes to give Bodo hope of a famous fightback. The way the visitors and their travelling fans celebrated suggested they think they can do it.
Despite the late Bodo strike, Tottenham will head to Norway with a two-goal advantage thanks to goals from Brennan Johnson, James Maddison and Dominic Solanke.
But a three-goal cushion against a Bodo team depleted by suspensions and injuries would have felt so much better for Postecoglou and his players, who have struggled so badly in the Premier League while threatening to go all the way in Europe.
The late goal slightly dampened what had been a party atmosphere inside the noisy Tottenham stadium and no doubt there will now be a few nerves among the 400 fans who will make the trip to the Arctic.
10:46 PM BST
Solanke on the win
10:40 PM BST
Postecoglou on potential injury concerns
10:19 PM BST
Brennan Johnson speaking post-match
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Brennan Johnson scores a header early on against Bodo/Glimt - Getty Images/Jacques Feeney
10:12 PM BST
Bodo/Glimt will have players back from the second leg
Aside from the plastic pitch, they will have captain Patrick Berg, midfielder Hakon Evjen and forward Andreas Helmersen back from suspension. Spurs will be hoping the knocks to Solanke and Maddison are not too serious.
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Ulrik Saltnes celebrates scoring the goal that keeps Bodo/Glimt alive - AP/Ian Walton
10:03 PM BST
FT: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
A job well done by Spurs, though not quite job done. They were comfortable for most of this game despite Bodo/Glimt enjoying plenty of the ball, and worked their way into a three-goal lead thanks to goals from Johnson, Maddison and a Solanke penalty. Bodo/Glimt’s home record is formidable though, and that late goal means there is the potential for the second leg to be nervy. But make no mistake, Spurs should progress from here.
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Dominic Solanke celebrates scoring his penalty - Getty Images/Sebastian Frej
10:01 PM BST
95 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
One last chance for Kulusevski! Swivels at the near post onto his right foot, but skews the ball wide when he perhaps could have set the ball back to the edge of the box.
09:59 PM BST
94 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
Not what Bodo/Glimt were looking for: another corner to defend, won by Kulusevski. This might well be the last chance of the game... but Gunderson heads away well and also wins a foul. That might well be that.
09:58 PM BST
92 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
Bentancur with an important touch to nick the ball away when Bodo/Glimt threatened to break off the back of the Spurs midfield. Still a couple of minutes to play.
09:56 PM BST
90 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
Tottenham have five minutes of stoppage time to navigate here, and they have lost the ball sloppily in their own defensive third on a couple of occasions. Nervy moments as Bodo/Glimt deliver a succession of crosses into the box, until eventually Vicario claims.
09:54 PM BST
88 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
Spurs have a corner after Porro’s cross deflects behind but the Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Haikin felt he kept that in play. Gunderson then heads clear Porro’s delivery before the offside flag goes up against Tel. Both teams might be happy enough with this scoreline from this point.
09:51 PM BST
84 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 1
That is a blemish for Spurs, but they remain in a strong position. No need to panic, but there is real concern about the prospect of playing Bodo/Glimt of that artificial pitch. They are free-scoring at home and have taken big scalps in recent years.
Bodo/Glimt keeping the ball well, as they have for long spells in fairness. Spurs have been weakened by the loss of Maddison and Solanke. Kulusevski quiet for a player of his talent.
09:49 PM BST
GOOOALLL! Bodo/Glimt pull one back
Saltnes has been the most likely for Bodo/Glimt with his runs from midfield and he has just found the far corner with the help of a deflection off Bentancur. But it was a lovely dragback to set up the chance and some neat combination play in the approach.
Bodø/Glimt get one back!
Ulrik Saltnes gets the goal to make the score 3-1️
@tntsports & @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/qgsF2l3R5l
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 1, 2025
09:45 PM BST
79 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Avenues for Tottenham to explore on the break now but Tel fails to pick out a white shirt after getting in behind down the left. Then Kulusevski receives the ball in a pocket of space in the box, but his shot deflects behind. Tried to take it early and curl into the far corner.
09:41 PM BST
76 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt have won their first corner of the game but Spurs clear and then Udogie shows quick feet to win a foul. Spurs have retained concentration at the back throughout.
09:39 PM BST
73 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Romero has just been shown a yellow card for straight-arming Gundersen in the throat off the ball. Completely unnecessary and daft with his team in such a dominant position. Solanke is also down receiving some treatment on the pitch. The Spurs striker will be replaced by Odobert.
09:37 PM BST
71 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Flowing move from Bodo/Glimt down their right, but Bissouma produced a telling interception from the cross when Spurs’ defence was scrambling back. Then Porro reads play well to challenge Saltnes when the midfielder looked poised to shoot. Spurs keeping their concentration.
09:34 PM BST
68 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt give the ball away cheaply in their own defensive third, with Bissouma jumping to close down. Solanke tries to shift and shoot onto his left foot and his effort deflects behind for a corner. Romero then glances a header just wide.
09:30 PM BST
64 minutes: Tottenham 3 Bodo/Glimt 0
Straight after scoring the third, Spurs have lost James Maddison to what looks a calf tweak. Dejan Kulusevski is not a bad substitute to bring on in these circumstances. I think Spurs have to keep pushing forward; they can kill this tie off tonight.
09:27 PM BST
GOOOOALLL! Solanke deceives the goalkeeper
The stuttered run-up from Solanke does the trick, with the Spurs striker holding his nerve and rolling the ball into the corner with the goalkeeper’s weight shifted to the other side. Solanke wins the battle of wills and Spurs surely have one foot in the final.
09:26 PM BST
PENALTY SPURS! Who is going to take it?
It looked like Maddison with the ball in his hands, but he passes it to Solanke.
09:25 PM BST
59 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Maddison tests the Bodo/Glimt defence with another free-kick from wide, and there are appeals for a Spurs penalty after Sjovold appeared to catch Romero on the calf.
And the referee is heading over to the monitor here... this is going to be a Spurs penalty surely. Very, very soft but Romero was canny getting his foot to the ball first.
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Fredrik Sjovold concedes a penalty against Cristian Romero - Getty Images/Catherine Ivill
09:21 PM BST
56 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt have had 54 per cent possession in this game but Spurs have looked the more dangerous throughout. Spurs have actually done to Bodo/Glimt what so many teams do to Spurs. The away team’s composure and commitment to playing through the thirds is admirable though.
09:19 PM BST
53 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Spurs win a corner after delivering a wide free-kick into the box. Maddison whipped it in but Tel could not get enough on the header. Then Tel crosses from the left and Solanke’s flicked effort is deflected behind for a corner. Tottenham’s left flank has looked quite fluid.
09:16 PM BST
49 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Spurs continuing with their approach of being patient out of possession, allowing Bodo/Glimt’s defenders to have the ball and keeping their shape. That extended break at half time has not done much for tempo of the game.
09:12 PM BST
47 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Spurs will want the added comfort of a third because Bodo/Glimt’s home record is outstanding on their artificial pitch. They have stuck to their philosophy and kept playing tonight, and are continuing to do so, but have just lacked a punch.
09:11 PM BST
We are back under way!
Half-time lasted 19 minutes but the second half is now under way.
09:09 PM BST
A little bit of a delay
The fourth official has pulled his calf so the officials require a half-time reshuffle. The players are now on their way out.
09:06 PM BST
Spurs are making a change at the break
Mathys Tel is coming on for Richarlison. A different threat for Bodo/Glimt to deal with, and confirmation that Spurs are going to try to expose them on the counter-attack.
09:06 PM BST
Spurs efficient and composed so far
08:53 PM BST
HT: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
A calm and controlled half from Spurs, who enjoyed the ideal start when Brennan Johnson scored after 41 seconds. From there Bodo/Glimt weaved some pretty patterns without really hurting Spurs before Maddison added the second with an artful finish from Porro’s ball over the top. Bodo/Glimt are a decent technical team but look a little lightweight at the back and Spurs know they can hurt them. This has been very stress-free and un-Spurs like so far.
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Spurs celebrate their second goal - Getty Images/Ryan Pierse
08:50 PM BST
45 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
That was Bodo/Glimt’s best chance of the game: Maatta gets down the outside of Udogie and Blomberg made a diagonal run across the Tottenham defence but could not keep the side-foot volley under the bar.
08:47 PM BST
42 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Udogie spins away from Fet to carry the ball through midfield but Richarlison’s shot is then blocked. Spurs then slow the game down with some possession, they have their opponents at arm’s length at the moment.
08:43 PM BST
39 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt goalkeeper Haikin with an acrobatic save from Bentancur’s rasping strike from the edge of the area, and he requires some treatment after making the stop. Spurs then penalised for a push from the resulting corner.
08:41 PM BST
36 minutes: Tottenham 2 Bodo/Glimt 0
Spurs are in a commanding position now. They have played this game like the more experienced team, allowing Bodo/Glimt to progress up the pitch with the ball but staying solid before picking them off when they leave too much space. Bodo/Glimt have been what Spurs are often labelled: naive.
08:39 PM BST
GOOOAALLL! Maddison makes it two with a fine finish
Maddison threatened to score this goal earlier in the game when Romero picked him out; the late run from midfield punctures the high line. This time it was Porro who found him, and Maddison cushioned the ball down really well before directing the ball beyond the on-rushing goalkeeper and into the far corner.
08:37 PM BST
32 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Lovely touch from the left touchline from Maddison to free Richarlison inside, but the Tottenham forward’s finish was tame and straight the goalkeeper Haikin.
Bodo/Glimt continue to produce some nice passages of play down their left with Bjorkan involved but Romeor defends well on the cover.
08:34 PM BST
29 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Half-hearted appeals for a penalty from Bodo/Glimt after Maatta is sandwiched between Udogie and Bentancur but there was very little in it and VAR rightly tells the referee to restart the game.
At the other end, Solanke lays the ball off well for Udogie to hit on the volley but like Bissouma earlier he fails to get his knee over it and the ball flies over.
08:30 PM BST
26 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Spurs continuing to test Bodo/Glimt from set-pieces but Bentancur is flagged offside. Fet is then penalised for a foul in midfield. Bodo/Glimt are trying to jump and press at every hint of a loose ball or underhit pass. Romero and Van de Ven have been assured at the back for Spurs so far.
08:26 PM BST
23 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Richarlison found with a sweeping Maddison pass into space on the left flank, but Richarlion got the low cross all wrong and it deflected through to the goalkeeper. Then Richarlison wins a corner, with midfielder Hauge defending diligently in his own area.
The delivery is flicked across for another corner. Bissouma tries another volley from the edge of the box but he slashes it over the bar.
08:24 PM BST
20 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Saltnes with a lovely flick around the corner for Bodo/Glimt but then Bissouma is penalised for a foul in a shooting position. The crowd are right to be angry: he won clean contact on the ball. The away side clip the ball into the box, but Vicario needs two goes at grabbing the ball after almost dropping it on Romero’s head.
08:21 PM BST
18 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Important interception from Porro when he looked to be caught in no man’s land. Neat and tidy from Bodo/Glimt again but Spurs snuffed out the danger at the edge of the box before Solanke holds the ball up well with some proper centre-forward play. The crowd voice their approval.
08:18 PM BST
15 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Brennan Johnson is Tottenham’s top goalscorer, and he wins them another corner. Van de Ven and Romero are up. Bentancur flicked the ball on towards the edge of the box but Bissouma scuffed his effort on the volley.
08:17 PM BST
13 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Some more considered possession from Spurs in the Bodo/Glimt defensive third. I think Spurs are playing at a better tempo with and without the ball tonight. Usually that means a faster tempo, but Spurs have actually slowed down and they look more controlled and mature.
08:15 PM BST
11 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Good pressing from Maddison to pinch the ball back in a dangerous position but Solanke could not sort his feet out at the edge of the box. I think Bodo/Glimt may have had more of the ball so far, but Spurs look happy for them to have it in unthreatening areas.
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Brennan Jognson and James Maddison celebrate - Getty Images/Ben Stansall
08:12 PM BST
8 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt looking comfortable in possession, especially left-back Bjorkan, but there is a vulnerability about them when dealing with balls into the penalty area. They are missing four starters, including in central midfield, and look a little lightweight.
Space for Spurs to break forward down their left again, and Udogie wins a corner.
08:10 PM BST
6 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
In the build up to Tottenham’s first goal, Bissouma helped win the ball back around the box, so both of Postecoglou’s contentious selections paid off in that move.
Another decent chance for Spurs: Romero’s long diagonal over the Bodo/Glimt defence finds the run over Maddison but he cannot keep his effort down on the volley.
08:08 PM BST
4 minutes: Tottenham 1 Bodo/Glimt 0
Bodo/Glimt have steadied themselves and are enjoying some possession in the Tottenham half, but that might be perfect for the home team to release Johnson and Richarlison into the space they leave behind.
08:06 PM BST
GOOOOALLL! Brennan Johnson gives Spurs the perfect start
The opening goal arrives within 40 seconds. Postecoglou’s selection of Richarlison quickly pays dividends, with the Brazilian winning a header at the back post from Porro’s cross and Johnson is free to arrive and finish with his head from close range. Bodo’s players go straight into a team huddle. The crowd is rocking now.
08:04 PM BST
KICK OFF!
Bodo, playing all in yellow, get the game started.
08:02 PM BST
Going to kick off a few minutes behind schedule
Bodo/Glimt’s players and staff have a massive huddle on the touchline just before kick off, as is customary for the Norwegian team. We are going to have a minute’s silence for the late Pope Francis.
08:00 PM BST
The players are on their way out
It might be a Europa League tie against a less heralded opponent, but Tottenham’s home looks very impressive and imposing with a sea of white flags and a ‘To Dare Is To Do’ tifo in the one-tier South Stand. Bodo/Glimt are here on merit, but their players are not used to playing in arenas like this with the volume turned up.
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Tottenham fans before the game - Reuters/Peter Cziborra
07:51 PM BST
The atmosphere is building at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
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Tottenham fans have packed the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - AP/Kirsty Wigglesworth
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Bodo/Glimt fans at Tottenham - PA/John Walton
07:46 PM BST
Postecoglou’s pre-match thoughts
07:33 PM BST
Knutsen on the challenge of facing Spurs
07:18 PM BST
Bodo/Glimt fans marching towards the stadium
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Fans of Bodo/Glimt arrive - Getty Images/Alex Pantling
07:16 PM BST
History repeating itself
Keith Burkinshaw was the Tottenham manager who won their last European trophy – the 1984 Uefa Cup – but he left the club within weeks over a disagreement with the board. The famous phrase “there used to be a football club over there” was attributed to Burkinshaw as a parting shot, although the veracity of that has been debated.
Even if Postecoglou wins the Europa League, his future at Spurs is far from assured. In this piece, Matt Law looks at the parallels between the Class of ‘84 and Spurs’ predicament today.
07:02 PM BST
Assessing that team news
The notable absentee for Bodo/Glimt is Patrick Berg who is suspended after picking up a yellow card against Lazio. Berg is the club captain and had played every minute of the Europa League campaign until tonight. Andreas Helmersen and Hakon Evje are also regular starters who are suspended. Rules are rules but missing a semi-final because of an accumulation of three yellows in a tournament feels disproportionate.
No Lucas Bergvall for Spurs so they will lean on the experience of Bissouma and Bentancur in what is a slightly more conservative midfield set up. Starting Richarlison is a surprise, but it means Spurs can call upon Mathys Tel, Dejan Kulusevski and Wilson Odobert as attacking changes from the bench. Some fans will feel Djed Spence is unfortunate to miss out at left-back.
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06:55 PM BST
Bodo/Glimt’s team
06:53 PM BST
Tottenham team and subs: Starts for Bissouma and Richarlison
06:42 PM BST
Cod report
Bodo fans have arrived on Tottenham High Road carrying stuffed fish. When I say stuffed, I mean toy fish, not with fennel and wedges of lemon. The waters off Bodo harbour are known for their supply of cod, according to a cursory bit of research. North London is full of fish and chip shops, many owned by Greek Cypriots, so this is a harmonious fixture between supplier and retailer.
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Bodo/Glimt fans carrying toy fish - Reuters/David Klein
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From sea to fork... - Reuters/David Klein
06:33 PM BST
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06:32 PM BST
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06:30 PM BST
Tottenham’s stadium can comfortably accommodate the population of Bodo
Which team lost more than half of their Premier League games yet still qualified for the Champions League? It sounds like a riddle but the answer could well be the Tottenham Hotspur of this season.
Everything rests on Europa League success and while tonight’s opponents Bodo/Glimt should be underestimated, Spurs could not ask for more than a semi-final against a Norwegian club with a vastly smaller budget.
Ange Postecoglou’s future remains in doubt, but he is now close to leading the club to a first major trophy since 2008 and catapulting them back into Europe’s top club competition.
Spurs are expected to be without captain Son Heung-min owing to injury but will be looking to build a significant lead to take north of the Arctic Circle for what could be a tricky second leg on a plastic pitch.
A statistic quoted frequently in the build up to this game is that the population of Bodo would fill around two-thirds of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and the club’s rise has been remarkable.
They first appeared in the Norwegian top flight in 1975 and almost went bankrupt in 2010. The appointment of coach Kjetil Knutsen in 2017 was key, with Knutsen guiding Bodo/Glimt to four Norwegian league titles and their first forays into Europe.
They played Arsenal in the Europa League group stages in 2022, a season in which they reached the semi-finals of the Conference League. In the last-16 of that competition, they took apart a Celtic side managed by Postecoglou 5-1 on aggregate. They have won eight of their last 10 two-legged ties in Europe and have dispatched Olympiacos and Lazio in this season’s Europa League.
This is the biggest game in their European history though, but they are a team with a strong identity and are not expected to sit back. Midfielder Ulrik Saltnes has previously described their style of play under Knutsen as “kamikaze”, which could mean fireworks against a Spurs team who never take a backward step, often at their own risk.
Full team news on the way shortly.
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