An advantage of two goals on the way to the second stage of a Europa League knockout draw, Tottenham was in this situation four years ago – and it did not end well.
The Spurs of Jose Mourinho gave a 2-0 lead in the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb after a 3-0 extra time loss in Croatia. The turning point was even more extraordinary, given that Dinamo was managed, after they had lost their head coach due to a prison sentence between the first and second legs.
Now Bodo/Glims the Dinamo comeback on Thursday, with Tottenham with a 3-1 first-leg semi-final lead. However, history is not on the side of the Norwegians.
A semi -final shortage with two goals has never been overturned since the competition was renamed the Europa League in 2009/10.
You have to go back 37 years – when the competition was known as the UEFA Cup – for the last time it happened when Espanyol Club Brugge beat home to win 3-2 and reach the final of 1988.
'Artificial pitch is an advantage for us'
But what Bodo/Glim will give real conviction, they can become Europa League History makers their unique home fort.
The 8,270 -Saturday Asmymyra Stadium – located above the polar circle – has a difficult artificial pitch, freezing temperatures and a tight atmosphere. It has become an icy cemetery for visiting teams.
The Kjetil Knutsen side has won 28 of their last 34 home games in all European competitions and are a five-game European home run with their last victory against Lazio.
Only a few hours before the Italian giants were confronted, the Bodo/Glimt-Tone height was buried in snow, but a combination of underground heating, snow plowing and hard-working soil staff saw the game go course.
But Lazio wanted it not to do that, because she lost the quarter-finals first stage 2-0 that turned out to be particularly problematic.
“They had speed in their fairs because of the artificial field,” Lazio boss Marco Baroni told Sky in Italy.
So how much does the artificial pitch really prevail the Norwegian champions?
“There is no doubt that it is an advantage for us”, Bodo/Glimt -defender Odin Bjortuft, who missed the first stage in North London due to injury.
“But at the same time it is what you are used to. We train every day on this field, the same with the team we meet, they train every day on lawn.
“They have an advantage for us and we have an advantage for them. I think it's even.
“But playing at home here is of course a big advantage for us, because I don't think many teams are prepared for what is coming.
“We have succeeded in doing this in a successful way. The ball goes very fast here, and that is an important object for us.”
Spurs have been here before … at Tamworth
But an artificial pitch is nothing new for Spurs this season. The side of Ange Postecoglou played four months ago on a Non League Tamworth, although the result was careful.
Tottenham needed extra time to prevent FA Cup on the third round of shame on the Lamb-Grond, because they eventually won 3-0 on the 3G throw.
However, that near-disastrous experience could prove to be vital prior to their journey to Norway.
Asked what Bodo/Glimt's pitch makes such a difference maker, Bjortuftut explains: “I think it's a combination [of things].
“The ball goes very fast when you pass, and it's harder for defenders who reach attackers and get contact with us. That's what we benefit from in these games.
“Of course it is a big difference between artificial and grass in many ways, but the most important key is that the ball goes so fast.
“It may be harder to turn and everything for players who are not used to it.”
Friendly temperature is waiting for traces
Lazio, Olympiakos, Porto, Besiktas and FC Twente are all frozen in the Aspymyra Stadium this season.
And four years ago, a much-changed Roma was hammered 6-1 when Mourinho suffered the toughest defeat of his management career, while Postecoglou has already tasted the defeat at Bodo/Glimt with Celtic after a 2-0 loss in February 2022.
But the ice -cold conditions that contribute to those disturbances will not be so hard for Tottenham's visit.
Besiktas lost in Bodo/Glimt with the temperature at minus one in December, but Thursday's prediction is around seven degrees, making it more acceptable for Spurs.
Asked by Sky Sports about or Bodo's more friendly will hinder their chances again, Bjortuft replies: “I am looking forward to seeing the sun again! I really don't mind, and I don't think someone of us is thinking about it.
“It has been a big conversation worldwide for newspapers that the weather is such an advantage for us, but I think we can play the same football, whether it is snowing or it is sunny, so there is no difference for us.”
But if Bjortuft believes that the weather is not consistent, the atmosphere and oppression of the location are of real meaning.
“It is a smaller stadium than she [Tottenham] Are used to. It's really compact, “says the 26-year-old.” And it's a city that stays together.
“We are really comfortable to play here, as many home teams are. I think we have a good support from the city and they are really positive, even when it goes to the south.
“It's a good feeling for us to have them on our back.”
'Tottenham has everything to lose'
Bodo/Glimt will be stimulated by the fact that 60 percent of their European victories (excluding qualifications) have been with two or more goals, including the home victories at Lazio (2-0) and Olympiakos (3-0) this season.
Spurs will be desperate to admit on Thursday.
'I'm not so sure of Tottenham [making the final]. It is due to the first goal, “European football expert Kevin Hatchard told Sky Sports News.
“If they get that first goal, with the crowd and that kind of setting – the plastic pitch in the polar circle – then that becomes a huge test for Tottenham psychologically.
“Tottenham has everything to lose, but Bodo/Glimt has nowhere to lose so much. The pressure is to a certain extent.”
Dinamo Zagreb was in the position of Bodo/Glimt four years ago and succeeded in making the opportunities upset. This has the potential to be Déjà VU for traces.