FK Bodø/Glimt wrote one of the great stories in modern football by breaking into the shortlist for the Men’s Club of the Year award at the Ballon d'Or.

The Norwegian club’s presence amongst this list of giants represents the triumph of a bold management model, an uncompromising tactical identity and the ability to compete on equal terms with the biggest budgets on the planet.

Hailing from northern Norway, the Scandinavian side maintained their dominance on the domestic stage and embarked on an unforgettable European campaign that astonished the entire footballing world.

Below, we review the feats, the hard-fought victories and the achievements that underpin the Yellow Team’s historic nomination.

Season highlights and achievements

  • UEFA Champions League round of 16: The team delivered an unprecedented performance for Scandinavian football by reaching the last 16 of the continental competition for the first time in its history.

  • Historic elimination of Inter Milan: They pulled off one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by knocking out the Italian giants in the knockout stages, displaying their courage both at home and at San Siro.

  • Norwegian Cup: They consolidated their dominance in Norway’s top flight by winning another national title, displaying a relentless scoring rate and absolute reliability in the domestic competition.

  • The Aspmyra Stadion Fortress: They turned their home ground in the Arctic Circle into an impregnable stronghold for Europe’s historic clubs, capitalising on their pace on artificial turf and a high-pressing style to stifle their opponents.

  • The triumph of the sustainable model: They demonstrated that sporting planning, the recruitment of young talent and a passing-based style of play can break down financial barriers in the most demanding arena of world football.

  • Trophy: Norwegian Cup.