Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg

BODO / GLIMT 0
TOTTENHAM 2 (Solanke 63, Porro 69)
Spurs win 5-1 on aggregate

TOTTENHAM are on their way to Bilbao to face Manchester United in the Europa League final in two weeks time – after they swept aside Norwegian champions Bodo / Glimt 2-0 tonight (Thursday) and secured a 5-1 aggregate semi-final win.

Second-half goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro sealed the deal and Spurs have made it to the club’s third ever UEFA Cup final – and have earned themselves the chance to redeem a season that has been pockmarked by multiple injuries, poor form and bad luck.

Even this past week has seen two keys players end their seasons early after James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall were ruled out through injury. But instead of finding more excuses or letting the game run close, this Spurs XI stood up and marched onto the final.

Speaking after the game, manager Ange Postecoglou said: “I could not be prouder of the lads. We knew it was a difficult place to come and we were aware of the record they have here.

“The lads handled it really well and fully deserved it over two legs to get through. We have grown in maturity through the competition and we understood exactly what was required.”

Postecoglou said the players were thrilled to give Tottenham’s fanbase something to cheer about after a difficult season that has seen league form fall through the floor as all eyes have turned to the Europa League prize.

The Tottenham boss added: “The one constant is the supporters. Managers and players come and go but the supporters remain. It is just great to see the smile on their faces. We have given them some hope, something to dream about, and we have an exciting trip to come.”

In tricky conditions – driving rain, freezing temperatures, loud support, a great home record and an artificial pitch – this had a wobbly cup upset all over it, but Spurs showed maturity from the get-go.

Bodo keeper Nikita Haikin kept his side’s hopes alive early on when he did well to deal with a dangerous Destiny Udogie cross that nearly provided Brennan Johnson with a tap-in.

Then he had to react smartly to tip a Porro free-kick over the bar, while Yves Bissouma thumped a shot high when he should have done better.

Up the other end, a Patrick Berg free-kick was dealt with by Guglielmo Vicario to keep things even after 45.

Bodo knew they would have to conjure up something and they set off at a fair lick for the second half, but Spurs were solid – with the full-backs particularly standing out for their unbreachable defensive work.

Then came the first that would make Postecoglou’s claim he wins something in his second season a step closer to remaining true.

On 63, Mathys Tel sent a corner in that Cristian Romero rose well to nod down. Solanke needed no second invitation to smash home from close range, kicking off an away end party for the hardy fans who had made the trip to the Arctic Circle.

And the performance got the second it deserved six-minutes later. Porro sent a wonky cross in from the right and possibly due to the artificial pitch, he shanked it instead of curling it into the danger area. The ball flew over the unfortunate Haikin’s head and into the far corner of the net.

It was more than enough and Spurs were able to see the game out in comfort to seal a final showdown against Manchester United.

Postecoglou’s men have already beaten United three times this season and will be confident they can turn them over for a fourth time, and secure the club’s first cup since 2008.

Bodo / Glimt: Haikin, Sjovold, Moe (Auklend, 71), Gundersen, Bjorkan, Evjen, Berg, Saltnes (Neilsen, 71), Blomberg, Hogh, Hauge (Maatta, 84)
Substitutes not used: Faye Lund, Brunstad Fet, Helmersen, Sorli, Hansen, Jensen, Brondbo.

Tottenham: Vicario, Pedro Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Bissouma, Kulusevski, Johnson (Sarr, 68), Solanke, Richarlison (Tel, 61)
Substitutes not used: Austin, Whiteman, Spence, Danso, Davies, Gray, Olusesi, Ajayi, Odobert, Moore