Tottenham Hotspur’s Europa League 2024-25 glory was a tale of grit, determination and a manager’s true word of mouth to deliver success. Spurs have never tasted European glory since their golden age under Bill Nicholson and the 1984 UEFA Cup triumph. Yet, they managed to do it in their worst season in history, riding on the pedigree of their manager, Ange Postecoglou, who maintained his streak of winning titles in his second season in charge of clubs. Not even Mauricio Pochettino's team, which had the best years of club history this century, which came close to winning the Premier League in 2015-16 and entered the Champions League final in 2019, did not get their hands on any title. Hence, this European success for Spurs will live long in the memory:
Here is how Tottenham Hotspur managed to clinch the Europa League 2024-25:
League Phase
Tottenham were drawn to face Qarabag FK, Ferencvaros, AZ Alkmaar, Galatasaray, Roma, Rangers, Hoffenheim and Elfsborg in the League Phase of the Europa League. Given the level of opposition that hardly comes close to the Spurs’ budget, they were expected to be at the top end of the League Phase, let alone finishing in the top eight to qualify for the knockouts automatically. Ange Postecoglou’s side started with the same mood, easing past Qarabag FK, Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar. However, the first defeat of the season in the competition against Galatasaray, 3-2 in Turkey, seemed to be opening up the flaws the side endured in the Premier League season. The 2-2 draw to Roma at home and the 1-1 draw to Rangers away in the next two matches did not help the cause, but an important 3-2 win away at Germany against Hoffeinheim, courtesy of a Son Heung-Min brace, helped the side clear their shakiness and with a 3-0 win over Elfborg ended the League Phase in fourth with 17 points from eight games, registering five wins and losing just once.
3-2 aggregate win vs AZ Alkmaar (Round of 16)
Spurs faced AZ Alkmaar in the Round of 16 stage of the Europa League, having already beaten them in the League Phase. However, the Dutch side produced arguably the toughest challenge in the competition to the North Londoners, as the fear of elimination loomed when they lost 1-0 in the first leg at the Netherlands. Lucas Bergvall's unfortunate own goal ultimately decided the match, although Guglielmo Vicario made several crucial saves to prevent a larger deficit from carrying back at home. It was a timid performance from Spurs, who had to turn things around as their hunt for a European spot was truly gone, staying outside the top 10 in the league.
The importance of winning the competition of winning the Europa League grew with the focus now shifting entirely. It reflected in their improved performance in the second leg in front of their fans. Wilson Odobert struck in the 26th minute, with Maddison later putting them in front on aggregate with a fine finish that seemed to take them on their way. However, it is what Spurs have suffered all season, a calamity at the back, leading Peer Koopmeiners to level the tie. The host needed inspiration and it was provided by Odobert, who struck the winner for a beautiful team goal with 20 minutes left to play to retain their journey for the title.
2-1 aggregate win vs Frankfurt (Quarterfinals)
The quarterfinal challenge was massive as Spurs were locking horns with former competition winners Eintracht Frankfurt, who finished just a point below them in the League Phase. The other big factor was the Bundesliga side having the advantage of playing at home in the second leg. Postecoglou’s men were not carrying the best away form in the competition, so the home tie became crucial. To Spurs' dismay, they went down only six minutes into the game with the Eagles’ star forward Hugo Ekitike scoring a stunning opener. That could have put off the host, but they managed to gather themselves from the shock and again found the equaliser close to half an hour through right-back Pedro Porro. Spurs' disappointment was not to add to their tally despite being the better team from then on, forcing the opposition keeper to make a string of saves and striking the crossbar twice.
The 1-1 draw in the first leg favoured Frankfurt more than Spurs, as they travelled to Germany for the return leg. Postecoglou realised their current way of play might be risky, especially playing on away terrain in a knockout cup competition against a good side. So, the Australian made a drastic decision to move away from his high-pressing, high-line, quick interchanging style of play dubbed as ‘Ange-ball’ to a low-block, pragmatic football, raising eyebrows as he had never done this in charge of the club, even when their open football caused problems domestically. But it worked with a 43rd-minute penalty converted by Dominic Solanke, with Spurs soaking up pressure for the majority of the game, captained by ever-dependent Cristian Romero and a vital save from Vicario late in a nervy end to the game ensured the visitors progress to the semifinal with a cunning game management. The full-time scenes showed just how much the team wanted the result.
5-1 aggregate win vs Bodø/Glimt (Semifinals)
Spurs had harboured huge confidence now after knocking out one of the competition’s favourites, as they are just two games away from the showpiece. Their last four opponents, Bodø/Glimt, made a fairytale run to this stage, being the first Norwegian club to do so. Glimt used their difficult home surface and climate to their advantage to bully the big sides, which helped them get past FC Twente, last season’s Conference League winners, Olympiacos and surprisingly Serie A outfit Lazio, who managed to overturn a 2-0 deficit in Italy only to be pegged back again in extra-time and going out on a dramatic shootout. However, Tottenham were unbothered by the noise of giant killings.
The Lilywhites could not lose the opportunity to be in a European final after five years. They showed a dominating performance at home, taking the lead in the first minute through Brennan Johnson, doubled by James Maddison and then taken out of reach by Solanke once more from the spot. Although Spurs conceded at the death from the only shot on target by the opposition, the 3-1 aggregate lead felt comfortable for them, despite knowing Glimt had turned ties around at their fortress. No such upsets happened this time as Postegoclu’s men silenced the home crowd in Norway by picking up a 2-0 win with Solanke and Porro the protagonists again for a huge 5-1 aggregate win in the last four.
1-0 win vs Manchester United (Final)
And so, Tottenham entered their third final in Europa League history. Just as their first triumph in 1972 was about to face a fellow English side, this time, Manchester United. The Red Devils were struggling like Spurs in the Premier League, but were impressive in Europe, not losing any game in their run to the final and were equally pushing to turn things around by moving back to Champions League football. However, there was a lot more at stake for the Lilywhites as they were deprived of a trophy for almost two decades and a crushing loss in the 2018-19 Champions League final against another Premier League side, Liverpool, sent them to a downward spiral which the club was desperate to recover from.
Despite his criticism of the domestic season collapse, they finally had a manager to help them return to glory. He kept his promise of delivering silverware in his second season in charge. Keeping just 27% possession, completely different to the Ange-ball, Spurs went ahead with their only shot on target, with Johnson again making the finishing touch to a scrappy goal just before half-time. It was a lead that the North Londoners refused to let go of, with their solid defending neutralising the possible threats United had to offer. A jaw-dropping goal-line clearance from Micky van de Ven, captain Cristian Romero giving player of the match performance and goalkeeper Vicario’s late heroics, all added to the glory of Tottenham Hotspurs that the team has been waiting for 17 long years.
