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

Under the guidance of coach David Hubert, the team aims to advance towards a second consecutive appearance in the Champions League group stage. Their challenge begins with the first leg of this crucial third-round qualifier against Bodo/Glimt, a formidable Norwegian side. The return leg is slated for August 11 in Bodo.

However, this will be no easy task. Bodo/Glimt notably caused a stir in last year’s Champions League, progressing beyond the league phase before eliminating Inter Milan in the playoffs. They eventually fell to Sporting CP in the round of sixteen, despite a commanding 3-0 victory in their initial encounter.

Furthermore, Bodo/Glimt is expected to arrive in Ostende in peak physical condition, as the Norwegian championship commenced in March. Their impressive form sees them currently leading their league, having triumphed in their last five matches.

Union Saint-Gilloise will field a nearly full-strength squad, with only recent acquisition Hervé Koffi, signed from Lens, unavailable for selection. Coach Hubert described the upcoming game as “a beautiful challenge against a solid team” during a press conference on Monday.

Despite the departures of key players Christian Burgess and Kjell Scherpen, the Brussels-based club demonstrated a serious and determined performance in the Supercup. Bodo/Glimt’s coach, Kjetil Knutsen, who has thoroughly analyzed all of USG’s friendly matches, commented that his future opponents are “very well prepared.”

Should Union emerge victorious from this two-legged tie, they will then face either Greek giants Olympiakos or Dutch side NEC Nimègue in the playoff round, where they would host the decisive second leg, once again in Ostende. A defeat against Bodo/Glimt, however, would see the club from the Butte enter the Europa League league phase.