Fireworks fired at hotel housing Israeli soccer team in Norway

Maccabi Tel Aviv players there for Europa League clash against Bodø/Glimt; Police reported no injuries and prevented further incidents

Protests and fireworks disrupted Maccabi Tel Aviv's preparation in Norway ahead of their Europa League match against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday. Demonstrators outside the airport held signs with messages such as “Stop Killing Children” and “Free Palestine,” underscoring tensions surrounding the game.
Norwegian media reported that fireworks were launched near the team’s hotel, the Scandic Havet, early Thursday morning, in what was described as an incident linked to the “controversial match.”
Police reported no injuries from the incident, which occurred around 2:40 a.m. “Officers were present near the hotel and quickly responded,” said Yngvar Fredriksen, operations commander for the Nordland district. “The fireworks were fired from outside the hotel premises, and the search for the perpetrators ended within ten minutes.”
Authorities confirmed that security forces prevented another attempt to launch fireworks, though the suspect fled the scene. Police maintained a strong presence around the hotel overnight, bolstering security in anticipation of the match.
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לאזטיץ'
לאזטיץ'
Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Žarko Lazetic
(Photo: Oz Mualem)
Bodø/Glimt captain Patrick Berg addressed the situation during a pre-match press conference, stating, “This is new territory for us as individuals and as a club. From a gameplay perspective, we’ll approach them as any other opponent. But we’re not immune to what’s happening in the world—we all want peace, and I think everyone agrees on that.”
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Head coach Kjetil Knutsen echoed the sentiment, expressing empathy for the broader context. “When you see images from Gaza and what’s happening there, it’s heartbreaking. But now there’s a ceasefire, and that brings hope,” he said. Addressing the broader question of Israeli teams competing in international tournaments while Russian teams are banned, Knutsen remarked, “It’s complex. Personally, I don’t think it holds much meaning to compare conflicts. But I understand why people raise questions. I’ll keep my opinions on that matter private.”
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קייטיל קנוטסן
קייטיל קנוטסן
Head coach Kjetil Knutsen
(Photo: Mats Torbergsen / NTB / AFP)
In the Europa League standings, Bodø/Glimt is ranked 13th among 36 teams with 10 points after six rounds, while Maccabi Tel Aviv sits in 27th place with six points. The top eight teams advance directly to the Round of 16, while teams ranked 9th through 24th will enter a playoff. Teams outside this range will be eliminated.
Approximately 3,800 tickets have been sold for the match, though the away section is expected to remain empty.
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