All eyes are on the Europa League here at the end of the season, and Tottenham Hotspur have a pretty substantial boost heading into next week’s semifinal first leg against Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt on Thursday, May 1. Three of Bodø/Glimt’s starters — Patrick Berg (club captain), Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen — are suspended for the match, though all three are expected to rejoin the side for the return match at the Aspmyra Stadion.
This is good news for Spurs. Patrick Berg will be Bodø/Glimt’s biggest miss, as he’s the club captain and the engine of their midfield — he operates in the center of Bodø’s 4-3-3 formation, frequently dropping deep and facilitating passes and ball progression out of midfield as a deep-lying holding midfielder. His goals and assists don’t pop out of the screen — he has 2G+3A in the Europa League campaign — but he’s most definitely the most creative and influential player for Bodø apart from maybe leading scorer and striker Ulrik Saltnes. Berg’s ability to stay composed and handle pressure are a big reason why Bodø/Glimt are having success in Europe and domestically in Norway.
Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen will also both miss the match, and are Bodø/Glimt’s No. 2 & 3 scorers in the Europa League. Evjen picked up his third yellow in the second match against Lazio, while reserve midfielder Helmersen was red carded and sent off.