Bodø/Glimt Prepares for Champions League Playoff Return Against NEC

Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt will host Dutch club NEC Nijmegen at Aspmyra Stadion on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff round. The home side carries a 3-1 aggregate lead following their first-leg victory in the Netherlands.

Seven playoff matchups taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday will determine the final remaining spots in the expanded 36-team Champions League league phase. European football governing body UEFA will hold the official group-stage draw on Thursday following the conclusion of qualifying.

The Champions League qualification path separates domestic title winners in the Champions Path from non-champions in the League Path. The seven aggregate winners from this week's playoff series will join 29 automatic qualifiers when the league phase begins on September 8.

Bodø/Glimt built their two-goal aggregate advantage during the first leg despite NEC controlling 69 percent of possession and attempting 22 shots. The Norwegian champions converted three of their eight total attempts, including a header from Haitam Aleesami, a Sondre Fet strike, and an Andreas Helmersen penalty.

Clement Bischoff scored late for NEC to keep the Dutch club within reach. Bodø/Glimt goalkeeper Nikita Haikin made five saves to preserve the victory, while midfielder Darko Nejašmić led NEC's stats with consistent ball distribution.

Off the pitch, comments regarding the facilities at Aspmyra Stadion prompted public discussion ahead of the match. NEC managing director Wilco van Schaik addressed the reaction following his initial remarks to media outlets.

"I've just been in the dressing room, it's bric-à-brac here," said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

Bodø/Glimt officials expressed surprise at the criticism, noting that top European clubs had used the same dressing room setup during previous Champions League campaigns. Van Schaik later clarified the situation following a joint lunch with Norwegian club officials.

"We've just had lunch with the management and board of FK Bodø/Glimt. In the speech I also indicated that we recognise this. With us, opposition players have to do a pre-preparation in the corridor where personnel and staff also walk through. So that isn't ideal either," said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

Van Schaik emphasized that his comments were intended to highlight the shared operational reality of smaller European clubs rather than insult the host team.

"We are similar clubs. That is why we liked seeing how they solve challenges by putting a bath in the dressing room. No one is annoyed by that or disappointed," said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

The NEC executive confirmed that the exchange did not create lasting friction between the leadership of both organizations prior to kickoff.

"It was nice to see it like that, and it was more about recognition than that we found it unpleasant or that it did not meet our wishes. Who are we to be denigrating? We know our own limitations as well," said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

The atmosphere surrounding the fixture remained cordial as officials from both clubs met ahead of the decisive match.

"Nor, according to Van Schaik, has the backlash caused any irritation at Bodø/Glimt. 'We've just laughed about it together. They did not make a fuss about it or get angry either. Fantastic, very nice and open people at FK Bodø/Glimt,'" said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

Both clubs are attempting to navigate international competition while managing limited resources relative to Europe's largest teams.

"That is what they thought of us too. We have many similarities as small clubs in Europe. So the limitations as well, but in the meantime we want to win and surprise people," said Wilco van Schaik, Managing Director of NEC Nijmegen.

Squad availability will impact both lineups for Tuesday's match. Bodø/Glimt forward August Mikkelsen is ruled out with a knock, while Håkon Evjen and Jostein Gundersen remain doubtful. NEC will be without midfielders Sami Ouaissa and Philippe Sandler, alongside injured defenders Ahmetcan Kaplan, Perr Schuurs, and Yassin Moslih. Referee Michael Oliver will officiate the match in front of an expected capacity crowd of 8,270 at Aspmyra Stadion.