Spurs qualified for this season's Europa League by finishing fifth in the Premier League last season. They were placed in Pot 1 (of four) for the 36-team league phase of the competition. Here is the story of how we qualified for the Round of 16 by finishing fourth in this phase (follow the links for full reports of each game):-
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 1)
THURSDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, 2024
(8.35pm)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(1) QARABAG 0(0)
Scorers:-
Johnson, 12
Sarr, 52
Solanke, 68
On a sodden, windswept night when train lines and roads were closed, making travel to the Tottenham Stadium difficult, Qarabag arrived late, and kick-off was delayed until 8.35pm. That left most of the 51,757 (a good turn-out in the circumstances) fans in the ground worried about how or whether they would get home. Within seven minutes of the start, home fans were worried about the result after Radu Dragusin was shown a red card for preventing goal-scoring opportunity when he fouled Juninho.
Despite that major set-back the ten men forgot they were one short and attacked regardless, ultimately winning comfortably. The scoreline does not tell the tale though, as Spurs' passing fell short too often and the visitors often caught us out at the back with a turn of pace when Spurs over-committed in attack.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 2)
THURSDAY 3RD OCTOBER, 2024
(5.45pm UK time)
FERENCVAROS 1(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1)
Ferencvaros scorer:-
B. Varga, 90
Spurs scorers:-
Sarr, 23
Johnson, 86
It had been raining for 24 hours in Budapest and rained throughout the game. The grass was not as short as most Premier League pitches (especially that at Tottenham) and conditions were difficult. Ange Postecoglou put his faith in youngsters such as Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Will Lankshear and 17-year-old Mikey Moore, and was rewarded with a 2-1 win and maximum points from our first two Europa League matches....
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 3)
THURSDAY 24TH OCTOBER, 2024
8pm
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0) AZ ALKMAAR 0(0)
Scorer:-
Richarlison (pen), 53
Ange Postecoglou made a bold, confident team selection for the visit of AZ Alkmaar with 9 changes to the starting line-up following last Saturday's London Derby win over West Ham. Only James Maddison (wearing the captain's armband) and Destiny Udogie survived of Saturday's eleven. The "B" team succeeded - just!
Fraser Forster made his second appearance of the season and was required to make several good saves. 17-year-old Mikey Moore made his second senior start (having also started in our last Europa League game against Ferencvaros), and when he switched to the left for the second half, dazzled with some fine wing wizardry. Mikey was regaled as "one of our own" and heartily applauded when he was replaced late on by the returning Wilson Odobert....
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 4)
THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER, 2024
5.45pm GMT
GALATASARAY 3(3) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(1)
Galatasary scorers:-
Yunus Akgun, 6
Osimhen, 31, 39
Spurs scorers:-
Lankshear, 18
Solanke, 69
This was surely Spurs' toughest assignment in their 8-game Europa League programme. Galatasaray were top of their league and unbeaten since Young Boys knocked them out of the Champions League play-off. They fielded their strongest front players in Yunus Akgun, Gabriel Sara, Dries Mertens, Mauro Icardi and Victor Osimhen.
Spurs were at their very worst when seeking to play out from the back and were so overrun by the Galatasary attack that Osimhen alone should have had four or five goals, and his team could have run up a cricket score....
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 5)
THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER, 2024
8pm
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2(2) A.S. ROMA 2(1)
Spurs scorers:-
Son (pen), 5
Johnson, 33
Roma scorers:-
N'Dicka, 20
Hummels, 90+1
In an open and frantic game when both sides threatened to score almost every time they went forward, Spurs held their half-time lead until the first minute of added time when Mats Hummels (a Champions League finalist last season) scored at close range from Angelino's cross.
To be honest, the draw was not undeserved in a game either team might have won. Spurs hit the woodwork at least three times. Roma had "goals" chalked off for offside. Fraser Forster made an excellent late save, and generally played well, with one or two scary moments.
Spurs lacked composure, but at times were very skilful....
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 6)
THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER, 2024
8pm GMT
RANGERS 1(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0)
Rangers scorer:-
Igamane, 47
Spurs scorer:-
Kulusevski, 75
In the cauldron that is Rangers' Ibrox Park stadium, packed to the rafters with fervent Scots, Spurs fell behind early in the second half but salvaged a point thanks to team work by substitutes Dominic Solanke and goalscorer Dejan "Deki" Kulusevski.
Rangers (who have an "old firm" League Cup Final on Sunday) stood one place above Spurs before and after a result that keeps both teams in the hunt for a top eight place and automatic qualification for the Round of 16. With two games to play in the New Year just 4 points separate teams in 8th and 25th places. UEFA must be pleased with how the new style competition is working out.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 7)
THURSDAY 23RD JANUARY, 2025
(5.45PM GMT)
TSG 1899 HOFFENHEIM 2(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(2)
Hoffenheim scorers:-
Stach, 68
Mokwa, 88
Spurs scorers:-
Maddison, 3
Son, 22, 77
On the day he made his 436th club appearance to move above Harry Kane into our all-time top ten list, Son Heung-min scored his 171st and 172nd club goals which ultimately saw us back into the top eight of the 36-team Europa League.
In the face of adversity (Ange Postecoglou could only take 13 first team players to Germany), Spurs won in Europe for the first time since October and have secured entry to the knock-out phase.....
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE
(Matchday 8)
THURSDAY 30TH JANUARY, 2025
(8PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3(0) ELFSBORG 0(0)
Scorers:-
Scarlett, 70
Ajayi, 84
Moore, 90+4
Three young academy products (two of whom came off the Spurs bench in the second half) won the game, together with the headlines as they each scored their first senior goals for the club.
20-year-old Dane Scarlett was recalled from his loan at Oxford this month and now he has appeared for Spurs, he won't be going out on loan again this season. Dane made his senior debut in November 2020 and last appeared for the first team at the end of last season. He set the ball rolling when he headed in Kulusevski's cross in the 66th minute.
To be honest, Elfsborg never looked like scoring and Scarlett's goal was probably enough to settle the result. However, debutant 19-year-old Damola Ajayi scored a very neat goal on his club debut (assisted by Scarlett) before Mikey Moore (still only 17 remember) scored his first senior goal almost on the stroke of full time. The kids are alright!
Spurs finished fourth in the 36-team league table with 17 points and have earned themselves a little respite with two free matchdays and a pass to the Round of 16............
. The road to Bilbao - Part Two - The knock-out phase
