This Norwegian soccer team, hailing from a town of 55,000 residents within the Arctic Circle, dreams of Champions League glory.

 In the small Norwegian town of Bodø, just inside the Arctic Circle, winter is relentless. The days are short, the winds howl, and heavy snowfall often blankets the pitches—sometimes requiring shovels just to play. It’s not the kind of place you’d expect to find an elite soccer team. But Bodø/Glimt is anything but ordinary.

Forged in the extreme conditions of northern Norway, the club has developed a resilience that sets it apart. Its passionate supporters, just as tough as the team itself, have witnessed a remarkable transformation. Having claimed its fourth Norwegian league title in five years, Bodø/Glimt now regularly competes with Europe’s soccer giants. Currently 10th in the Europa League standings, the club is battling for a top-eight spot and a place in the knockout rounds against French side Nice.

If Bodø/Glimt advances, visiting teams will continue to face the unforgiving Arctic conditions that have become a hallmark of the club’s home advantage.

“For us, we train in it all the time, so we’re used to it,” midfielder Håkon Evjen told hawk Sport. “But for teams coming from warmer places in January, it’s a different experience—playing in -10°C (14°F) on hard grass. That toughness makes a difference.”

Evjen, now in his second stint with the club, is a key figure in Bodø/Glimt’s possession-based, attacking style. One of his season highlights was a stunning strike against Manchester United at Old Trafford—though perhaps even more impressive was the 6,500-strong Bodø/Glimt fan contingent in the stands, nearly 12% of the town’s 55,000 residents.

“We have so much support. The entire town has become a football town,” said Evjen. “It’s amazing to see how football can change a city.”

Bodø/Glimt—its name meaning “flash” in Norwegian—once bounced between the country’s lower leagues. Success has only recently defined its 108-year history. But under manager Kjetil Knutsen, the club has flourished, thanks to a high-pressing style, disciplined training, and smart recruitment. Since winning its first-ever league title in 2020—by a record-breaking 19 points—the team has become Norway’s most decorated club in recent years.

This season, Bodø/Glimt has already secured victories over Porto, Braga, Beşiktaş, and Maccabi Tel Aviv while pushing top-tier teams to their limits. Now, the next goal is clear: a first-ever Champions League qualification.

“Before we played in Europe, you think the gap is so big,” Evjen said. “But when you’re actually out there, you realize you can compete. If we play at our best, we can challenge anyone.”

Yet Bodø/Glimt’s journey remains unique. Norwegian soccer operates on a summer schedule, running from March to November due to the region’s extreme winters. Competing in European tournaments stretches the season deep into the Arctic cold.

“I do feel bad for our fans who come and watch us in -10°C, sitting there without being able to move,” Evjen admitted.

But in Bodø, resilience is a way of life. And as Evjen put it, “If you’re committed enough, you can do anything—as long as you have a shovel with you.”

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