Watch Dinamo Zagreb – Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday from 20.30 on TV 2 and Play.
Glimt patriot Andreas Myrvoll (45) from Bodø is one of the few supporters present in the capital Zagreb for the important away match between Dinamo Zagreb and Bodø/Glimt.
It is about an important ticket to the group stage in the Champions League.
Like many other supporters in Bodø, he has caught on to the infamous behavior of the supporters from Zagreb.
– Do you think people are afraid to go to this away game?
SOBER CELEBRATION: – It will be a quiet celebration if Glimt gets through to the group stage in the Champions League, says Anders Myrvoll. Photo: Private
– No, but I probably take more precautions now than usual. We’re not going to walk around wearing scarves and we’re not going to gather outside. I don’t think the home fans are as scary as the rumors suggest, but we’re not taking any chances, says Andreas Myrvoll.
– We are not Red Star, but only small Bodø, says Myrvoll.
According to Bodø/Glimt, only 70 tickets have been sold for the away game. During previous matches that Bodø/Glimt have played in Europe, you have become used to seeing festive Glimt supporters in large numbers.
Don’t dare travel
Both in Rome (Italy), Glasgow (Scotland) and Alkmaar (Netherlands) there were from nine hundred to well over one thousand supporters in place, but not for Glimt’s most important match in history.
– People know that Glimt will enter a group stage, either in the Champions League or the Europa League, so they are saving enough for that. Some are probably sitting on the fence and perhaps waiting for a shorter journey, says Myrvoll.
The infamous supporters’ club, or ultras, of Dinamo Zagreb, Bad Blue Boys (BBB), have been involved in violent brawls several times.
Most recently in autumn and this spring, fans were involved in violent clashes with Spanish police during a Europa League match against Sevilla.
Violent supporters
When Rosenborg met Dinamo Zagreb for a match in 2019, several nightclubs in Trondheim chose to remain closed for fear of clashing with the troublemakers.
When Glimt met Zagreb at Aspmyra last week, the police in Bodø had prepared well with extra resources in place to look after the 60 – 70 notorious ultras from Zagreb, says Vegard Kristiansen, head of the police operational section at Bodø police station.
– Do you think many supporters have been frightened by going to Zagreb?
– I have actually spoken to a number of supporters who do not want to travel because they are worried about the behavior of the home fans, Kristiansen confirms to TV 2.
Kristiansen has on several occasions been with the supporters from Bodø around Europe and the impression is that the Norwegian supporters mostly behave well, says Kristiansen.
– The Glimt supporters get good shots from the local police in the countries they have visited, he says.
He has a clear call for the Glimt supporters before Wednesday’s important match in Zagreb.
FULL PARTY IN BODØ: . Only 70 tickets have been sold for the away match against Dinamo Zagreb Photo: Mats Torbergsen / NTB Photo: Mats Torbergsen
– It is not life-threatening to go to Zagreb, but you should think a little about the use of effects. Avoid flags and supporter equipment on the way to and from the stadium. You have to think about it a bit and be careful, says Kristiansen.
A tremendous pressure
The police in Bodø have tried to get in touch with the police in Zagreb.
– We have struggled a bit with the dialogue with the local police, despite the fact that we have made contact several times, but we have the impression that the safety of our people will be well taken care of. There are many other, and larger supporters’ clubs that have visited Zagreb before, says Kristiansen.
A tremendous amount of pressure is expected in the stands.
For Dinamo Zagreb, there is also a lot at stake.
The home ground is called “Maksimir Stadion”, and is also the home ground of Croatia’s national team. It has a capacity of 35 thousand according to Wikipedia.
The home arena of Dinamo Zagreb was built in 1912. It is both infamous and feared.
There is an absolutely incredible atmosphere during the matches. It’s a demanding audience, and if the home team loses, the ultras in Bad Blue Boys are not kind to either their own players or coaches.
– How will the celebration be if Glimt makes it to the Champions League on Wednesday?
– It will be incredibly fun, but there will be no celebration in the streets. We’ll let it be this time, we’re not challenging fate, says Glimt supporter Andreas Myrvoll.
Tags: Glimt supporters travel game Zagreb
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