Bodø/Glimt Secures Vital Win Against Odd After Recent Setback

The result came six days after the shocking loss to the bottom-table team Sandefjord and the subsequent turmoil. It was 1-1 at halftime, but goals from Fredrik Sjøvold and Fredrik Bjørkan ensured that all points stayed at Aspmyra.

Glimt took the lead through August Mikkelsen after twelve minutes. This happened after a good attack, and it was the 23-year-old’s first goal since the season opener.

The hosts dominated but were unable to stop Odd from finding a way back. After a good pressure around and in Glimt’s penalty area, the ball found an unmarked Samuel Skjeldal, who sent it firmly into the net.

– We mostly had control of the entire half, so it was unnecessary, Mikkelsen told TV 2 at halftime.

He didn’t have to be annoyed for long. After 53 minutes, Sjøvold scored his first league goal on a counter-attack initiated by Håkon Evjen.

Seven Points

Thus, both of Glimt’s two wingers had registered their names on the scoresheet. Later, Bjørkan secured the victory by making a deep run and steering in a ball from Mikkelsen.

After 16 matches, Bodø/Glimt has 36 points, which is seven more than the second-placed Brann has collected in the same number of matches. Odd is second to last with 14 points.

The Skien team has only won one of their last twelve matches in the Eliteserien. No team at the top level has conceded as many goals (30) as Odd this season.

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Admitted Poor Leadership

Before kickoff, Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen took self-criticism for the way he has behaved over the last week. In the loss to Sandefjord, he refused to follow medical advice to substitute Jostein Gundersen, who had been down twice after a head injury. He faced massive criticism in the days that followed.

Knutsen initially scoffed at the critics but acknowledged on Friday that he had “exercised quite poor leadership.” Gundersen, by the way, started against Odd and received attention after suffering a head injury early in the first half.

Glimt’s next challenge comes as they pursue Champions League play. On Tuesday, the northerners will host Latvian RFS for the first of two matches in the second qualifying round. Four days later, they have an away game against KFUM Oslo.

The same weekend, Odd will face Strømsgodset at home in Skien.

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