Sport

Marbella, Spain – Bodø/Glimt’s stunning victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League has sent shockwaves through European football, prompting praise from Norwegian national team manager Ståle Solbakken. The Norwegian side completed a 5-2 aggregate win against last season’s Champions League finalists, securing a 2-1 victory at San Siro on Tuesday night.

Solbakken, speaking shortly after the match, lauded Bodø/Glimt’s ability to capitalize on opportunities, stating they possess a quality in front of goal that rivals any team in the Champions League. “Glimt has something that I believe they might be best at of all the teams in the Champions League. When they smell a goal or get a good attack going, it goes in. And when the opponent makes a mistake, they are lying in wait,” Solbakken told Nettavisen.

Kjetil Knutsen’s team largely defended deep against a desperate Inter side, following up their 3-1 first-leg win in Norway. Odin Bjørtuft was particularly impressive in defense, anchoring the backline as Jens Petter Hauge and Håkon Evjen scored the goals that propelled Bodø/Glimt to victory. Alessandro Bastoni’s goal for Inter proved to be merely a consolation.

Solbakken emphasized the defensive resilience displayed by Bodø/Glimt, noting they withstood a barrage of attacks. “Today it was a defensive battle, I don’t think it was meant to be 20 corners and 40 crosses against them, but they defend the box well and have good dueling ability,” he explained.

Solbakken: Glimt’s Achievement Surpasses Rosenborg’s Golden Era

The magnitude of Bodø/Glimt’s achievement isn’t lost on Solbakken, who believes it eclipses the success enjoyed by Rosenborg during their dominant period in the late 1990s. “An incredible achievement. The greatest Norwegian club performance of all time,” he summarized.

Rosenborg, under the guidance of Nils Arne Eggen, enjoyed a period of sustained success, winning 13 league titles between 1995 and 2004, and reaching the Champions League group stage on several occasions. However, Solbakken suggests Bodø/Glimt’s triumph over Inter represents a new high for Norwegian club football.

A Difficult Month for Italy Against Norwegian Teams

The victory adds to a difficult month for Italian football against Norwegian opposition. The Italian national team failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a playoff defeat against North Macedonia, opening the door for Norway to secure their spot in the tournament. Norway also achieved success at the recent Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, securing a clean sweep of gold medals in cross-country skiing. Bodø/Glimt’s win over Inter, according to Solbakken, completes a humbling period for Italian football. “San Siro will be torn down now, the next one will be built on the training ground,” he quipped.

Bodø/Glimt’s success is a testament to their tactical flexibility and unwavering team spirit. Their ability to absorb pressure and exploit opponents’ mistakes has made them a formidable force in European competition. The club’s continued progress will be closely watched by football fans across the continent.

What comes next for Bodø/Glimt remains to be seen, but their Champions League run has undoubtedly cemented their place in Norwegian football history. The team will now focus on domestic competition, aiming to build on their recent success and continue their impressive form.

What are your thoughts on Bodø/Glimt’s incredible run? Share your opinions in the comments below and be sure to share this article with fellow football fans!

The East Coast experienced a rare and exhilarating convergence of winter weather and world-class waves this week as Winter Storm Hernando, a powerful “bomb cyclone,” swept up the Atlantic seaboard. While millions braced for snow, flight cancellations, and power outages from New York City to Boston, a dedicated group of surfers traded snow boots for wetsuits, finding surprisingly epic conditions in the midst of the storm. The unusual swell drew surfers like Ben Gravy to the frigid waters of New Jersey, where they encountered waves reaching 19 feet at 11 seconds.

The storm, which brought driving snow and high winds, initially caused widespread disruption. As of February 24, 2026, over 282,000 people in Massachusetts were without power, with thousands more affected in New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, New York, and Maryland, according to The Inertia. However, the intense weather system also generated a significant swell, creating a unique opportunity for experienced surfers willing to brave the elements. This convergence of extreme weather and surfable waves has captured the attention of the surfing community and beyond.

Gravy Scores in the Garden State

Ben Gravy, known for his dedication to surfing in challenging conditions, was among the first to capitalize on the unusual swell. He documented his session in New Jersey, where he found himself surfing in over two feet of snow on the beach. “Winter Storm Hernando kind of came out of nowhere,” Gravy wrote, as reported by Surfer. “We expected snow & we expected waves, but we had no way of knowing that we were going to wake up to a 19ft @ 11 second buoy reading & these type of extreme bomb cyclone conditions. Happy to develop it through this one safe & sound with a few solid waves under our belts as the icing on the, very frozen, cake.”

A Surfer’s Perspective on Nor’easters

The phenomenon wasn’t limited to New Jersey. In New York, local news crews encountered a surfer fresh from the waves, who explained the appeal of surfing during a nor’easter. “It was a dream out there!” the surfer reportedly said. “This is what we live for. The waves were three-to-four-feet with a nice offshore wind, so when the wind is blowing in that direction, it causes waves to curl. And you receive those elegant cylinders that you notice on TV.” The reporter, understandably surprised, asked, “A nor’easter is good for surfing? Who would’ve thought?” The surfer confirmed that nor’easters are highly sought after by local surfers, with waves potentially reaching six-to-eight feet in the Rockaways, and wrapping around into Coney Island.

The Science Behind the Swell

Bomb cyclones are characterized by a rapid drop in atmospheric pressure, leading to intense winds and heavy precipitation. According to Weather.com, Winter Storm Hernando impacted millions across the East Coast, from Washington, D.C., to Boston. The strong winds associated with the storm generated a significant swell, creating the conditions that allowed surfers to experience these unusual waves. The combination of these factors made for a memorable, if somewhat unconventional, surfing experience.

The storm is now calming, but the aftermath remains. While the immediate threat of heavy snow and powerful winds has subsided, the region is still dealing with the effects of the storm, including power outages and travel disruptions. However, for a select few, the memory of surfing in a snowstorm will undoubtedly be a highlight of the winter season.

As the East Coast begins to recover from Winter Storm Hernando, the surfing community will be watching for the next opportunity to combine their passion with the power of nature. The unique conditions created by this bomb cyclone serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and often awe-inspiring forces at play in the natural world. Share your thoughts on this incredible event in the comments below.