The much revised league phase (where 36 teams battle for the top eight positions and the next eight go into the playoffs) of the UEFA Europa League began in the north of Norway
Before an ecstatic home crowd Bodo/Glimt would overcome going down to ten men to beat their much more established opponents.
There is no doubt this football team has put the local town on the map and few teams will relish visiting their atmospheric stadium on a European night.
Bodo/Glimt have often proved a difficult test for visiting teams, as Roma can testify in 2021.
Indeed they have been a regular in recent European competitions including reaching the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
This time the team from within the Arctic Circle made their way through two qualifiers before eliminating Red Star Belgrade 3-2 on aggregate to now host Porto at the start of the league process.
In the cosy surroundings of the old style Aspmyra Stadium, with its mountain backdrop and nearby airport, the home side ran out to a vibrant atmosphere of rock music and fireworks.
Despite an early setback when Moura nodded back a cross for the highly rated prospect Omorodion to put in from close range Bodo would eventually get on top.
They did it often through the dynamism of their forwards Jen Petter Hauge and Dane Kasper Hogh while prompted by midfielders Patrick Berg and captain Saltnes.
On the break Bodo were always threatening illustrated by Hogh’s equaliser when he ran on to a long diagonal ball to score past Diogo Costa.
The Portuguese international goalie blocked the next opportunity but had no chance on 41 minutes when a nice combination ended with Hauge driving home the go ahead goal (eventually confirmed after an interminable VAR delay)
So Bodo went in 2-1 up and it was their pressing and quick transitions that got the better of Porto’s typically patient passing.
However the home side would suffer an, unnecessary, setback when Isak Maatta was given a second yellow, for ‘simulation’, much to the crowd’s annoyance.
Not that it really dimmed Bodo’s resolve.
Inevitably, perhaps belatedly, Porto made changes with Brazilians Galeno and Pepe appearing on the hour, later followed by another South American star, the tall Alan Varela.
Galeno, in particular, proved a danger down the left wing and Pepe would test Russian goalie Haikin (dressed in Yashin-style black)
But before that Bodo had made it 3-1, via another break as the duo of Hogh and Hauge combined again.
That resulted in evident hand wringing by some of the Porto players who couldn’t understand what had happened.
The Portuguese, backed by a small group of dedicated Dragao supporters behind the goal, pushed many forward and Haikin made a fine save again before sub. Deniz Gul forced in a second from a corner.
It was not enough and the Norwegians held on for another famous, much celebrated, victory.
Not many teams will relish the prospect of visiting the Aspmyra with its artificial pitch, especially as winter draws in, against an inspired team.
In a town where there are many electric cars, this was an electric performance by Bodo/Glimt to begin their UEL league campaign.
Report - John Bethell, in Bodo.
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