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Spurs record in Europe:-

 
U.E.F.A Champions League
 
 P   W   D   L   F - A
12   5   3   4  25 -19
 
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/Europa League
 P    W   D   L   F - A
106  59  29  18  215-89 
 
(Winners 1972, 1984
 Finalists 1974)
 
Total
P    W   D   L   F - A
159 88  38  33  326-155
     

This is not unknown territory for Spurs

Spurs face a difficult and distant trip to Tbilisi in Georgia, east of The Black Sea, and further east than we have travelled in Europe in recent years. It's a long way from home (some 2,000 miles) but not unknown territory for Spurs.

40 years ago, in November and December of 1973, Spurs played the then Soviet Union team of Dinamo Tbilisi in the Third Round of the uEFA Cup. We played the away leg first, getting a 1-1 draw, with Ralph Coates scoring our goal. A crowd of some 45,000 watched the game, and Spurs fielded a strong team. This was Bill Nicholson's last full season of managing Spurs. Our team for the away leg was Jennings; Evans, Knowles; Pratt, England, Beal; Naylor Perryman, Chivers, Peters and Coates.

The return game at White Hart Lane was watched by a moderate crowd of only 18,602. For this game Terry Naylor moved to left back to cover for Cyril Knowles, and 19 year old Chris McGrath played in only his 10th game for Spurs' first team, having made his debut against Arsenal (we won) in October 1973. Chris was one of the scorers in a 5-1 trouncing of the Georgian (Soviet) side. Chivers and Peters got two apiece. McGrath had scored two in a previous European game against Aberdeen, but had to wait till New Year's Day 1974 for his first league goal, at Elland Road.

McGrath made a total of 38 starts for Spurs in all competitions in two years at Tottenham (+9 as substitute), before being loaned out to Millwall. He was then signed by Manchester United for a fee of £30,000 in 1976 but he failed to make much headway there. After leaving United, he played in North America, and then South China. McGrath was capped 21 times for Northern Ireland.

As a Soviet team, Dinamo Tbilisi enjoyed some success, winning the Soviet League in 1964 and 1978. They first played in Europe in 1972, so when they played us in 1973, they really were European rookies. They had a major success in 1981, when they won their one and only European trophy (The European Cup-Winners' Cup) by beating FC Carl Jeiss Jena. Although still a Soviet team, the whole of Georgia celebrated this win.

Now, of course, Tbilisi play in the Georgian League, which they won last season, and have won 14 times in its 23 year history. They don't exactly dominate these days though with only 4 of those wins occurring since the turn of the century. Currently, they've played only two games this season winning one and drawing the other.

Tbilisi's route to this Europa League play-off has been via Champions League qualifiers. They thrashed EB/Streymur of the Faroe Islands in the second qualifying round, but were beaten 3-1 on aggregate next time by Steaua Bucarest. Steaua won 2-0 at Tbilisi too.

Until recently, the Dinamo Arena was only authorised by UEFA to hold 22,000 for European competitions, although the locals say the maximum capacity is some 78,000. Although the necessary modernisation has apparently been completed it is not clear what would be the official maximum gate. They had 40,000 for a Europa League game two years ago against AEK, but 20,000+ for the Steaua game earlier this month.

The Dinamo squad is predominantly local, but they do have a handful of players from further afield. One of these is 23 year old Senagalese defender Emmanuel Mendy, who spent a couple of seasons on Liverpool's books, without making a league appearance. Their top scorer last season was the Spanish midfielder Xisco, who spent the whole of his career in Spain before moving to Georgia two years ago. Jaba Dvali will also be one to watch, as he scored 20 league goals last season.

No doubt however many turn up, there will be quite a hot Eastern European welcome for the Spurs team and the hardy band of travelling fans. I am unable to justify the expense of this trip, so I am glad that at late notice ITV 4 will be showing the game, which kicks off at 5pm BST.

Andre Villas-Boas announced in his teama news yesterday that Jan Vertonghen and Aaron Lennon did not travel, but both are expected to be available on Sunday. Spurs will no doubt field a strong team, in order to at least secure a draw. Vertonghen's absence could mean a first start for the impressive Etienne Capoue, and perhaps Andros Townsend will fill the right wing position. In accordance with AVB's policy of last season, Brad Friedel is likely to get the nod for this one. It is otherwise pointless to speculate on what the team might be, so I'll just say that I think we will at least get that draw, and perhaps even a win!

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