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'Full English' - reaction to Man Utd and Spurs' Europa League winspublished at 07:35 BST 9 May
07:35 BST 9 May
Image source, Daily Express and Mail
"It's a full English in the Europa League final," jokes the Daily Express back page after both Manchester United and Tottenham thrashed their semi-final opponents over two legs.
Spurs are bidding to end a 41-year wait for European success and a first trophy of any kind in 17 years, while United know a win would secure their second European trophy in eight years.
'Both of these squads aren't ready for the Champions League'published at 23:43 BST 8 May
23:43 BST 8 May
Image source, Getty Images
Neither Tottenham or Manchester United's squads are "ready" for Champions League football, says former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.
The two clubs will play out an all-English Europa League final on 21 May in Bilbao, with the winner securing a place in the Champions League next season.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, Robinson said: "Before the game, I said that both of these squads aren't ready for the Champions League. Both need the Champions League and the influx of money that it brings and they'll have to recruit heavily in the summer to compete at the top end of the competition.
"A club of the size and stature of Manchester United and the recent history of where they've been and where they're trying to get to, Champions League was part of their staple diet and it hasn't been for a number of years, regularly guaranteed and especially now with the change of manager and where they are this season.
"For Tottenham, the immediate silverware and the influx of money it brings and some kind of stability is important, and United just being associated with that competition once again."
Ex-United defender Phil Jones added: "I know people talk about how Manchester United has lost its attraction for players but it'll never lose that because it's the biggest club in the world.
"It's a bit disrespectful to say it's bigger for one club or the other but I do think, for United to get back in the Champions League, it's a huge step in the right direction.
"The league form has been nowhere near what's expected this season but it gives them a platform to try and implement something better next season and try and attract higher calibre players.
"You can't call it. It's a massive game for both clubs. I'm not sure, if Spurs do or don't win the final, Ange Postecoglou will be in charge next season. I think they've already made their mind up."
'We've overcome adversity' - Postecogloupublished at 23:16 BST 8 May
23:16 BST 8 May
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, speaking to TNT Sports: "Couldn't be prouder of the lads. We knew it was a difficult place to come. We're aware of the record they have here, the pitch. I think the lads handled it well. Excited, we're in a final.
"We've grown in maturity and we understand exactly what's required. I think that's where we won the game. We kept them to a minimum in the first half and did what we needed to do.
"We've used every player in the squad. We've overcome adversity. I felt when we got into the knockout, it helped we got players back.
On the fans: "It's why you do what we do. You understand the context of what this football club has been trying to achieve for quite a while.
"Managers and players come and go but the supporters are a constant. There were 400 here tonight and maybe a few more snuck in and many more at home. I hope we gave them something to smile about.
Tottenham striker Dominic Solanke, speaking to TNT Sports: "So good. It's been a long season and we're down to the business end.
"One more game to go and hopefully we can do it. We knew it was going to be very difficult, they started well. We knew we had to be disciplined."
On the fans: "They're phenomenal, the last game at home was the same. Hopefully the fans can make it to Bilbao and we'll have another special day."
Spurs defender Micky van de Ven, also speaking to TNT Sports: "Unbelievable feeling. What can I say? We had a tough season but we're one game away from winning some silverware.
"We showed some character today, some mentality also. They didn't create any chances today and then we scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The artificial grass, it's cold and rainy, we showed great mentality to win 2-0.
"We want to thank them all for their support and let's go to Bilbao.
"In the league we're not doing well but we can make it something special."
Tottenham have progressed to their sixth final in major European competition, and first since the 2018-19 Champions League (lost 0-2 against Liverpool).
The club have also won nine matches in the Europa League this season (D3 L2) – their most ever victories in the same campaign across major European competition.
Meanwhile, Spurs have won back-to-back away matches in major European competition for the first time since November 2013.
'Park the bus' - Spurs fans on their approach against Bodopublished at 16:44 BST 8 May
16:44 BST 8 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on what Tottenham need to do in Norway tonight to make the Europa League final.
Here are some of your comments:
George: We could play defensively, like we did against Frankfurt, but I don't think there's anything stopping us trying to get a goal or two. We could finish the game before half-time if we scored once or twice.
Daz: Park the bus, hit on the break, play 4-3-2-1.
Paul: Two very organised rows of four to make it difficult for Bodo to get down the flanks. But that would mean Ange Postecoglou changing the system, which I can't see him doing. It could go either way, but I hope we make it to the final.
Andy: Bodo are going to play lots of quick pass-and-move football on that pitch so we have to match them with the same kind of football. We can't afford to dither on the ball and we have to make sure passes don't go astray. We also need our most skilfull players available, which means using the likes of Mikey Moore, Djed Spence, and Wilson Odobert to dribble, exploit gaps and opportunities. With Micky van De Ven helping out in attack with his skills, and a clever Dejan Kulusevski playing the central role, we should win the tie. It all rests on Ange getting the starting line-up right (which he usually doesn't!).
Image caption,
John: Park it, Ange, right across the six-yard box.
Aaron: Ideally, I would like us to play a 4-2-3-1 shape as the pitch is not ideal for our regular possession-based game and we seem to have been more successful this season playing on the counter. The full-backs stay traditional, tucking in if necessary with our wingers dropping in to be compact but also keep a threat on transition. The two defensive midfielders can shield the backline, being aggressive when the ball is played centrally. The emphasis is on Bodo to score, so we should be able to lure them in and hit them on the break. Pedro Porro's passing range will be crucial as well as Solanke's work-rate off the ball.
Steve: Why play the same 4-3-3 attacking way we always do? I would play 4-4-2, a back four of Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies, with Porro and Destiny Udogie in front of the full-backs, Rodrigo Bentancur and Yves Bissouma in the middle and Dominic Solanke and Richarlison up front. Staying compact and going long!
Bodo/Glimt 'have the ability to play Tottenham out of the tournament'published at 16:34 BST 8 May
16:34 BST 8 May
Image source, Getty Images
Bodo/Glimt Supporters Club chairman Thomas Solberg says his team "have the ability to play Tottenham out of the tournament" in tonight's Europa League semi-final.
Spurs, who travel to Norway having won the first leg 3-1, are favourites to make the final but Solberg warns Bodo could cause an upset.
"It's the biggest day for Bodo/Glimt in its history," Solberg said. "It should be a day for the history books. We don't have expectation that high as we know we are facing a decent team. But with the weather and everything, [it] could turn out to be a great day.
"I say we don't have any expectation, we have some, but that goal gave us some belief. I hope [Spurs] think they are in the final. I don't think they know what they are facing.
"The artificial surface, the weather - it's going to rain - I think they are going to experience something else.
"Everybody speaks about the surface, the weather, everything. That's all excuses. Bodo/Glimt have the ability to play Tottenham out of the tournament.
"If Tottenham give us the spaces, they are going to get hammered."
'No doubt it's an advantage' - why Bodo's pitch is generating headlinespublished at 15:32 BST 8 May
15:32 BST 8 May
Daniel Austin BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
With Tottenham playing at Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, the noise around artificial pitches has been growing.
In the past, Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has called the surfaces "dangerous" and former Spurs manager Jose Mourinho blamed the pitch for an injury to his defender Gianluca Mancini when his then-Roma side lost in a Conference League game in 2022.
For his part, Bodo defender Odin Bjortuft believes the pitch will help his side as they try and overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit.
"There's no doubt it is an advantage for us," said Bjortuft. "We train on this pitch every day. I don't think a lot of teams are prepared for what's coming.
"It's a big difference between artificial and grass in many ways but the main one is that the ball goes so fast."
Artificial pitches tend to be harder than real grass, which can increase the risk of injury to players as turning is made harder on the knees and ankles because of the tougher ground and falls can lead to heavier, more damaging impacts.
These pitches are common in Northern Europe, where cold temperatures mean maintaining true grass surfaces to a high enough standard is very difficult.
They have been banned in the professional game in England since 1998, though there are more than 5,000 across the UK at amateur level.
Despite the criticism from those playing and managing on the surfaces, research in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, external concluded there was no evidence of a greater risk of injury on artificial turf when compared with natural grass.
However, performance issues are not the only concern plastic pitches bring. Artificial surfaces are also considered a significant negative for the environment.
Tottenham tactics and Arctic Circle pictures - send us yourspublished at 14:31 BST 8 May
14:31 BST 8 May
Tottenham are well placed to make it through to the Europa League final in Bilbao on 21 May but they still need to make sure the job is done on Thursday night against Bodo/Glimt.
How do they achieve that?
What do Spurs need to do to get it over the line?
And have you travelled to watch them in the Arctic Circle? Send us your pictures too!
Tottenham in for a shock - Bodo/Glimt legend Johansen published at 12:46 BST 8 May
12:46 BST 8 May
Nick Mashiter BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Bodo/Glimt record scorer Stig Johansen believes Tottenham are in for a shock in their Europa League semi-final second leg.
Tottenham hold a 3-1 lead before Thursday's game in north Norway, 75 miles inside the Arctic Circle, as they look to reach the final in Bilbao.
Bodo beat Lazio in the quarter-finals, winning 2-0 at home, and have also beaten Twente, Porto and Braga in this season's competition.
Former Norway striker Johansen, who is one of Bodo's all-time top goalscorers and also had a brief spell at Southampton in 1997-98, expects the hosts and their plastic pitch to make life uncomfortable for Spurs.
"Tottenham are going to get a real surprise, I hope," he told BBC Sport in Norway.
"They will find it difficult. Tottenham may start well but they will struggle afterwards. Bodo/Glimt are very fit and if you don't get into the duels close - Tottenham players are stronger than us - on that pitch, I don't think they are going to catch up.
"Stay away from one to ones because physically Tottenham are stronger.
"We have to score very quickly, in the first 20, and then we go from there. What are Tottenham doing? Are they up to the challenge?
"It's fun to say - are Tottenham up to the challenge at Bodo/Glimt? But Bodo are so good at home. It will be a new world for the Tottenham players. We have seen a lot of teams come to Bodo and it seems they are playing in our division.
Postecoglou said he is "disappointed" for James Maddison, who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury collected in the first leg: "He has been a big part of the latter part of our season - a big catalyst for us. That has been a constant, dealing with [injuries] and overcoming them."
On whether others might need to take on new roles given absences of squad leaders Maddison and Son Heung-min: "We've had good practice this season. I don't know how many captains we have had. It has been a challenge but it has also allowed some other guys - Pedro [Porro], [Rodrigo] Bentancur, [Yves] Bissouma, [Dom] Solanke to step up at different times."
The Spurs boss confirmed Solanke was "ready to go" having been an injury doubt.
On former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's comments that Europa League winners should not get a place in the Champions League: "It is the rules. Why was it not an issue before? Last year, fifth place didn't get you in - this year it does. Spurs does crazy things to people. You put this club into any sentence and they all come out to try and diminish any way they can. I have great respect for Arsene, one of the legends of the game, but it's Spurs. They love it, you love it. Bring it on."
On whether winning the Europa League might change perceptions of Tottenham: "I don't know. Some of it would become redundant for sure. A bit part of the narrative is that we haven't won for a very long time. Some will still exist beyond that. From my perspective, creating a winning culture starts with winning."
He is encouraged by how well Tottenham have acquitted themselves in Europe already this season: "We will approach this game in the same way we have the rest of the competition. Away from home, we have been really disciplined. The lads have done well and in second legs, whatever we have needed, we have done it."
He dismissed specific problems potentially posed by Bodo's artificial pitch: "It's obviously different but we'll train on it today. Whether it's the pitch, the atmosphere, the conditions, there is always something you need to overcome. We'll do that tomorrow."
He praised the resilience shown by his players this season: "It is a really important commodity. Anyone who has success in whatever field has had to show it at some point. I am very proud of the lads that through adversity they have never splintered or wavered in their belief of what we are trying to do."
More on sticking together: "I think that helps in games like tomorrow. They can tap into the way they have dealt with every stumble and challenge faced this year and find the strength they need to get the job done."
Vicario 'not impressed' by Bodo/Glimt artificial pitchpublished at 18:43 BST 7 May
18:43 BST 7 May
Image source, PA Media
Guglielmo Vicario is "not impressed" by the artificial pitch facing Tottenham at Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night but says it is "not an excuse".
Spurs go into their Europa League semi-final second leg with a 3-1 advantage but know their Norwegian hosts have an outstanding record on home territory, winning 30 of their 36 games in continental competition.
"We knew about it before coming in," Vicario said. "Many teams have played here so nothing has worried us about the surface.
"You cannot change the condition of the pitch - it is just about how quickly you adapt. I don't have a lot of experience on [artificial surfaces] but it's fine. We will be ready."
The Tottenham goalkeeper emphasised Spurs will not be content to sit on their two-goal lead but will instead attempt to make sure of progress to the final by winning the game outright.
"We need to focus on our strengths and try to win the game," he said. "We cannot sit back and hope for mistakes. We have to attack and play our way.
"We are really committed to what we have to do and know our way of football. We have to play with a high tempo and high intensity like in the first leg.
Bodo have 'big advantage' playing on 4G surface, claims defenderpublished at 15:47 BST 7 May
15:47 BST 7 May
Image source, Getty Images
Bodo/Glimt defender Odin Bjortuft believes his side have a "big advantage" playing at home on their artificial pitch in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final against Tottenham.
Spurs have played on a 4G surface this season, against non-league Tamworth in the FA Cup third round in January.
The players seemingly struggled to adapt to the pitch as they narrowly avoided a huge upset with the game goalless after 90 minutes - however, they did progress with a 3-0 win after extra time.
Bjortuft said: "There's no doubt it is an advantage for us.
"At the same time, it's what you're used to. We train on this pitch every day. The same with the team we meet, they train on grass pitches every day.
"But, of course, playing here at home is a big advantage for us, because I don't think a lot of teams are prepared for what's coming.
"The ball goes really fast when you play passes and it's more difficult for defenders reaching attackers and getting contact with us. That's what we benefit from in these games.
"It's a smaller stadium than they are used to. It's really compact and it's a city that stays together. We are really comfortable playing here, as many home teams are.
"I think we have a good backing from the town and they are really positive, even if it goes south. It's a good feeling for us to have them on our back."
Injured Maddison may miss start of pre-seasonpublished at 12:00 BST 7 May
12:00 BST 7 May
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison is a doubt for the start of pre-season with a serious knee injury suffered against Bodo/Glimt last week.
BBC Sport reported on Monday that Maddison was almost certain to miss the final weeks of the season - that will include a Europa League final if they avoid defeat at Bodo/Glimt on Thursday - as Spurs determined the full extent of the injury.
And it is understood Maddison's recovery time is expected to take up to three months, which leaves the attacker battling to be fit for the start of Spurs' preparations for the 2025-26 campaign.
Positively, Maddison does not require surgery to repair his injured knee and if all goes according to plan with his rehabilitation, the 28-year-old will be fit for the start of next season.
It is a major blow to Maddison, who has suffered suspected ligament damage, and Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou as Spurs enter the crucial climax to their campaign.
Image source, Daily Express and Mail
Image source, Guardian / Telegraph
