1. Postecoglou on changing his socks and superstitionspublished at 13:56 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was asked whether he was superstitious, after a stat was put to him that the club's last European trophy came in a year when Liverpool were crowned league champions - and the Spurs manager left his post at the end of the campaign: "I used to be, but not anymore. I never used to change my socks but then I thought 'if it's just the socks then what am I doing? What is the point of me being a coach if it's just the socks that make the difference?'"

  2. Maddison to follow Postecogloupublished at 13:52 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has been on really good form in this news conference.

    He has finished talking now, but we still have plenty of strong quotes to bring you from him.

    The player to follow will be James Maddison, and we will bring the best of his quotes too.

    More to follow.

    James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur during a training session and press conference ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final first leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Training Ground on April 30Image source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involved - 'By no means an easy game'published at 13:50 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I've been a Spurs supporter since 1981 and I have full faith in Ange. We will beat Bodo, qualify for the finals and win it. Champions League qualification and a much better EPL performance next year. COYS!!

    Perminder, Melbourne, Australia

    We 100% should make it past Bodo/Glimt. However, their home form is overlooked and this is by no means an ‘easy game’, especially at their ground. They have beaten Roma, Lazio and Porto in recent seasons. However, I think we go through with a 3-0 win at home and a draw away. COYS

    Anon

  4. 'Fans will be really important tomorrow night'published at 13:49 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was also asked about the club trying to get their fixture against Aston Villa moved: "I haven't looked too deeply into it, I don't know what precedence there is to it, I know other leagues do it which you kind of understand for European finals. But I will leave that to the powers-that-be. I will concentrate on trying to get us there first of all."

    On how important it is for the club and its fans to be aligned tomorrow night: "Yeah, really important. Again, you guys have travelled with us through Europe and you see the impact it has when you play in opposition stadiums where a supporter base really feels engaged with the club, team and occasion.

    "It's going to be hugely important for us tomorrow. Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding and to be fair in European games this year. The Frankfurt home game was a fantastic atmosphere and we are going to need it tomorrow night.

    "It's a semi-final of a European competition. I'm sure our supporters are excited, everyone at the club is excited, and we want to make sure we get the best chance to perform to the best level so we can get through."

  5. Postecoglou dismisses favourites tagpublished at 13:45 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is certainly not dismissing the challenge posed by Bodo/Glimt, reacting strongly when a Swedish journalist suggested they were minnows playing against a big Premier League side.

    The Spurs boss flagged their recent history in Europe and win over Lazio on penalties in the previous round, saying they were not in the last four by accident.

    More to follow.

    Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, speaks to the media during a press conference ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final first/second leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.Image source, Getty Images
  6. get involved

    Get Involved - Spurs' year has 'been a shambles'published at 13:42 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    If Spurs win Europa it will be despite Ange rather than because of him. I wouldn’t turn a trophy down but I don’t feel that we deserve to win anything this year. It’s been a shambles.

    Anon

    I think I, and more than a few other Spurs fans, were surprised by the mature, solid performance we saw against Frankfurt in the second leg. It's been clear for a while that the attention of the team has been entirely focused on this tournament so I'm not sure recent league results will have much effect on them. Bodo/Glimt have been billed as a tricky, cohesive team so there needs to be a strong result in the home leg.

    Mike, Bedford

  7. 'I'm delighted for Lucas, he took his opportunity with both hands'published at 13:41 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on the new contract signed by Lucas Bergvall: "I am delighted for Lucas. It is the reward for his development this year, his performances and how well he has adapted. You have got to remember you have a lot of young guys who come to the Premier League and have a step in between, maybe playing in another league, but he's come straight from the Swedish league and [adapted] his football in the Premier League.

    "It's a credit to him. He has worked really hard at his game. At the beginning he was really struggling to cope with a lot of the intensity and tempo, as you would expect, and we expected.

    "A lot of life and football is opportunity and he had an opportunity this year because of the situation we're in and he grabbed it with both hands.

    "Now we have a full squad to choose from, he is still being selected because he took the opportunity."

    Lucas Bergvall of Tottenham Hotspur during a training session ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi finalImage source, Getty Images
  8. Contrasting fortunes domesticallypublished at 13:39 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    While Tottenham are flying high in Europe, their form domestically is the exact opposite.

    The north London side find themselves 16th in the Premier League following a disappointing campaign:

    • Tottenham have lost 19 games in the Premier League this season
    • They have conceded 56 goals - the fifth worst defensive record in the league
    • The club's worst ever Premier League finish was 15th in the 1993/94 season
  9. 'Son won't feature'published at 13:36 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou on team news: "He [Son] won't feature tomorrow night. He is in training but he is still separate from the group. He is improving and hopefully we will get him back in sooner rather than later."

  10. 'Bodo/Glimt are a consistent team'published at 13:36 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thur, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou was also asked about Bodo/Glimt: "They have been pretty consistent the last couple of years, the same manager and a core group of players. [They] definitely have a distinct style of football that they have stuck to and have had success with. They have been pretty consistent in the Norwegian league but also in Europe.

    "Every game they have played, irrespective of the opposition, they have played some really good quality opposition in Europe and they have always been pretty competitive. I think that comes from the fact they are very stable and they have a clear understanding of how they play their football. A good challenge for us."

    Ange Postecoglou Manager of Tottenham Hotspur during a training session and press conference ahead of their UEFA Europe League 2024/25 semi final first leg match at Tottenham Hotspur Training GroundImage source, Getty Images
  11. Bergvall extends his stay with Tottenhampublished at 13:32 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Karan Vinod
    BBC Sport Journalist

    Tottenham Hotspur fans were given some good news ahead of the visit of Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of the Europa League.

    Teenage sensation Lucas Bergvall has signed a new deal with Spurs and will be under contract until June 2031, the club announced, external.

    The six-year extension comes in the wake of a breakout campaign with the club.

    The 19-year-old has started 11 times in the Premier League this season and appeared in 27 games.

    Bergvall in action for TottenhamImage source, Getty Images
  12. Europa League semi 'good challenge' for Spurspublished at 13:31 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thur, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou described the Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt as a "good challenge" for the club.

    He has also given some team news and discussed Lucas Bergvall's new contract.

    More to follow.

  13. Watch: Postecoglou news conferencepublished at 13:29 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Right, Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is now talking.

    Click on the 'watch live' play icon to follow his news conference.

    Quotes to follow.

  14. 'You're going to have to put up with me for a little bit longer'published at 13:27 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou's future with the club has been under immense scrutiny and speculation this season. However, after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Europa League, Postecoglou bit back at the naysayers.

    "I'm the same coach that I was yesterday. The players have never lost belief. People like to mock and diminish my achievements but I'll leave that there.

    "I don't care, it doesn't bother me, it doesn't affect what I do. For me, it's always about the dressing room. Do the players believe? Do the staff believe?

    "That's much more important than what others may make of me.

    "So, unfortunately for a lot of you, you're going to have to put up with me for a little bit longer."

    Postecoglou celebrates with the benchImage source, Getty Images
  15. Tottenham's road to the semi-finalspublished at 13:25 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    As mentioned, we will be hearing from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou as they get ready to host Norwegian club Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals of the Europa League.

    You will be able to watch the news conference live from 13:30 BST, just click on the play icon at the top of this page.

    In the meantime, let's have a look at Spurs' pathway through the knockout stages to the semi-finals:

    • vs AZ Alkmaar - 3-2 victory on aggregate in the last-16
    • vs Eintracht Frankfurt - 2-1 aggregate win in the quarter-finals
    Tottenham's players celebrate after reaching the semi-finalsImage source, Getty Images
  16. get involved

    Get Involved - Spurs' Europa League chancespublished at 13:22 British Summer Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    We would love to hear from Tottenham fans on how you are approaching the Europa League semi-final.

    Are you confident you can make it past Bodo/Glimt?

    Or have recent league defeats against Nottingham Forest and Liverpool taken the shine off any positive feelings that came with victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League last-eight?

    Get in touch via X, WhatsApp or text using the contact details above.

  17. Postecoglou incoming...published at 13:14 British Summer Time

    Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt (Thu, 20:00 BST)

    Tottenham Hotspur

    We will be hearing from Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, along with a Spurs player, from around 13:30 BST.

    It's a huge game for Tottenham, who look destined to finish in the bottom half of the Premier League this season and missed out on silverware in the domestic cup competitions.

    It's hard to say whether winning the Europa League would make up for an otherwise poor season, but victory and the Champions League qualification that comes with it would certainly help.

  18. Three more English teams in European actionpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time

    All kick-offs 20:00 BST

    Right, Arsenal are not the only English team in the semi-finals of a European competition.

    Their north London rivals Tottenham play hosts to Norwegian side Bodo Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night, Manchester United will travel to take on Athletic Bilbao.

    Meanwhile, Chelsea will travel to Stockholm to take on Djurgardens in the Conference League:

    Thursday's fixtures

    Europa League semi-finals, first leg

    • Tottenham v Bodo Glimt
    • Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United

    Conference League semi-finals, first leg

    • Djurgardens v Chelsea
    • Real Betis v Fiorentina
  19. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Rooney was there to analyse the game not the fans'published at 12:59 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    After his down the camera outburst at the negative reaction from England fans during a terrible World Cup where he questioned their loyalty to the team, (2014 I think) Wayne Rooney is not the best placed when it comes to reading the way a crowd is feeling. If fans are quieter, it can be because they're nervous, anxious or not confident, but it doesn't mean they're being negative or disloyal. During Covid when there were no crowds, professional teams were expected to go out and get the job done without them. Having a great crowd behind you helps but Rooney was there to analyse the team and the game. Not the fans.

    Jonathan

  20. get involved

    Get Involved: 'Do banners enhance the experience for anyone?'published at 12:58 British Summer Time

    WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I was at the Emirates in the section under the “make it happen” banner and have to admit that thing deflated everyone around me - you could feel the disappointment of people being unable to see the players walk out to the CL music and then felt like it was an uphill battle getting people reenergised after it. Do these banners enhance the experience for anyone?

    Anon