The Union Saint-Gilloise secured a dramatic 3-3 draw against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round at Ostend, Belgium.

An early free-kick from Norwegian midfielder Berg (20′) gave Bodo/Glimt the lead. Hungarian forward Florucz equalized swiftly (25′), but Norwegian defender Blomberg restored the advantage via a penalty (29′). Florucz struck again just before halftime (45’+5′) to restore parity. In stoppage time, Union forward David put the Belgian side ahead (88′), only for Norwegian substitute Bjortuft to equalize once more (90’+1). The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11 at 18:00 CET on Bodo’s synthetic pitch.

What’s at stake for Union Saint-Gilloise?

The Brussels-based club must now travel to Norway with the away goals rule in play. A victory or even a draw would secure their progression to the playoff round, where they would face the winner of the Greece vs. Netherlands tie between Olympiacos and NEC Nijmegen. The final hurdle would then lead to the UEFA Champions League group stage, where Club Brugge already awaits as Belgium’s top seed.

Should the Union falter in Norway, they will drop into the UEFA Europa League group stage instead. This route offers a second chance at continental glory, though their recent history in early Champions League qualifiers remains fraught with disappointment—eliminated in the third round by Glasgow Rangers in 2022 and Slavia Prague in 2024.

Key moments from the first leg

• Berg’s free-kick (20′): A well-struck set-piece from distance gave Bodo/Glimt the early lead.
• Florucz’s resilience (25′, 45’+5′): The Hungarian forward responded with two crucial goals to keep Union in contention.
• Penalty drama (29′): Blomberg converted from the spot after a VAR review.
• Late drama (88′, 90’+1): David’s header and Bjortuft’s last-gasp equalizer ensured a tense finish in Ostend.

What’s next?

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Union Saint-Gilloise must now produce their best performance on Norwegian soil to advance. Every tackle, every counterattack, and every set-piece will be scrutinized as they chase a place in football’s elite competition.