Knutsen after 3-0 against NEC: "They have a lot of qualities, but
According to Championat.
Context
Kjetil Knutsen, coach of Bodø/Glimt, praised the quality of NEC Nijmegen, but highlighted the experience and solidity of his own team as decisive factors for success. The presence of goalkeeper Nikita Haikin throughout the game was essential in keeping the goal clean, reflecting the confidence and defensive organization that characterize Bodø/Glimt at this stage of the Champions League.
Why this matters
Bodø/Glimt's victory over NEC Nijmegen, with a 6-1 aggregate, not only guarantees their presence in the group stage of the 2026/27 Champions League, but also reaffirms the strength and experience of the Norwegian team. The team's solid performance, especially at home, demonstrates their ability to compete at a high level, which is crucial for their season and their ambition to excel in the Champions League.
Main conclusions
- Knutsen after 3-0 against NEC: "They have a lot of qualities, but.
- Bodø/Glimt eliminates NEC Nijmegen with a 6-1 aggregate and secures a place in the main table of the 2026/27 Champions League; Knutsen praises the opponent and highlights the Norwegians' greater experience.
- Тренер «Будё-Глимт»: у «Неймегена» тоже много сильных качеств, I didn't say anything.
Bodø/Glimt secured their place in the main table of the 2026/27 Champions League by beating NEC Nijmegen 3-0 at the Aspmyra Stadium in Bodø, sealing a tie dominated by the Norwegians. After the 3-1 victory in the first leg, Kjetil Knutsen's team confirmed their qualification with authority, closing the series with a 6-1 aggregate.
In the aftermath of the match, coach Kjetil Knutsen highlighted the value of the opponent, but highlighted the solidity and experience of Bodø/Glimt as decisive factors in moving forward. “We have a great team. The NEC also has many qualities, but we were the ones who passed. We have a more solid foundation and more experience. In my opinion, this is very important”, he said, in statements published on the official UEFA website.
In Bodø, in front of their fans, the Norwegian team set the pace and managed the game with maturity, confirming the advantage brought by the Netherlands. Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin started and completed the 90 minutes in goal for Bodø/Glimt, who scored effectively and maintained defensive concentration to close the second leg without conceding.
NEC, the Dutch representative, tried to react to the disadvantage of the first match, but once again found Bodø/Glimt disciplined between the lines and confident on the ball, which did not allow the visitors to make great offensive advances. The tie ended up highlighting the competitive moment of the Norwegians, who translated into results what Knutsen highlighted as a more robust “foundation” for facing European duels at this level.
With this 3-0 at home, added to the 3-1 achieved away, Bodø/Glimt closes the play-off round with 6-1 on aggregate and secures the passport to the main stage of the 2026/27 Champions League. For NEC, the European campaign ends here, after a round in which, despite some positive moments, they were unable to counter their opponent's overall superiority.
The presence in the main table of the biggest UEFA club competition represents another important step for Bodø/Glimt, which will now see its next European commitments defined according to the competition calendar. The Dutch return to their internal focus, aware of the level of demand they faced in the face of a more experienced and consistent opponent on a continental level.
What happens next
With qualification assured, Bodø/Glimt will now focus on preparing for the group stage of the Champions League. The team hopes to continue to build on this success, using the experience gained in the qualifiers to face elite opponents. The impact of this qualification could be significant, both in terms of morale and international visibility for the club.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Bodø/Glimt and NEC Nijmegen?
Bodø/Glimt beat NEC Nijmegen 3-0.
What was the aggregate of the tie between Bodø/Glimt and NEC Nijmegen?
The aggregate of the tie was 6-1 in favor of Bodø/Glimt.
How did the victory impact Bodø/Glimt's ranking?
With the victory, Bodø/Glimt guaranteed their presence in the main table of the 2026/27 Champions League.
Who was Bodø/Glimt's coach during the game?
Bodø/Glimt's coach during the game was Kjetil Knutsen.
What's Bodø/Glimt's next game?
The article does not mention the next game of the
Bodø/Glimt.