Europa League Semi-Final Heats Up as Bodo/Glimt Brush Off Tottenham’s Turf Talk
With a place in the Europa League final on the line, tensions are beginning to rise between Tottenham Hotspur and Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt — and not just because of what’s happening on the pitch.
Heading into the second leg of their semi-final clash, Spurs hold a 3-1 lead thanks to a dominant display at home. But it’s the return leg in the Arctic Circle that’s sparking debate, not least because of the surface it will be played on. The Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø features an artificial pitch, and that’s drawn some grumbling from the Spurs camp — most notably from winger Dejan Kulusevski.
Kulusevski: “It’s a Different Sport”
After the first leg, the Swedish international didn’t hold back in expressing his unease about the surface awaiting them in Norway.
“It’s strange,” Kulusevski said. “But what are we going to do? It’s the way it is. It’s not something we can change. It’s going to be difficult because we have to have a different plan; it’s a slightly different sport. But we have to find a way to win.”
Kulusevski’s comments, perhaps meant to acknowledge the challenges of adapting to different playing conditions, instead sparked a bit of backlash — particularly in Norway, where artificial pitches are far more common due to the country’s extreme climate.
Gundersen Claps Back: “What Do You Want Us to Do?”
Enter Bodo/Glimt midfielder Sondre Brunstad Gundersen, who laughed off Spurs’ apparent concern with a combination of humour and practicality. Speaking to Norwegian broadcaster TV 2, Gundersen didn’t hold back when asked about Kulusevski’s remarks.
“I wonder what he thinks we should do differently in Bodø,” he said. “If he had seen where we live, it’s not that easy to have anything other than artificial turf.”
He has a point. Bodø, located just north of the Arctic Circle, is no easy place to grow and maintain a pristine natural grass pitch. Sub-zero temperatures, limited daylight during winter months, and frequent snowfall make artificial turf not a luxury — but a necessity.
“There’s not that much of a difference,” Gundersen added. “It’s still football and they should be good enough for that. I think they will come very well prepared.”
Spurs Walking Into a Potential Banana Skin
Tottenham may hold a two-goal cushion, but make no mistake — Bodo/Glimt are no pushovers, especially on their home patch. The Norwegian champions have made the Aspmyra a fortress in recent years, famously thumping Jose Mourinho’s Roma 6-1 there during the 2021 Europa Conference League campaign.
And artificial turf or not, Bodo/Glimt are used to dictating the pace in front of their home fans, who are as loud and proud as any on the continent. What might be seen as a quirky European away day for Spurs is nothing short of a defining night for Bodo/Glimt.
“For Spurs, it is their biggest match since they were in the Champions League final,” Gundersen said. “It is the most important match of the year. I think they will give everything they have to take us.”
Postecoglou Under Pressure, Spurs Craving Silverware
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Tottenham, who haven’t lifted a major trophy since the League Cup in 2008. For manager Ange Postecoglou, a place in the Europa League final would represent validation of the exciting brand of football he’s tried to implement since arriving from Celtic.
But should things go wrong in Norway, questions will inevitably follow.
Spurs’ European journey has been one of the club’s few bright spots this season. The team has battled injuries and inconsistency in the Premier League, but their continental form has sparked hope among fans desperate for silverware.
Now, with just 90 minutes between them and a shot at glory, Spurs can’t afford distractions — whether it’s about pitches or pressure.
More Than a Surface: Culture Clash on Show
The turf debate also highlights a broader cultural divide that often emerges in European competition. While England’s top clubs are accustomed to pristine pitches, state-of-the-art facilities, and ideal conditions, many of their continental counterparts make do with whatever is available — and thrive while doing so.
Artificial pitches, often frowned upon in English football, are simply part of the game in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. From a Norwegian perspective, the fuss from Spurs comes off as a little soft, if not slightly arrogant.
Gundersen’s matter-of-fact dismissal of the complaints reflects a team and a region used to adapting. And in that sense, Bodo/Glimt may already have a mental edge going into Thursday night.
A European Final Within Reach
While the noise around the pitch may dominate the headlines, the real story is unfolding between the lines. Tottenham are 90 minutes from their first European final since that heartbreaking night in Madrid in 2019, when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League showpiece.
For players like Harry Kane (had he stayed), or Son Heung-min, or even new leaders like James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, the opportunity to bring a trophy back to north London is too important to let conditions rattle them.
Postecoglou knows it too. The Australian coach has worked wonders in difficult environments before — notably in Japan and Scotland — and he’ll be drilling into his team that the surface is no excuse.
What’s Next: West Ham Warm-Up Before Arctic Battle
Before making the long trek to Norway, Spurs will first have to deal with domestic rivals West Ham United this weekend — another potentially tricky test, particularly given their own ambitions for a top-six finish.
It’s a delicate balancing act for Postecoglou: rest players and risk dropping points in the league, or go full-strength and possibly arrive in Bodø leggy and tired?
Whichever way he goes, Spurs fans will be hoping the focus stays on football — not the floor it’s played on.
