Tottenham Hotspur

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We asked for your thoughts on Tottenham's Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Here are some of your comments:

Johnny: There was a real intent about Spurs. You never know which Spurs team will show up at kick off. Tonight, it was a team that wanted to fight for a place in a final.

Mark: Great performance tonight. The early goal settled the nerves and it was looking all over but that late goal keeps it interesting for the second leg. I would have preferred uninteresting to be honest.

Anton: So many on here have been losing the faith and still want Ange out even if he wins a trophy. In hindsight, he should've said it's a five year plan. Change the playing style, lower the squad age and win a trophy. He'd then be way ahead of schedule in two of those and we are still in a cup - a good one.

Robert: A good performance, but that late goal puts a different complexion on the tie. We lost momentum when Maddison and Solanke went off. It will be tough on their plastic pitch. Just hope the two goal lead will be enough.

William: A disappointing finish, but solid enough performance overall and a result that we would have taken beforehand. Although Bodo/Glimt have a great home record, if we can put in a defensive performance like we did at Frankfurt, then we should get chances going forward and be able to make the final.

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Since the Europa League was rebranded in 2009-2010, no team to play in the final or win the competition has finished lower than 12th in their domestic league.

Manchester United are currently 14th and Tottenham are 16th in the Premier League.

In addition, since 2014-15 winning the Europa League has meant a place in the following season's Champions League competition.

Sevilla two seasons ago were the lowest domestic team (12th) to do that.

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"It was party time and then the whole stadium just changed within a blink of an eye," said former Tottenham goalkeeper Rob Green, who was with BBC Radio 5 Live for the Europa League semi-final.

It was one of Spurs' best performances of a wretched season domestically, but a late goal from Bodo/Glimt leaves a little window of doubt going into the second-leg in Norway.

"Everything was going their way with big players performing and then it just started to slip away," said Green on the Football Daily podcast. "The goal came and everything changed.

"It was muted applause and celebrations at full-time apart from in the yellow corner who have belief.

"It is going to be tough now for Ange Postecoglou because they need to see this out and it is the drop off that we see in players [in final stages] that worries people."

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Former England goalkeeper Robert Green was impressed by Tottenham's performance but feels the late Bodo/Glimt goal put a hint of doubt into next week's Europa League semi-final second leg in Norway.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The key moment in this tie was the Bodo/Glimt goal. Spurs looked to be running away with it and cruising. And that one attack, the one shot on target changes everything.

"This is still in the balance.

"Everything changed by the end of the game. It was really muted applause here, muted celebrations apart from in the yellow corner and they know they've got a real chance.

"It's the old adage of don't be 2-0 up at half-time because that's a horrible team talk. It's going to be a tough one. If Ange Postecoglou can get his team out, I think they'll be all right because they can see it through and they've got enough.

"The drop off is that big from Dominic Solanke, from James Maddison. It's just not the same side."

Ex-Spurs winger Andros Townsend was more bullish on Tottenham's chances, arguing the hard work has been done by Postecoglou's side: "Spurs now go there, to the artificial pitch, with a two-goal buffer and they know what they need to do.

"They can sit behind the ball - they showed they can do that against Frankfurt a few weeks ago. They can use the pace on the counter like they did tonight. The front three were unbelievable.

"I think it's easier going there in the second leg rather than the first leg."

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Ange Postecoglou praised Dominic Solanke on TNT Sports after his goal and performance against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League: "He has got a really strong mindset. He is a quiet guy but has a real clear focus. The way he takes his penalty is indicative of the person he is. He works so hard for the team.

"I love that he gets the goal - a reward for the hard work he does. When you think of the goal that we conceded, that becomes even more important for us.

On Solanke's late departure with injury: "Hopefully, it's nothing too serious. That's just the way our season is going - nothing is straightforward. We wanted to take them [Solanke and James Maddison] off. Speaking to them both, hopefully it is nothing too serious."

On the late goal scored by Bodo/Glimt: "Disappointing in that they hadn't created much. I still walk away thinking about the performance. Against Frankfurt, I thought we were three or four goals better here but we didn't take that there. The lads will think the same tonight.

"If we play the way we did tonight over there, then we will get the result that we need."

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Brennan Johnson spoke to TNT Sports after Tottenham's victory over Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final: "We're pleased. If before the game you would have said that we'd have a two goal cushion, then we'd have been happy with it.

"They are a tough team. There is a reason why they have beaten other teams in the past. Disappointed to concede at the end but we are happy with the performance.

On the goal inside the first minute: "I didn't realise it was that early. They are a team that build in confidence with time to play so we knew that we had to be onto them straight away. Getting the early goal really set the tempo and I thought we started really well.

On the second goal scored by team-mate James Maddison: "Maddison has scored a few goals like that this season and makes the run really well. [Pedro] Porro has the quality to find that pass and when it comes off it works really well. So when they get the timing right and Madders can finish it off, it is a really well-worked goal."

Emlyn Begley
BBC Sport journalist

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Domestically Tottenham are facing their worst season since 1976–77, sitting in 16th place on little over a point per game. There is a good chance Australian Postecoglou will lose his job whatever happens in Europe now, such has been their debacle at home, but finishing on a trophy would be some way to go.

It is 17 years since Tottenham won the League Cup, their last bit of silverware. Mauricio Pochettino and serial winners Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte were unable to bring trophies to Spurs.

On top of ending that trophy drought, it would give Spurs a Champions League spot - despite sitting 23 points off those places in the league.

There was no chance Postecoglou was going to underestimate Glimt, who knocked his Celtic out of the Conference League 5-1 on aggregate three years ago.

But he could not have dreamed of their start as they scored a first-minute goal in a European game for only the second time in their history with Pedro Porro's cross ending up with Brennan Johnson netting his 17th goal of the season.

James Maddison and Dominic Solanke added goals, but it will be of huge frustration that they conceded late on to Bodo/Glimt's only shot on target.

Despite that, barring a collapse in the Arctic next Thursday, Tottenham will reach a fourth final in this competition after 1972, 1974 and 1984's two-legged showpieces in the Uefa Cup - winning the first and the last of those.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Tottenham's performance?

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies.

Three English teams feature in Thursday's Europa League and Conference League semi-finals, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

Europa League

• Athletic Bilbao v Manchester United - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Tottenham Hotspur v Bodo/Glimt - BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Conference League

• Djurgarden v Chelsea

• Real Betis v Fiorentina

All kick-off times 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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BBC Sport's senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel has been answering your questions...

Question: "James Maddison talked a good game yesterday in his news conference and says the players are all behind Ange Postecoglou. Do you think it's true and why then are some performances (Liverpool last Sunday) so weak and lacking passion?"

Sami replied: "As is the case at all clubs, there will be players fully behind Postecoglou and others who will need convincing. It's only natural for players to have doubts about their manager following such a poor season.

"Equally, and this is not to doubt Maddison's comments, what is he supposed to say in public?

"The celebrations on the pitch after the win in Frankfurt suggests the team are generally behind the manager. But we aren't fully party to what happens behind closed doors."

Listen to Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt from 20:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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Former Tottenham defender Kyle Walker says former midfielders Victor Wanyama and Moussa Dembele were always going to be effective at Spurs given how they performed in training.

The full-back played alongside the duo who formed a dynamic partnership in the middle of Mauricio Pochettino's side.

"I remember at Tottenham when Wanyama and Dembele were there and in training you used to hear that sound of the legs just smashing against each other," he told The Kyle Walker Podcast.

"They were two big, big lads , and you half winced when they went into a challenge there because you know that they both fully committed to it.

"They didn't want to hurt each other - obviously they were playing for the same team - but it showed their desire. They wanted to be the best in training and I think that just shows why they both had such fantastic careers."

Walker has also spotted a Premier League rival that plays like his former team-mate Danny Rose.

Speaking on The Kyle Walker podcast, he highlighted Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly: "He is physical. He reminds me of a little bit of a guest that we had on the first season - Danny Rose.

"It's how he plays. He uses his body well and he's got a good left foot on him and a good football brain."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

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Tottenham's Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt will not be the first time boss Ange Postecoglou has come up against the Norwegian side.

His Celtic team were comprehensively beaten in the Conference League in 2021-22, losing 3-1 at home and 2-0 away to exit 5-1 on aggregate.

The Bodo/Glimt manager from that time Kjetil Knutsen remains in charge and is looking forward to facing Postecoglou again.

"I know the coach, but it is a totally different game," he said.

"We need to play with a perfect defence on Thursday because they have a lot of rotations and really good individuals. [They will create] a lot of situations in our box. We have played good games against them, but I think Tottenham is a better team than Celtic.

"I really hope the players are not thinking about the occasion and are able to play the game, but it is not easy. We have a journey where we want to find our identity in every game, home and away - even against good teams.

"That is part of the plan on Thursday."

Full commentary of Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 20:00 BST on Thursday

Tottenham fan Ali Speechly is "confident Spurs can win at home" in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt but that "for Ange, whether he wins it or not, he's gone at the end of the season".

Speaking on The Football News Show, Speechly said: "I do feel a little bit nervy about the opposition because if anyone can find a banana skin it's us.

"Hopefully for Ange's sake, he can leave with the trophy that he always wins in his second season, and us Spurs fans can finally have something to cheer about."

Watch the full episode of The Football News Show on BBC iPlayer

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James Maddison has accepted that this season has been a "balancing act" as Tottenham prepare for their Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.

Spurs' form between the Premier League and Europe has fluctuated, and Maddison admitted the mood was low after Sunday's 5-1 defeat at Liverpool.

"You want to feel the hurt and embarrassment," said the 28-year-old.

"My job as a senior player is to accept the fact we were poor and understand we can't go forward like that, because the league is what gives you the momentum to take in to Europe."

Despite their struggles domestically, Thursday represents a chance to take one step towards reaching a major final.

"It's huge," Maddison added. "When you get to the end of your career and you look back, there are not many times as a player when you've been in a major European semi-final.

"It's been a poor season, but we still have the chance to do something special and we've earned that."

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg at home to Bodo/Glimt (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Postecoglou confirmed Son Heung-min "won't play tomorrow night" and is "out training separate from the group".

• On the impact of the fans: "It's going to be hugely important for us. Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding and they have been in all the European games this year. We are going to need it [support] tomorrow night."

• Spurs sit 16th in the Premier League but Postecoglou wants his side to "concentrate on an unbelievable opportunity" and not let their league form detract from the chance to give the fans a "special moment".

• On the possibility of building a lead in the first leg: "Playing at home in Europe has its advantages for every team. What is really important is that we put in a really dominant performance but I don't think we can go into it thinking we are just going to kill off the tie."

• After an injury-hit season, Postecoglou feels Spurs are in a "good place physically" but stressed "they will need to be" against a side like Bodo.

• On Bodo/Glimt: "They've been consistent over the past few years. Obviously, they've got the same manager and a core group of players with a distinct style of football. You [the media] would love us to say that Bodo are a small club, but they are here on merit. I don't underestimate anyone and they've earned the right to be here."

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We asked for your views on midfielder Lucas Bergvall signing a new deal until 2031.

Here are some of your comments:

Kev: Great news that Lucas Bergvall has signed on a long-term deal. He's exactly the type of player that the team can be built around. Great attitude, on and off the pitch. Now, time to offload some overpaid deadwood over the summer, starting with Cristian Romero.

Steve: Class player - build a team around him and Archie Gray.

Dougie: Definitely a great prospect for the club for sure. But choosing to invest in young quality players sourced and driven by data analytics rather than investing in seasoned experienced pros seems to be the new Spurs blueprint. So we might start winning trophies in several years!

Gary: Bergvall is a great young player, plenty still to learn but is getting there, no doubt about it. Something positive from a very poor season.

Clare: I think it's great that Bergvall has signed this contract, although a little surprised that anyone would want to stick with us the way we've been and with the running of the club as a whole. Maybe he's seen something that inspires him to stay on. If the board at Tottenham have a long-term plan that we all need to stick to (i.e not changing manager every 18 months), then they should be honest and upfront with the fans so that we can be assured where we're heading.

Tom: Exactly the statement of intent the club needs, but also from the player that he feels on the right place as well. A vote of confidence from both parties.

Spinner: Great signing - need more like him . Why are we not playing all our very talented youngsters in the league, which has been a lost cause for weeks?

• Not a Spurs fan? Find and follow your club here

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Fans and managers will not want to hear it, but I think for players you can definitely raise yourself for a cup competition despite awful form in the league.

In terms of performances through the season, Spurs have been dreadful. There has been a lot of noise around injuries, Ange Postecoglou, the ownership and the future, but all of that goes away when there is the chance for a trophy.

They were absolutely battered at Anfield at the weekend and the manner of the loss will be hard to take.

But, when I look at the Tottenham team and some of the players they have got - like a goalscorer in Dominic Solanke, a World Cup winner in Cristian Romero, quality in James Maddison - they actually have players in their team that are winners.

And as much as people may not want to hear it, there is silverware to play for in Europe and these players can switch it on in one-off games. They can pull off a performance and results - like we saw in the last round in Frankfurt - and now there is absolutely nothing to play for in the league, they can focus everything on Europe.

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It is not nice to hear when you are a supporter who pays their money to follow Spurs home and away, but the players will be hanging onto the fact they feel like they are in a good position in terms of the draw and have a squad that can get over the line in big European nights.

It is easy to raise yourself for a semi-final with the prize in sight, and in that sense defeat at Anfield and the awful Premier League form will not make much of an impact.

Spurs do not have that consistency in this group of players to thrive in the league, but they have more than enough to progress to the Europa League final.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

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Midfielder Lucas Bergvall has signed a new contract with Tottenham, stating he feels he is at "a club with great ambitions".

The 19 year-old, signed from Swedish side Djurgarden for £8.5m in the summer, has now committed his future to Spurs until 2031.

"I worked really hard for this and, with help from my team-mates and the staff, I've developed a lot this season," he told SpursPlay., external

"If you compare to the beginning of the season, I came from the Swedish league, I had a lot to learn and needed to settle down a little bit.

"But I think around Christmas and before that, I started to get more time [on the pitch] and I started to develop.

"It's a club with great ambitions. We've had a tough season but we've learned a lot but we still have a lot to do."

Bergvall said the short-term focus is on the Europa League, with Tottenham facing Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals, but added: "The goal is to win everything."

What do you make of this news? How highly do you rate Bergvall and how important is it for Spurs to tie players like him down to long-term deals? Let us know here