A secret weapon that knocks down European powerhouses in the Arctic Circle. Tottenham Hotspur is embarking on a 'real away game.'

Tottenham Hotspur will face Bode/Glimt in the second leg of the semifinals of the 2024-2025 season UEFA Europa League at Asmira Stadium in Bode, Norway, on the 9th at 4 a.m. (Korea time).

Although they lead 3-1 from the first leg, the reason that 'not even Arsenal' but Bode has become a threatening team for Tottenham is not just simple momentum. Here, there is a 'final leveling device' that equalizes all European teams, which is artificial turf.

Located at 67 degrees north latitude in the Arctic Circle, Bode is a small fishing town with a population of about 55,000. However, this small town is increasingly delivering shocks on the European stage. Bode/Glimt has consecutively defeated SS Lazio, FC Porto, Beşiktaş JK, Twente, and Olympiacos at home in this season’s European competitions. In the Champions League qualifiers, they even defeated Red Star Belgrade at home.

This team's home ground has only one 'major weapon.' That is the weather and artificial turf.

Evangelos Marinakis, president of Olympiacos, complained after losing 0-3 in the first leg on March 1, saying, "We played on a pitch different from other European stadiums. One player was injured due to the condition of the turf." Despite winning the second leg 2-1, they were eliminated with a total score of 2-4.

The UEFA allows the use of artificial turf up to the semifinals of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. However, controversy remains fierce. England banned artificial turf in 1988 due to injury risks and declines in game quality, while both the Netherlands and Scotland decided to completely ban artificial turf in their top leagues starting next season and the 2026-27 season, respectively.

Taxes Mourinho, manager of Fenerbahçe SK, said after last year's Champions League qualifier against Lugano, "Football on artificial turf is no longer high-level football. Dribbling is impossible, the ball moves slowly, and the game overall becomes dull."

The BBC noted, "Bode/Glimt's artificial turf is not a simple choice. This stadium is one of the northernmost professional football stadiums in the world. In winter, the sun does not rise for even an hour, and in May, the temperature is close to freezing. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to maintain natural grass," explaining the reason Bode/Glimt uses artificial turf.

The media reported, "Bode starts its season every year playing in the snow. Even on the day of the quarterfinal match against Lazio, the stadium was covered in snow, but thanks to the artificial turf and geothermal heating system, they were able to play the game normally. If it had been natural grass, the match would have had to be postponed altogether."

Bode/Glimt defender Jostein Gundersen reacted to Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski's comment that "Football on artificial turf seems like a completely different sport" by stating, "If you know where Bode is, you will realize there are no other options besides artificial turf."

Tottenham's manager, Postecoglou, is not unfamiliar with the Bode away game. During his time at Celtic in 2022, he experienced being eliminated by Bode/Glimt 1-5 (3-1 in the first leg, 0-2 in the second leg). The second leg was held at Asmira Stadium, like now.

After the first leg, he said, "It’s artificial turf, but it’s ultimately the same football," adding, "If we are organized and focused in both attack and defense like today, the condition of the turf does not matter."

Kulusevski expressed concern, saying, "Honestly, it feels like a completely different sport," but Postecoglou emphasized, "In the end, we are the ones playing the game in this environment."

Bode/Glimt has also defeated AS Roma (under manager Mourinho) 6-1 at home, but their head-to-head record against English teams is not good. They have lost all four matches against English teams so far. Especially in away matches, they face notable disadvantage, having lost 2-3 in an away match against Manchester United this season.

Of course, the small stadium with a capacity of 9,000, extreme weather, special artificial turf, and the 'momentum' that has baffled European giants cannot be taken lightly by Tottenham. Even top European teams have bowed their heads at this stadium.

Will another upset happen this time? Or is it Postecoglou’s turn to overcome his nightmare?

[OSEN]