Fresh off their Belgian Supercup victory against Club Bruges, secured via a penalty shootout, Union Saint-Gilloise will play their inaugural European fixture of the 2026/2027 season. The crucial encounter is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:00 PM in Ostend.
The squad, under the guidance of coach David Hubert, is determined to secure a consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stage. Their path forward involves a challenging two-legged tie against Bodo/Glimt. This initial match marks the first leg of the third – and penultimate – qualifying round for Europe’s premier club competition. The return leg is slated for August 11 in Bodo.
However, overcoming this hurdle will be no simple task. Bodo/Glimt made a significant impact in last year’s Champions League, advancing past the league phase and notably eliminating Inter Milan in the playoffs. They ultimately fell to Sporting CP in the round of 16, despite achieving a remarkable 3-0 victory in their home leg.
Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt is expected to arrive in Ostend in peak physical condition. The Norwegian championship commenced in March, and their opponents are currently dominating the league, having secured victories in their last five consecutive matches.
Union Saint-Gilloise enters the contest with an almost complete roster. The only player unavailable to Hubert is Hervé Koffi, a recent acquisition from Lens. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, coach Hubert described the upcoming match as “a significant challenge against a formidable team.”
Despite the recent departures of key players Christian Burgess and Kjell Scherpen, the Brussels-based club demonstrated impressive resilience and form during their Supercup triumph. Bodo/Glimt’s coach, Kjetil Knutsen, who has meticulously reviewed all of USG’s recent friendly matches, expressed his belief that they are “extremely well prepared.”
Should Union Saint-Gilloise emerge victorious from this critical two-legged tie, they will then face either Greece’s Olympiakos or the Netherlands’ NEC Nijmegen in the final playoff round. The second leg of that potential tie would also be hosted in Ostend. Conversely, a defeat against Bodo/Glimt would see the club from the Butte enter the group stage of the Europa League.
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