Union Saint-Gilloise embarks on its 2026/2027 European journey this Tuesday in Ostende, facing off against Norway’s Bodo/Glimt in the third preliminary round of the prestigious Champions League.
Just four days after securing the Belgian Super Cup against Club Bruges in a penalty shootout, Union Saint-Gilloise is set to play its inaugural European fixture of the new season. The match, scheduled for 8:00 PM on Tuesday in Ostende, will be broadcast live.
Under the guidance of coach David Hubert, the team aims to secure a second consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stage. Their first hurdle in this demanding competition is the formidable Norwegian side, Bodo/Glimt, in the first leg of the third — and penultimate — preliminary round. The decisive return leg is slated for August 11 in Bodo.
Overcoming Bodo/Glimt will prove to be a significant challenge. The Norwegian club made a notable impact in last year’s Champions League, advancing past the league phase and subsequently eliminating Inter Milan in the play-offs. Although they ultimately fell to Sporting CP in the round of sixteen, it was after an impressive 3-0 victory in their home leg.
Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt is expected to arrive in Ostende in peak physical condition. Their domestic league commenced in March, and they currently lead the Norwegian championship, having won their last five matches consecutively.
Union Saint-Gilloise will field a nearly full squad for this crucial encounter. Only Hervé Koffi, a recent acquisition from Lens, will be unavailable for coach Hubert. At a press conference on Monday, Hubert described the upcoming match as “a beautiful challenge against a solid team.”
Despite the recent departures of key players Christian Burgess and Kjell Scherpen, the Brussels-based club demonstrated a serious and determined performance in the Super Cup. Bodo/Glimt’s coach, Kjetil Knutsen, who meticulously reviewed all of Union Saint-Gilloise’s friendly matches, expressed that his team is “very well prepared” for the clash.
Should Union emerge victorious from this two-legged tie, they will advance to the play-offs, where they would face either Greece’s Olympiakos or the Netherlands’ NEC Nijmegen. The return leg of that potential play-off would also be hosted in Ostende. However, a defeat against Bodo/Glimt would see the club from the Butte enter the league phase of the Europa League.
