Tottenham Hotspur

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We asked for your views on Tottenham's Europa League semi-final second leg win over Bodo/Glimt.

Here are some of your comments:

Tristen: It seems Ange Postecoglou has finally succumbed to playing a different style of play when needed. Finally, he is adapting to the situation in front of him instead of blindly playing the same old risky tactics week in, week out. We were incredible. Game management 10 out of 10. Rodrigo Bentancur had his best game of the season and the back four can defend when properly set up and organised. More of the same please.

Wes: A decent professional win. We showed an amount of control that has been missing all too often this season in an environment where other decent teams have suffered. However, still too many unforced turnovers of possession to make me feel that this would be sustainable in the league. Buzzing for the final though - done United three times already this year so just one more please, Ange!! Lovely stuff.

Geoff: A brave and professional performance - not 'Spursy' at all. Well done, lads.

Terry: A long overdue performance for the fans. They finally have something to smile about. The defending was much better, certainly, by not giving away stupid goals. They will need this and more when they play Manchester United. A massive effort needed and a little bit of luck, who knows? The Spurs fans need this - it's long overdue. Go for it.

Eric: Ange got the tactics spot on. The Bodo/Glimt fans recognised that we worked hard to stifle Bodo's enthusiasm and it was a bridge too far for them. Bentancur and Yves Bissouma were brilliant in their defensive roles, and Richarlison and Dominic Solanke a genuine combined threat up front. The Bodo/Glimt fans have been very generous and complimentary in defeat.

Relive how Tottenham's Europa League semi-final second leg unfolded in Bodo, Norway.

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Tottenham showed a "resilience, toughness and backbone" against Bodo/Glimt "that has not been there all season", says former Spurs and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Ange Postecoglou's men navigated a tricky semi-final second leg in Norway to reach their sixth European final - and first since the Champions League in 2019.

"The whole town was buzzing before and you could tell it was a massive game but Tottenham were party poopers," said Robinson on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "They had big players in big moments.

"They looked like a team of experienced professionals who came here to ruin everyone's party.

"It's not a game I'd look to re-watch but they came here and did the job.

"It is the first time since that Eintracht Frankfurt game that I have seen Ange Postecoglou set them up where they cannot be beaten. There was resilience, toughness and a backbone that hasn't been there all season in the Premier League."

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Nick Mashiter at the Aspmyra Stadion
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It never gets completely dark in Bodo at this time of year and the light has refused to go out on Tottenham's season.

Around 75 miles inside the Arctic Circle, Spurs remained ice cold to execute a professional performance and crush any pre-match expectations that Bodo/Glimt would make life difficult for them.

All the signs pointed to a tough night, with the hosts having lost just once in Europe at home this season and brushed aside Lazio 2-0 in the last eight.

Yet the nerves, the anxiety, drama, calamity and disappointment – everything which could be levelled at Postecoglou's side this season – never came. Even Bodo/Glimt's late penalty award was overturned after Pedro Porro was deemed to have won the ball.

Tottenham contained Bodo/Glimt well and took total control once Dominic Solanke's perfect poacher's strike gave them a three-goal cushion.

The visitors removed risk-taking from the equation and, therefore, could reap the rewards in Bilbao against Manchester United.

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"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.

All eyes are now on Wednesday, 21 May.

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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."

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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.

"We'll just keep doing what we're doing."

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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."

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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.

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-final second legs, and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

Europa League

• Manchester United (3) v Athletic Bilbao (0) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Bodo/Glimt (1) v Tottenham (3) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Conference League

• Chelsea (4) v Djurgarden (1)

• Fiorentina (1) v Real Betis (2)

All kick-off times 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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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!).

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!

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If you are in Norway, send us your pictures

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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."

Daniel Austin
BBC Sport journalist

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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.

Read more here

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!

Get involved here

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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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.

"Good luck to Tottenham."

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

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With their 3-1 victory in the first leg, Tottenham made it five wins out of five against Norwegian opposition in major European competition.

This is the highest number of games Spurs have played against an opponent from a specific country while maintaining a 100 per cent win rate.