Union Saint-Gilloise embarks on its 2026/2027 European campaign this Tuesday in Ostende, facing off against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in the third preliminary round of the prestigious UEFA Champions League.
Just four days after their triumph in the Belgian Supercup against Club Brugge, the Brussels side will play their inaugural European fixture of the new season. The crucial match is scheduled for 8:00 PM in Ostende.
Under the guidance of coach David Hubert, the team is determined to secure a place in the Champions League group stage for the second consecutive year. Their journey begins with this challenging first leg against Bodo/Glimt, a formidable opponent in this penultimate qualifying phase. The decisive return leg will take place on August 11 in Bodo.
This encounter promises to be a stern test for Union Saint-Gilloise, as Bodo/Glimt proved to be a significant force in last year’s Champions League. The Norwegian club notably advanced beyond the league phase, subsequently eliminating Inter Milan in the play-offs before a hard-fought exit against Sporting CP in the round of 16, despite a commanding 3-0 victory in their initial fixture.
Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt arrives in peak condition for this clash in Ostende. Their domestic league season commenced in March, and they currently sit atop the Norwegian championship standings, boasting an impressive run of five consecutive victories.
Union Saint-Gilloise enters the match with a nearly full squad. The only notable absence will be Hervé Koffi, a recent acquisition from Lens, who remains unavailable for selection. Coach Hubert expressed his anticipation for the fixture, characterizing it as “a significant challenge against a robust team.”
Despite the departures of key players Christian Burgess and Kjell Scherpen, the Brussels club demonstrated resilience and cohesion in their Supercup victory. Bodo/Glimt’s coach, Kjetil Knutsen, who has meticulously analyzed all of Union’s pre-season friendly matches, acknowledged their opponent’s thorough preparation.
Should Union Saint-Gilloise emerge victorious from this two-legged tie, they will advance to the play-off round, where they would meet either Greece’s Olympiakos or the Netherlands’ NEC Nijmegen. The return leg of that potential play-off would also be hosted in Ostende. Conversely, a defeat against Bodo/Glimt would see the club transition into the group stage of the UEFA Europa League.
