Union Saint-Gilloise is set to launch their European journey this Tuesday in Ostend, facing off against Norway’s formidable Bodo/Glimt squad in the third preliminary round of the 2026/2027 Champions League.

Just four days after securing victory in the Belgian Supercup against Club Bruges through a penalty shootout, Union Saint-Gilloise will play their inaugural European fixture of the 2026/2027 season. The match is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:00 PM in Ostend and will be broadcast live on RTL club and RTL play.

Under the guidance of coach David Hubert, the team aims to secure a spot in the Champions League for the second consecutive year. Their challenge begins with the first leg of the third – and penultimate – qualifying round against the Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, a crucial step in Europe’s most prestigious club competition. The return leg is slated for August 11 in Bodo.

A formidable opponent: bodo/glimt’s track record

This will be no easy challenge, as Bodo/Glimt proved their mettle in last year’s Champions League. They made a significant impact by advancing from the league phase, then impressively knocking out Inter Milan in the play-offs before their eventual elimination by Sporting CP in the round of sixteen, despite a commanding 3-0 win in their initial encounter.

Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt is expected to arrive in Ostend in peak physical condition. The Norwegian championship commenced in March, and the Union’s upcoming adversary currently leads their league, having triumphed in their last five matches.

Team readiness and strategic outlook

The USG squad is largely intact for this vital clash, with only Hervé Koffi, a recent acquisition from Lens, unavailable for selection by Hubert. During a press conference on Monday, Coach Hubert described the upcoming match as “a great challenge against a strong team.”

Despite the departures of key players Christian Burgess and Kjell Scherpen, the Brussels-based club demonstrated impressive form in the Supercup. Bodo/Glimt’s coach, Kjetil Knutsen, who meticulously observed all of USG’s friendly matches, expressed his belief that they are “very well prepared.”

The path forward in european competition

Should Union Saint-Gilloise emerge victorious from this two-legged encounter, they will advance to face either Greece’s Olympiakos or the Netherlands’ NEC Nijmegen in the play-off round. They would host the second leg of that tie, also in Ostend. However, a defeat against Bodo/Glimt would see the club from the Butte enter the league phase of the Europa League.