3 min learnUp to date: Mar 11, 2026 12:24 AM IST
Bodo/Glimt’s excellent Champions League run has drawn international reward however left their home rivals pissed off after a number of of their Norwegian league matches have been postponed to accommodate the membership’s European schedule. The membership from north of the Arctic Circle have loved a stellar run in Europe’s elite membership competitors, sneaking into the playoffs with gorgeous victories over Manchester Metropolis and Atletico Madrid earlier than knocking out final season’s finalists Inter Milan with a 5-2 combination victory to achieve the final 16.
Glimt’s European success, nevertheless, has created logistical and scheduling challenges forward of the brand new Norwegian season.
The Norwegian league marketing campaign begins this weekend, however with Glimt dealing with Portuguese aspect Sporting within the Champions League final 16, their opening two home fixtures in opposition to Sarpsborg 08 and HamKam have been postponed with no new dates set.
Glimt host Sporting within the first leg on Wednesday, with the return fixture subsequent Tuesday.
The choice to postpone their opening league matches has sparked debate over how a lot the home schedule ought to adapt to assist Norwegian golf equipment compete in Europe, with many different main European leagues not suspending weekend fixtures to provide their sides time to arrange for midweek matches.
“It has grow to be a bit a lot,” Zlatko Tripic, who captained Viking to the league title forward of Glimt final season, advised broadcaster TV2. “I’m not an enormous fan of it, to be sincere.”
The Viking skipper mentioned he understood the challenges of balancing home and European commitments however warned in opposition to giving precedence to at least one membership. “We can not take such excessive consideration for Glimt,” he mentioned. “It creates confusion within the schedule and I hope we are able to keep away from that sooner or later,” he added, suggesting the Norwegian league may as a substitute begin its season earlier in March to keep away from congestion later within the marketing campaign.
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The dialogue intensified after Glimt superior within the Norwegian Cup just lately, a consequence more likely to pressure additional league postponements.
IRRITATED SUPPORTERS
Supporters have voiced rising frustration in regards to the disruptions. Ole Kristian Sandvik, chairman and spokesperson for the Norwegian Supporters Alliance, criticised the dealing with of the schedule.
Sandvik mentioned golf equipment taking part in in Europe ought to give you the option to deal with a heavier match load and warned that postponements create main issues for travelling supporters.
“It is vitally easy to play two matches every week as a substitute of suspending video games,” Sandvik advised TV2 earlier within the week. “Some lodging for golf equipment in Europe is suitable, however you can not begin suspending matches as soon as the league part is underway.”
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Sandvik additionally argued that postponements result in an uneven league desk, with groups having performed completely different numbers of matches deep into the season.
He added that last-minute schedule adjustments make it troublesome for supporters to plan journey.
“Flights and lodges price cash for supporters. When a match is scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m., supporters want to have the ability to belief that it’s going to really be performed then.”