– That Botheim returned to Norway is first and foremost a sad story
After sweeping the Scottish league leader Celtic off the field in the play-off matches in February with 5-1 overall (1-3, 2-0), Thursday is the day for another historic European night at a sold-out Aspmyra.
Dutch AZ Alkmaar visit Bodø’s dreaded home arena to fight for a place in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The day before the big match, Glimt’s success coach Kjetil Knutsen met the press. He tracks a tough match, but says the yellow jerseys have every opportunity for advancement.
– We have to start by saying very much that we are very proud to get to the playoffs, and another historic match for Glimt. And then we know that we meet a top team from the Netherlands that is in very good shape. Maybe they’s favorites, and we’re a little underdogs. It is still a situation we are familiar with. It does not change anything in terms of our entrance and how we will play and attack the match, Knutsen quickly beats TV 2, and beats quickly:
– At the same time, we know that we meet a hard-working physical team that is very good in the press game and the recycling game. But like all other teams, they have weaknesses that we have identified and that we must dry up and exploit, he continues.
The attacker Erik Botheim was sold to Russian Krasnodar just before Christmas for a record sum. After the outbreak of war, his contract was suspended. Now he is back in Bodø, and trains with the old club.
– First and foremost a sad story
Kjetil Knutsen will not speculate on whether Botheim will return permanently to the All-Yellows.
– It happens in the world now which is very special. That he returns to Norway is first and foremost a sad story. But it is a good way to handle unforeseen circumstances in an impressive way. We are very happy that he offered to come here to stay in shape. We have a dialogue with him and his closest with a view to establishing a collaboration in the period that is now, says Knutsen.
– If Botheim’s contract in Russia is terminated, can you get an example to get him ready to play in the away match against AZ?
– No, because the regulations of FIFA do not allow for the situation as it is today. He has not represented other teams than Glimt since he joined Glimt, but then FIFA must open up a bit in the regulations. As of today, that is not the situation, the Glimt boss answers.
Knutsen makes no secret of the fact that he is affected by the war between Russia and Ukraine.
– We were in Luhansk, Ukraine on December 9 last year. It is a country in Europe, and I think that affects us all. Everyone who follows what is happening in the world will probably be affected by the fact that in 2022 we may find ourselves in such a situation in Europe. But we must live everyday life as we have always done, he says.
– Would not become an active participant
Glimt’s match against Aalesund in the cup was, as is well known, canceled because AaFK could not continue to play. Glimt got a walkover to the next round of the cup, but missed valuable match training before the match against AZ.
– First and foremost, it is sad for Norwegian football and for the product. But we must stay professional for that, and will not become an active participant in the information that has taken place. The result was that the match was not played, and it was sad. It messed up a bit of the preparations, because I was only informed on Friday afternoon that the match was canceled, and it changed a bit of the entrance to this match. But right now we can do very little with it, Knutsen concludes.
For AZ player, the former Glimt player Håkon Evjen plays. Glimt captain Ulrik Saltnes is looking forward to seeing his former teammate again.
– We have had occasional contact during the time he has been in AZ. It will be fun to see him again, he is a person who is missed and as we wish everything went. We wish him all the best in AZ, but hope he starts on the bench against us. We are looking forward to meeting him, and he is looking forward enough to meeting us, he believes.
AZ Alkmaar comes to Bodø straight from a strong 3-1 victory away against NEC Nijmegen on Sunday. With three new points on account, they secured a grip on fourth place in the Netherlands, which gives them a place in the third round of qualifying for next year’s UEFA Europa Conference League.
TV 2 expert: – Glimt has every opportunity
TV 2’s football expert Jesper Mathisen still believes Glimt has every opportunity to advance to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
– It is an opponent Glimt has every opportunity to strike in the form they are in now. I do not think they feared anyone after it has delivered so far this season. A nice draw with the opportunity to go even further, says TV 2’s football expert Jesper Mathisen.
– It will be a regular settlement, and even closer than against Celtic, he points out.