Tromsø's Alexander Warneryd, signed for a then-record 8 million kroner from Swedish second-tier side Västerås, was named Young Player of the Month for March and April. He was an unused substitute in the previous meeting between the sides. Ruben Yttergård Jenssen, who was named Player of the Month for March/April, will play his 15th 'Battle of Northern Norway' match; his first came as a substitute in a 0-2 loss at Aspmyra in 2008.
According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Warneryd described the rivalry as 'cool' and noted the animosity between the teams. Jenssen, per the same source, said the rivalry and 'little hatred' between the cities is fun. Tromsø defender Vetle Skjærvik, who scored the winner three minutes into stoppage time in last year's 16 May match, missed the previous weekend's game against Molde with a hamstring issue but is expected to start.
I just know that people usually sing 'hate Bodø/Glimt'. The animosity is there between the teams, it's cool.
According to NRK Troms og Finnmark, Skjærvik described the atmosphere as 'completely crazy' and said he looks forward to experiencing it again. Bodø/Glimt defender Jostein Gundersen, a former Tromsø player, described Tromsø as 'a tough nut to crack' and noted the strong feelings surrounding the derby, per NRK Troms og Finnmark.
It's nice to feel that rivalry and the little hatred that exists between the cities. So it's fun.
Tromsø will be a tough nut to crack. A team of 11 men with extreme effort.
It was even more two years ago. But I got some in the locker room recently asking if I was ready to lose tomorrow. So some messages have come in. It's fun with passion around one's clubs. And the framework that has been built around these matches is absolutely fantastic, and something we must take care of.
Very strong feelings. Both for the supporters and the players on both sides, there is no better feeling than beating your rival. Then you're a bit more high and dark the day after, on 17 May.
It was a great experience, of course. A completely crazy atmosphere. So it would be fun to experience something like that again.
We are really looking forward to it.