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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
73 46 15 12 166-58
(Winners 1972, 1984
Finalists 1974)
Total
P W D L F - A
114 70 21 23 252-105
UEFA CUP ROUND TWO
GROUP G TABLE (29.11.07)
POS P W D L F-A GD Pts
1 Spurs 3 2 0 1 6-4 2 6
2 Anderlecht 2 1 1 0 3-1 2 4
3 Getafe 2 1 0 1 3-3 0 3
4 H. Tel-Aviv 3 1 0 2 2-5 -3 3
5 AaB 2 0 1 1 3-4 -1 1
Also playing 06.12.07
AaB v Getafe
Anderlecht of course feature prominently in Spurs history, as a result of our dramatic meeting in the two legged UEFA Cup Final of 1984, which famously culminated in Captain Courageous Graham Roberts' equaliser and Tony Parks' fifteen minutes of fame during which he made the all-important penalty save that led to Roberts lifting the trophy in front of a roaring White Hart Lane. That was also Keith Burkinshaw's swan-song and parting gift to Tottenham Hotspur.
To say the least it was very sad that the club fell out with Roberts just before the 125th Anniversary game on 1st October, which prevented him being introduced amongst the Legends, and also prevented him from carrying the UEFA trophy into the arena on that night. Roberts remains a through and through Spurs supporter, and great value if you ever get a chance to spend an evening in his company.
It is a matter of record that Frank Arnesen played against us in that final, and that substitute Arnor Gudjohnsen was the unfortunate soul to have the crucial penalty saved by Parks. Gudjohnsen is the father of Eidur Gudjohnsen, who replaced his Dad in an International match for Iceland in 1996.
Anderlecht have a fine and proud record in European Competition. They won the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1975-6 (beating West Ham 4-2), and in 1977-78. They were runners-up in that competition in 1976-77 and 1989-90. When beaten by us in 1984, Anderlecht were the holders of the UEFA trophy, having beaten Benfica in 1983. The Belgians have also twice won the European Super-Cup in the seventies.
Our opponents were Belgian Champions last season, but were beaten in the Champions League qualifier by Fenerbahce, thus dropping into the UEFA Cup. In last year's Champions' League they finished bottom of Group H with 4 points from their six games.
Anderlecht are currently in fifth place in their league. They played their last game on Friday (at home) and drew 0-0 with Standard Liege. Anderlecht lost their previous league game 2-0, and were pulled back to a 1-1 draw in their last game in this competition, by our last opponents, AaB.
To be honest, I have had a run through the Anderlecht squad, and can find no star or familiar names. Clearly they are not as strong a side as they have been in the past, but in their present form, Spurs must under-estimate no team and respect all before them.
Spurs' injuries do not help of course, especially when most of them are defenders, Benoit Assou Ekotto is out for the season. Gareth Bale's injury does not look like a short-term absence, and whilst we hear that Ledley King and Ricardo Rocha are getting close to playing (confirmed in Reserves tonight - 04.12.07), it looks like Juande Ramos will once again have to rely upon Younes Kaboul, or improvise with Chimbonda or Zokora in the middle.
Spurs MAY already have enough points too qualify for the next stage, but a draw would make that a certainty, and a win could yet allow them to finish top of the group, which would be desirable for the next round of this competition.
There is all to play for, and I am off to Brussels to witness proceedings. I'll predict and be satisfied with a draw (2-2), but I won't be able to report before late Friday.
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