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Spurs record in Europe:-
European Cup
P W D L F - A
8 4 1 3 21 - 13
(Semi-Finalists 1962)
European Cup Winners Cup
P W D L F - A
33 20 5 8 65 - 34
(Winners 1963)
UEFA Cup
P W D L F - A
72 45 15 12 163-56
(Winners 1972, 1984
Finalists 1974)
Total
P W D L F - A
113 69 21 23 249-103
UEFA CUP ROUND TWO
GROUP G TABLE (28.11.07)
POS P W D L F-A GD Pts
1 Anderlecht 2 1 1 0 3-1 2 4
2 Spurs 2 1 0 1 3-2 1 3
3 Getafe 1 1 0 0 2-1 1 3
4 AaB 1 0 1 0 1-1 0 1
5 H. Tel-Aviv 2 0 0 2 0-4 -4 0
Also playing 29.11.07
Getafe v Hapoel Tel-Aviv
After their initial setback on the bizarre night that surrounded Martin Jol's departure from White Hart Lane, Spurs could actually go top of their UEFA Group if results go their way tonight. Anderlecht sit out this round of ties, and Getafe, who beat us in our first home game of this stage, host Hapoel Tel-Aviv, so must be favourites to win well, and pip us for first place. A much-needed win for Spurs would set us up for an exciting night in Belgium next week.
First things first though, and in Aalborg, we will find tougher opposition than Tel-Aviv, as Aalborg did gain a point in their home match against the Belgians. 27 year old Swedish midfielder Mattias Lindstrom got a late equaliser in that game.
The full name of the Danish club is Aalborg Boldspilklub af 1885. No wonder they are known as AaB for short! Aalborg is situated in the North of Denmark, and the club, who are curently second in their 12-team league finished third last season, qualified for this tournament via the Inter-Toto Cup as winners. Aalborg are second in their league only on goal difference and have won 10, drawn 3 and lost 4 of their league games this season.
Aalborg was founded in 1885, as a cricket club, but football was adopted in 1902. The club has won two top flight Championships (1995 & 1999), qualifying for the Group Stage of the Champions League in 1996. They are another team whose home colours are predominantly red, but their away strip is mostly black, with red armbands and grey sides. The manager is a Swede - Erik Hamren, who has been with the club for 4 years.
Amongst their squad, Alborg have former Wigan man Andreas Johansson, who scored two goals against us in the 2-2 draw at The Lane in Wigan's first Premiership season. Johansson has scored 4 league goals, but is out-numbered by another Swede - Rade Prica, and also 23 year old Danish striker Jeppe Curth, both of whom have 8 league goals to their credit.
Every European side we play seems to have a Brazilian or two in their squad, and Aalborg are no exception with midfielders Caca (note the spelling), and Chrys. There is also a Brazilian striker Jose Mota Junior in the squad. In defence they have a USA International Danny Califf, who previously played for LA Galaxy, and who is a current USA International player. Squad members Benedict Vilakazi and Siyabonga Nomvethe, who are both former players with Orlando Pirates in South Africa. Nomvethe has chipped in with 8 goals in all competitions since July.
Thanks to starting the Inter-Toto Cup on 8th July, Aalborg's season is already 5 months and 26 games old, but they do have a winter break to look forward to soon! Aalborg have only lost 1 of their last 15 games (Randers away), and can claim Sampdoria as their first round UEFA Cup scalp.
Spurs are not helped by the absence from this game of Younes Kaboul, who has suffered a groin strain, and the illness of Jermain Defoe. With other central defenders such as Ledley King, Ricardo Rocha and Anthony Gardner also out (a weekly line in all previews these days), there must be a slot for Pascal Chimbonda next to Dawson and for Paul Stalteri to come in at right back.
Spurs have plenty of options remaining in midfield and attack, and with a 30,000+ crowd behind them, I expect Ramos to continue his unbeaten run, and Spurs to win by two goals. My report is likely to be posted on Friday.
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