Spurs in Switzerland

Tottenham Hotspur face Swiss opponents, Young Boys Berne, as they strive to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in their history.  Spurs supporters will of course point out that their club did appear in the European Cup, the fore-runner to today's Champions League, in season 1961-62 when they were unfortunate to lose in the semi-final to Benfica.

This is only the second occasion in all their European ties that Spurs have been drawn against a team from Switzerland.  The previous meeting with a Swiss club was in 1973-74 in the 1st Round of the UEFA Cup when Spurs played Grasshopper Zurich.  The aggregate win was 9-2 in Spurs' favour which suggests a very comfortable passage for the north London team but this could not be further from the truth as Spurs endured a very difficult evening in Zurich for the first leg.  It was the goalkeeping talent of Pat Jennin which kept Spurs in the game as he produced save after save.  Spurs took an early lead from a Martin Chivers' header but then Grasshopper created chance after chance only to be thwarted by Jennings.  On the half-hour Ray Evans added a second for Spurs, very much against the run of play.  Just before the interval the home side finally beat Jennings from the penalty spot to reduce the arrears. 

In the second half Jennings continued to deny the Swiss with a succession of outstanding saves and then Chivers scored his second while Alan Gilzean added two more to add insult to injury and produce a quite extraordinary score line.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Knowles, Coates (Holder), England, Beal; Pratt, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Neighbour (Gilzean).

The second game was much more comfortable - Mike England, Martin Peters (2) and an own goal ensured a 4-1 victory at White Hart Lane.

Team: Daines; Evans, Knowles; Pratt, England, Beal; Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Coates

Previous visits to Switzerland have included a tour in 1966-67 following Spurs FA Cup success.  The second game of the tour saw then play Young Boys Berne.  Spurs won the three games they played:

FC Zurich - Won 2-0 Robertson (2)

BSC Young Boys - Won 3-2 Greaves (2), Bond

FC Servette - Won 4-1 Greaves (2), Venables, Saul

In season 1957-58 Spurs went to Basel to play a match against the Swiss National XI.  They won the game by 5-4 with Bobby Smith scoring four goals and Dave Dunmore getting the fifth.

In May, 1914 Spurs undertook an end of season tour of Germany, Italy and Switzerland.  Two games were played in Switzerland - a 6-0 win over Zurich and a 3-0 success against St Gallen.

The next tour that the club undertook was eleven years later when they played seven games in Switzerland in May, 1925.  Again they were successful in each match:

v Basel Old Boys Won 3-0

v Zurich Young Fellows Won 2-0

v Wintherthur Won 4-0

v Lausanne Won 6-1

v La Cheux de Fonds Won 8-1

v Berne Won 5-0

v Basel Won 1-0

In March, 1955 Spurs played FC Servette in a friendly at White Hart Lane.  They had a 5-1 victory with goals from Gavin (2), Brooks, Duquemin, McClellan.   

Players from Switzerland:

Spurs have had two players from Switzerland on their books in recent years - Ramon Vega and Reto Ziegler. 

Ramon Vega

Vega made 64 appearances for Spurs and was a member of the Worthington Cup winning team in 1999 which defeated Leicester City 1-0. He scored 7 goals in his four years at White Hart Lane. He went to Celtic on loan and then signed for Watford after being released by Tottenham.

Ziegler was a young player who made 23 League appearances, scoring once, under Martin Jol and is now playing for Sampdoria.  Both players represented their country in full internationals.

Spurs in History - 23rd May

23rd May, 1984

Spurs 1 RSC Anderlect 1 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg) (aet) [Won 4-3 on penalties]

The 1st Leg in Belgium had ended 1-1, thanks to a Paul Miller goal and this match developed into a titanic struggle as Anderlect went ahead on the hour. Spurs were without Ray Clemence and Glenn Hoddle injured while Steve Perryman suspended after being booked in the first game.

Their stand-in Captain, Graham Roberts, now became their inspiration and drove them forward in search of the equaliser. It came six minutes from time when from a corner, Ossie Ardiles hit the bar and the ball rebounded to Roberts who blasted it home.

Extra time was tense and then the penalty shoot-out brought forward and unexpected new hero, Tony Parks.

Roberts led by example and scored the first penalty, then Parks deputising for Clemence, saved the first penalty and after Danny Thomas had missed what would have been the winning score he saved the final shot before setting off on a jubilant stampede across the WHL pitch followed by his exultant team mates. The other penalties were scored by Mark Falco, Gary Stevens and Steve Archibald.

Spurs had won the trophy for their departing manager, Keith Burkinshaw and the celebrations went on long into the night.

Team:Parks; Thomas, Roberts(Capt), Miller(Ardiles), Hughton;Hazard, Stevens, Mabbutt(Dick), Galvin; Archibald, Falco

Spurs in History - 21st May

21st May, 1974

Spurs 2 Feyenoord 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

Spurs had reached their third European Final, the first English club to achieve this, and were undefeated through the early rounds. In a thrilling game, Spurs led twice but were pulled back by the soon to be crowned Dutch champions.

Spurs started well and it was twenty minutes before Pat Jennings touched the ball, from a back pass. They took the lead in the 39th minute, Mike England scoring with a header from a Ray Evans’ free-kick. However, they held the lead for only four minutes, a free-kick being bent round their defensive wall.

Spurs regained the lead after an hour from another free-kick with England involved but a Dutch defender got the final touch. With nine minutes remaining, Phil Beal went off injured and three minutes later Feyenoord equalised to give them the upper hand going into the second leg.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt, England, Beal (Dillon); McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.

Spurs in History - 17th May

17th May, 1972

Spurs 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 1

UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

Although ahead from the first game, this was a close, hard fought game. Playing their 68th competitive game, Spurs were drained but Alan Mullery increased their lead in the 29th minute when he threw himself full-length to head in a Martin Peters free-kick, injuring himself in the process.

However, he was able to continue and although Wolves equalised before half-time, they were unable to gain the ascendancy to threaten Spurs overall lead.

Alan Mullery went on to lift the trophy to give Spurs their second European trophy, the first British club to achieve that. It was to be his final competitive game for Spurs and while the rest of the weary squad retreated to the dressing rooms, he completed his own personal lap of honour surrounded by the jubilant fans.

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles: Mullery (Captain), England, Beal; Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Coates

Spurs in History - 3rd May

3rd May, 1972

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 Spurs 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

An all English Final, disappointed players and supporters alike who had been hoping for further success on foreign fields.

Both teams played cautiously and it was as the hour approached that Martin Chivers broke the deadlock with a majestic headed goal from a long free kick taken by Mike England. Wolves equalised from a quick free-kick, twelve minutes later.

Spurs were now under pressure until Chivers awoke from his ‘famed’ lethargy and collected the ball out wide and headed for goal to crash home a shot from thirty yards - a goal worthy of any final.

Team: Jennings; Kinnear, Knowles; Mullery (Captain), England, Beal; Gilzean, Perryman, Chivers, Peters, Coates (Pratt).

Spurs in History - 25th April

25th April, 1984

Spurs 1 Hadjuk Split 0 UEFA Cup Semi-Final (2nd Leg)

Having lost the first leg game by 1-2 with Split scoring twice in the second half Spurs were under pressure to regain the initiative. They scored after six minutes when at a free kick outside the penalty area, Micky Hazard managed to bend the ball round the wall and inside the post.

If the score line remained unchanged Spurs would progress on the away goals rule. Hadjuk attacked and Spurs survived a scare when Tony Parks parried the ball onto the bar which it rolled along before dropping to the ground where a flapping and relieved goalkeeper fell on it.

Earlier in the season manager, Keith Burkinshaw, had announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season and the players were determined to give him a leaving present, the UEFA Cup. At least, they had reached the Final.

Spurs in History - 19th April

19th April, 1972
A C Milan 1 Spurs 1 UEFA Cup Semi-Final (2nd Leg)

In the early stages of the 1st Leg at White Hart Lane AC Milan had given Spurs a footballing lesson in retaining possession and generally having them chasing shadows, taking the lead after 25 minutes.

However, as the game progressed, Spurs came more into it, particularly due to the leadership of Alan Mullery and the tenacity and determination of Steve Perryman who equalised after 33 minutes and scored the winner in the second half after an Italian player had been sent off. In a recent interview Perryman described this game as the match of his life - everything that he did in that game worked perfectly.
For the return, Milan were confident that the away goal would be vital to them. However, Spurs produced a most accomplished and assured performance to progress to the Final. Captain, Alan Mullery was the inspiration, giving Spurs an early lead (7th minute) to score the important away goal. With twenty minutes remaining Milan were awarded a penalty to equalise but Spurs held out to reach their second European Final.

Mullery had missed a portion of the season through injury but on regaining fitness was unable to get back into the team. He went to Fulham on loan and it was only due to an injury to John Pratt over the Easter games that Mullery was recalled to play in the 1st leg of the semi-final. He led from the front and was an inspiration to everyone around him.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sevilla Aftermath

‘Don’t Talk, Just Play’

(UEFA Cup - not this year Spurs)

Over the past week there have been sound-bites coming from White Hart Lane – very much in line with the thoughts of the ordinary supporter.

Prior to the game in Sevilla, Jermaine Jenas said, ’You get nothing for reaching quarter-finals or semi-finals. You go home, you are out and you have to watch others play in the final and lift the cup. It’s not a nice feeling and it’s not something we want to continue. If you look at the teams we lost to [in the cups], it has been Arsenal and Chelsea, two of the top three or four sides in England. It was devastating to lose those games. But now, it’s up to us to make that step and beat those sides so we are able to break through into finals and so on. We definitely have the talent.’

He repeated these sentiments in interviews on radio this morning.

Martin Jol was quoted in yesterday’s papers from his programme notes for the Sevilla game, ‘Be in no doubt that when we step out tonight we shall do so determined to get the result for you all.’

Unfortunately, neither has been able to get the views across to the team in a meaningful way as once again Spurs fell short at the business end of a Cup competition.

Tottenham is not somewhere you would include in the ‘Top 100 places to visit in London’ but last night on a beautiful early spring evening the supporters of Tottenham and Sevilla mingled outside White Hart Lane in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that was the complete opposite of the scenes and reports of events inside the stadium in Spain a week ago. Inside the stadium, both sets of supporters built up the atmosphere for a game that would determine which club would be looking forward to the semi-final games in the UEFA Cup – there was a lot at stake on the evening.

Unfortunately, the Tottenham players took this congenial atmosphere onto the pitch, enabling Sevilla to do what Robbie Keane did a week earlier and score an early goal. Not the start that Spurs’ fans had been looking for but nothing had really changed because with Spurs’ defensive difficulties, it was unlikely that they would keep a clean sheet and go through with a 1-0 win and the away goals rule. However, then within seven minutes, Fredi Kanoute did for Sevilla what the previous week’s referee prevented Spurs from doing – building on their good start and increasing their lead. Two goals down – White Hart Lane was stunned – Spurs would need four goals to win.

If ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’ and ‘every picture tells a story’ then the photograph on the back page of today’s Daily Express sums up how everyone was feeling – it shows Keane, Jenas and Berbatov waiting to kick off after Sevilla’s second goal, all with a look of total disbelief at what had happened.

The record books will show that Spurs’ earned a draw and lost 3-4 on aggregate and the statisticians will be able to note that Spurs have only lost one home game in all their European matches. Spurs have been given credit for coming back into the game but those facts don’t tell the real story - it was forty one minutes before they made a purposeful and meaningful attack when Didier Zakora burst forward at pace and released Berbatov who shot narrowly wide. Berbatov then hit the post with a shot in the final moments of the half – if only – but in truth Spurs could have been four or five behind by the interval, such was the pace and skill of the Spanish team.

Throughout, the fans kept up a continual chorus of support for the team and they were rewarded with two goals in a minute, half way through the second half. A late rally, an amazing comeback, nobody really expected it and throughout the Sevilla reserve goalkeeper hadn’t a save to make, while in the latter stages it was Paul Robinson who had to pull off one or two saves to prevent Sevilla regaining the lead.

Also in his programme notes, Martin Jol treated us to the views of Ernst Happel, a coach he has admired since his younger days – ‘I understand Happel was a man of few words,……… He had two favourite phrases. ‘Don’t talk, just play’ was what he would instil in his players, whilst his pre-match team-talks consisted of the rather prosaic,’Gentlemen, two points.’

There’s been plenty said over the last week but now the talking is over and we will just play…..’

Unfortunately, that didn’t happen – the concern is not that they failed to get past the team sitting second in the Spanish League and UEFA Cup holders, but the nature of their demise. Within seven minutes the war (qualification for the UEFA Cup semi-finals) was lost, although they later managed to draw the battle (the match). Once again the players had failed to deliver when it mattered most – those big, winner takes all games.

Spurs’ record in the Premiership against the top sides this year, apart from the Chelsea home game, has been appalling – even worse than some recent years when Spurs appeared to be starting to challenge those teams but without actually winning. However, this season they conceded three goals at both Anfield and the Emirates Stadium, lost at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge by a goal, without ever being a real threat to the home side, lost by four at home to United while Liverpool comfortably handled Spurs at White Hart Lane, with Arsenal to come in a week’s time. In both the Carling Cup and FA Cup, Spurs put themselves in a strong position against Arsenal and Chelsea when holding a two goal lead but ultimately failed.

Jenas is quoted as saying he is tired of losing at the late stages of Cup competitions but here again against Sevilla, he along with numerous others failed to make an impression or any meaningful contribution. In last night’s game he was anonymous as he has been in previous games against the top clubs. Steed Malbranque never recovered from the horror of gifting Sevilla the early goal. Aaron Lennon couldn’t escape the clutches of the defenders appointed to mark him throughout and so ineffectual was he as an attacking threat that in the final moments of the game he was consigned to left back while Pascal Chimbonda moved forward as an extra attacker. Robbie Keane had one of those ‘running round in circles games’ which he frequently reserves for the top teams. For an hour of the biggest game of the season the players could not raise themselves from the lethargy that was so restricting their play - their control, their passing, everything let them down. The winning mentality that Martin Jol talks about so often, simply is not there in this squad of players.

What is the answer to Spurs problems? Well to answer in the honest words of Jamie Carragher when questioned after Liverpool’s two Cup defeats to Arsenal in early January – ‘We need better players.’

Once again much will be written and speculated on as the summer transfer window opens and action will be taken in an effort to rectify the wrongs of this current season. However, the actions of last summer may be saying more than words, about the current owners’ view of Tottenham Hotspur’s place in the football hierarchy. They took the money for Michael Carrick and that transfer has certainly strengthened the northern club while Spurs, although they may have shown improvement in their style of play in recent weeks, have done little to suggest they are closing the gap on the top clubs in the Premiership.

Logan Holmes.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sevilla UEFA Cup Q/F (2nd leg) Preview

Thursday, 12th April, 2007
Tottenham Hotspur v Sevilla
UEFA Cup Q/F 2nd Leg
KO: 7.45pm
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Welcome to European football 2007 – in Seville everyone discovered what European football was all about - the hostility of the police, diving and win at all cost tactics and refereeing that favoured the home side. The previous games this season have been a mere stroll in the park compared to Spurs’ Spanish experience.

Spurs came through relatively unscathed and know exactly what they have to do at White Hart Lane:

Spurs win by 2 or more goals and they qualify for the semi-finals.
Win 1-0 – Spurs qualify on the away goals rule, thanks to Robbie Keane’s precious goal after a minute.
Win 2-1 – the game goes to extra time and possibly penalties.
Any other single goal win by Spurs would see them eliminated on the away goals rule.

In Spain Spurs had the perfect start and for the next twenty minutes they were comfortable and only when the referee interfered with the penalty award did Sevilla come into the game. For the rest of the first half Spurs were stretched but Martin Jol did an excellent job at half-time to get the team regrouped for the second half when they were rarely troubled and could have equalised. So at the end of ninety minutes, a one goal defeat can be regarded as a job well done.

Of course, the work now has to be completed at Tottenham. Sevilla showed that they are quick on the break so Spurs will have to be careful as they look for those important goals that they don’t leave themselves exposed at the back.

Spurs will have to show patience and composure to deal with the Sevilla players’ attempts to win free-kicks every time they are tackled. Here the referee must take a firm control to avoid a repetition of the first game when free kicks were awarded liberally to Sevilla while the Spurs players, especially Keane and Berbatov, received little protection.

The referee on Thursday evening is Konrad Plautz from Austria.

Injuries are playing a part for both sides – Lee and Stalteri have now joined the Spurs’ injury list but it is rumoured on message boards and has been reported in some of the media that Ledley King is ready for a return to action. That would be a great boost for Spurs but he has been out for so long and we have heard on a number of occasions that he was about to make an appearance in the team. We will have to wait and see.

Sevilla again rested players from their weekend drawn League game so it shows the importance this game is to the Spanish club as they strive to retain the UEFA Cup. However, their goalkeeper, Palop, is injured as is Chevantón who started on the bench last week. He is Sevilla’s top scorer in the UEFA Cup this season with four goals. David Cobeño is expected to take Palop's place for the game at White Hart Lane. The Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano is now available having been suspended for the first leg.

For Spurs to qualify they will have to inflict the first defeat by an English side on Sevilla who defeated Middlesbrough and drew at Bolton in last season’s competition.

Spurs’ record in European games at White Hart Lane shows only one defeat, to Real Madrid in the 1985 UEFA Cup Q/F (1st leg) game. On the two previous occasions that Spurs have lost the away leg by 1-2, they have subsequently won the home game to progress to the next round.

1983-84 UEFA Cup (S/F) Hajduk Split (a) L1-2 (h) W1-0 (won on away goals rule)
1984-85 UEFA Cup (2nd R) FC Bruges (a) L1-2 (h) W3-0

On four other occasions, Spurs have returned to White Hart Lane with a one goal deficit and progressed against Dulka Prague (EC Q/F – 1962) and Bayern Munich (UEFA Cup 3rd R – 1984) but lost to Lyon (ECWC - 1967-68) on the away goals rule and to Feyenoord (ECWC -1992) who held on for a scoreless draw at Tottenham in .

The game is balanced on a knife edge with no room for error and Sevilla’s success is such that they never know defeat – pulling the previous tie around in the final moments when they looked to be going out of the competition. A goal in injury time took the game into extra time when they managed to score a decisive winner. However, with Spurs’ home record being so impressive this season they will be confident of further progress. The only note of caution is that when the top clubs have come to White Hart Lane, with the exception of Chelsea in the Premiership, Spurs have been unable to fulfil their promise. I trust they are ready and able for the task in hand this time.

The game is set up for another pulsating ‘Glory! Glory!’ night of European football at White Hart Lane. The atmosphere will be tremendous as we roar Spurs to a semi-final tie against probably Osasuna of Spain as they hold a three goal lead over Bayer Leverkusen following the first game in Germany.

Spurs in History - 10th April

10th April, 1976

Spurs 0 Leeds United 0 (1st Division)

I could have selected a European semi-final victory (1974 v Lokomotiv Leipzip (a) UEFA Cup S/F Won 2-1) or a defeat (1973 v Liverpool (a) UEFA Cup S/F Lost 0-1) or Paul Gascoigne's much awaited return from injury in 1991, ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Wembley, but selected instead the game that was played on the day that I was married.

Spurs had won their previous five League games including a 2-0 victory at Highbury the previous weekend. Spurs, with Terry Neill as manager, had had a better season than the previous year when they required a last match home victory over Leeds to avoid relegation but still only finished in 9th position.

A team with Jennings, Young, Perryman, Pratt, Chivers and Duncan should have been doing better.

The day is also noteworthy for my local team, Carrick Rangers, winning the Irish Cup for the only time in their history, emulating Spurs of 1901, by being a non-League team at the time. Friends and relations were not best pleased at missing the Final to attend the wedding.

Sevilla v Tottenham Hotspur [UEFA Cup Preview]

Thursday, 5th April, 2007
Sevilla v Tottenham Hotspur
UEFA Cup Quarter-final (1st Leg)

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The UEFA Cup starts in earnest on Thursday evening – away to the trophy holders, Sevilla. Earlier games in Turkey and Leverkusen seemed daunting on paper but in reality Spurs performed well and came through and now have 8 successive wins in Europe. Only Real Madrid in 1985 and 86 have retained the UEFA Cup and Spurs as the only team left who have won it twice will be looking to prevent the Spanish side from copying the feat achieved by Real.

Sevilla with Fredi Kanoute will prove difficult opposition and the way they disposed of Middlesbrough in last season’s Final should be a warning to everyone. They reached the knockout stage of this year’s competition by finishing second in Group C.
They then beat FC Steaua Bucuresti 2-0 away and 1-0 at home to reach the last 16. However, they were fortunate to survive the last round requiring a late injury time goal from their goalkeeper Andrés Palop to take the second leg game into extra time as they overcame FC Shakhtar Donetsk after a 2-2 draw at home. Ernesto Chevantón's extra-time goal secured a 5-4 aggregate victory. So on Thursday evening two goalkeepers who have scored goals for their teams in the past few weeks will be opposing each other. Sevilla have won three of their five home UEFA Cup games including a 2-0 over Braga but lost 1-2 to AZ Alkmaar.

Sevilla are a team of talented players. Apart from Kanoute who left Spurs in the summer of 2005 and is their leading goal scorer with 22 goals, they have a Brazilian right back, Daniel Alves and two skilful wingers Jesus Navas and Antonio Puerta. The strength of the Sevilla side is shown by their two wins over Barcelona this season, once in the Super Cup and recently in the league. A win over Real Madrid has also helped them to second place in the Spanish Liga, two points behind Barcelona.

Sevilla forward Luis Fabiano is suspended for the first leg, while team-mates Julien Escudé, José Luis Martí and Aitor Ocio are all within a caution of missing the return match in London. While for Spurs Berbatov and Chimbonda are both one booking away from a suspension.

Spurs record against Spanish sides is not as good as against some of the other continental sides.

P 5 W 1 D 2 L 2 For 6 Ag 4

After the initial impressive 5-1 success in the ECWC Final in 1963 against Atletico Madrid, Spurs have lost out to both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Both ties are memorable, the 1982 ECWC (SF) against Barcelona was a bruising encounter and saw Spurs draw1-1 at WHL but lose by a single goal in the second leg. Against Real Madrid it was a first home defeat in Europe, to a Steve Perryman own goal, that saw Spurs’ demise as the away game ended scoreless in the Q/F tie, with Perryman sent off in the second leg. This would be a good time to avenge those last defeats.

The Spurs team should be on the usual lines, now that Martin Jol seems to have settled on his best team. With no central defensive cover, Chimbonda should partner Dawson with Stalteri coming in at right back. It is rumoured that Ledley King may travel and have a place among the substitutes in case of an emergency. Depending on his level of fitness Tainio may get a place in midfield, while Keane will probably start alongside Berbatov.

Spurs have encountered tough draws in the latter stages of this season’s Cup competitions – Arsenal in the Carling Cup (SF) and Chelsea in the FA Cup (QF) and now Sevilla. They can look back on those previous competitions as missed opportunities – they can’t afford to make the same mistakes for a third time. A thoroughly professional performance is required in this game so that Spurs come back to White Hart Lane in control of the tie. An away goal is important while the defence must concentrate for the whole game, something they have failed to do too often this season, or they could be severely punished in Spain.

For those who are travelling to Spain – have a good trip and I look forward to the second leg at White Hart Lane in a week’s time.

Spurs in History - 20th March

20th March, 1974

Spurs 3 FC Cologne 0 UEFA Cup 4th round 2nd Leg

As winners of the League Cup the previous season, Spurs European adventure in the UEFA Cup continued with a comfortable win, ensuring that there were no slip ups after their 2-1 win in Germany in the 1st Leg. Spurs increased their aggregate lead with goals from Martin Chivers, Martin Peters and Ralph Coates.

The semi-final tie saw them drawn to play East German opponents, 1.FC Lokomotiv Leipzig.

Spurs - Another First in Europe

Tottenham - 8 Consecutive wins in Europe

Dimitar Berbatov - the Star of Spurs UEFA Cup campaign

Last night's win at White Hart Lane against SC Braga gives Martin Jol's side a new record - 8 consecutive wins in European competitions. No other British club has achieved that number of wins in Europe.

It is an amazing record and one which started in Prague in early September, when a goal from Jermaine Jenas gave Spurs their solitary goal victory over Slavia Prague. A late goal from Robbie Keane was enough to secure the tie on a 2-0 aggregate and into the Group stage of the competition.

Spurs headed the five team group with a maximum 12 points following wins over Besiktas in Turkey, FC Brugge at White Hart Lane, Bayer Leverkusen in Germany and the final home game against Dinamo Bucharest.

In Turkey goals from Ghaly and Berbatov gave Spurs an impressive win, while Dimitar Berbatov's goal was an indication of the class and goal scoring ability of the player who joined Spurs in the summer.

At White Hart Lane Berbatov (2) and Robbie Keane scored the goals in a 3-1 victory over FC Brugge from Belgium.

The next game saw Berbatov return to Germany to the club he had left to join Spurs and he quietly scored the only goal of the game to secure Spurs' win. The final game against the team, Dinamo Bucharest, hoping to oust Spurs from the top of the group was won with goals from Berbatov and Jermain Defoe (2).

The next round draw saw Spurs to meet old rivals from Holland, Feyenoord. However, Spurs received a bye when the Dutch side where expelled from the competition due to the bad behaviour of some of their ans in an earlier game against Lens.

The round of 16, paired Spurs with SC Braga from Portugal. The two cubs had previously met in the opening round of the UEFA Cup in 1984-84 season when Spurs were holders of the trophy. Spurs progressed comfortably then with a 9-0 aggragate win, 3-0 in Portugal and 6-0 at home. Spurs again scored three in Braga but it was a closer affair after the home side pulled back from two down to level and it was only an injury time goal from Robbie Keane which gave Spurs the advantage for the home leg. He had earlier scored the first goal and Steed Malbranque got the second. Dimitar Berbatov was the star of the game in Portugal when he had run Braga ragged but somehow failed to score. He made up for that in the return game by scoring two great goals to give Spurs a half-time lead after they had unexpectedly found themselves a goal behind against the run of play. A further goal from Malbrangue, created by Berbatov, secured Spurs place in the Quarter finals of the competition, where they are only British club left and the only club able to win it for a third time.

• Berbatov scored in four consecutive games and his failure to score in Portugal prevented him from becoming the first Spurs player to score in five consecutive European games.

• Dimitar Berbatov has now scored 7 goals in the UEFA Cup.
  
  
  

Match Preview - UEFA Cup Tottenham Hotspur v SC Braga

UEFA Cup (Round of 16) (2nd Leg)

Wednesday, 14th March, 2007 KO: 8.15pm

Tottenham Hotspur (3)

D W W W W W

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SC Braga (2)

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Following the first game, Spurs should make it into the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Cup whatever team Martin Jol decides to play on Wednesday evening. There was nothing in the SC Braga performance to suggest that they could come back at White Hart Lane to win the tie. Spurs could so easily have been bringing a three or four goal lead to this game but a dubious penalty and a debatable free-kick gave Braga a glimmer of hope until Robbie Keane scored the late winner. Spurs totally dominated the game with Dimitar Berbatov again proving the thorn in their flesh - his performances in Europe this season have been awesome and it is so good to see them being brought to the Premiership as well.

If Tottenham put in a proper professional performance, they should win with ease against a team that played neat football to the edge of the penalty area but could create nothing after that.

Braga have a reputation for a tight defensive team, they hadn't conceded a home goal in the previous UEFA home games, and they only conceded 25 in 21 games this year. Their home match on Sunday against Beira Mar (15th in the 16 team League) ended in a scoreless draw.

Away from home in the UEFA Cup they lost both games in the group stage - 0-3 to AZ and 0-2 to Sevilla, although they did win 1-0 at Parma with a 90th minute winner.

Spurs have been involved in a series of high-pressured games in the past three weeks. Having endured a period of poor results from the end of January, the team was under pressure as they went into the Fulham FA Cup tie with many predicting they would lose. They came through that game convincingly, the win at Everton was more pressure with another late winner and then they defeated one of their more difficult teams, Bolton, with an outstanding display including playing for almost an hour with ten men. The tension of that game was only exceeded by the game at West Ham when they scored twice in the last five minutes to snatch victory. A late goal at Braga and just over sixty hours later they faced Chelsea in the FA Cup. It has been a gruelling time for the players and understandably they are feeling drained emotionally and physically but they overcame it to put on a performance that deserved victory.

Immediately after the Chelsea game, the feeling was of disappointment - that they had missed a great opportunity - but on reflection the players have done amazingly well to turn the season around. Not only have they had a series of tension packed games but they have had to cope with mounting injuries. In that period there has not been an easy game.

Unfortunately, the injury list continues t grow with today's news that Anthony Gardner broke a bone in his leg shortly after coming on as substitute on Sunday. With Rocha ineligeble for UEFA Cup games. Chimbonda may have to switch to the middle to play beside Michael Dawson, the only fit central defender.

This season reminds me of 2001 when Liverpool suddenly hit a rich vein of form that carried them to a treble of FA Cup and UEFA Cup success, having already won the League Cup. If Spurs could follow suit with a Cup double, what a dream and what a season that would be.

I'm looking forward positively to the UEFA Cup Quarter-Finals because the dates suit me and I want to be at White Hart Lane to experience one of those very special 'Glory, Glory Nights' at the Lane.

SC Braga v Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview

UEFA Cup (Round of 16)

Thursday, 8th March, 2007 - KO 9.35pm

V
L W W L W W - - - W W W W L L

A trip to Portugal should be very pleasant for Spurs’ fans at this time of year and they will be travelling with high hopes following Spurs’ impressive return to form and taking note of Spurs’ record in Europe this season, unbeaten in six games.

Spurs’ European experience against teams from Portugal includes a meeting with SC Braga in the 1984-85 UEFA Cup. Spurs as Cup holders met Braga in the 1st Round and progressed comfortably, 9-0 on aggregate. They won the 1st leg in Portugal, 3-0, with Mark Falco(2) and Tony Galvin scoring and in the return game Garth Crooks scored a hat-trick with Gary Stevens, Chris Hughton and Mark Falco completing the scoring.

Spurs overall record against Portuguese team is very impressive:

P 8 W 5 D 1 L 2 For 17 Ag 7

– from four ties they have progressed on the last three occasions, defeating Vitoria Setubal (UEFA Cup in 1972-73), SC Braga (UEFA Cup in 1984-85) and FC Porto (ECWC in 1991-92). The only slip was in the European Cup in 1961-62, the ‘double’ team lost in the semi-final to Benfica, having had goals controversially disallowed in both games.

SC Braga reached this stage by beating Parma 2-0 on aggregate – winning both games by a single goal. In the home game against a very defensive-minded Parma Ze Carlos scored after 81 minutes and in the away leg Parma dominated the game but an 89th minute goal from their Brazilian striker, Diego, ensured qualification even though they had French midfielder Frechaut sent off with 15 minutes remaining. Their goalkeeper Paulo Santos had kept them in the game early on.

They had finished 3rd in their Group stages, behind AZ and Sevilla having lost to both teams.

Although SC Braga are currently 4th in the Portuguese League, they are way behind the leaders – 9 points off third, 14 away from Benfica in second and 18 points behind League leaders, Porto, whom they lost to in their last game. They lost by a solitary goal but missed a penalty and GB on FTL who saw the game described them as a neat passing side but with little end product. In always trying to pass they make mistakes to concede possession and may find difficulty against Spurs more physical approach. He reckoned they looked suspect defensively, especially the right back, although their keeper, Paulo Santos, looked useful.

SC Braga’s last results are not overly inspiring – they have won their last two home League games – 2-1 against Amadora who are 11th in the League, needing a penalty to bring them back into the game and a 90th minute winner from Wender who was then sent off. Their other victory was against bottom club, Aves, and needed an 81st minute strike from Ze Carlos. They lost by one goal to Leiria who are now fifth, two points behind them.

Between their ties against Parma SC Braga changed coach – Jorge Costa is now in charge. He played for Charlton Athletic in 2001-02 season. Apart from playing Spurs, Braga have met English opposition on one other occasion – West Bromwich in UEFA Cup of 1978-79 and lost 3-0 on aggregate, so they haven’t managed to score a goal in games against English opposition.

Spurs team should be on the usual lines, Rocha is ineligible so Gardner and Dawson will retain the central defensive duties, Zokora should return after injury but Jenas may be out after going off against West Ham. Robbie Keane is again available and may start ahead of Defoe. Berbatov has score in his last four European games and is looking to be the first Spurs’ player to score in five successive European games. Let’s hope he can do it.

Not wanting to under-estimate SC Braga but Spurs are very capable of winning in Portugal, although over two legs other results can be looked upon favourably as long as the end result is progression to the next round.

Two additional incentives to beat SC Braga – they play in red shirts with white sleeves and their nickname is Os Arsenalistas (The Arsenalists).

Spurs have an excellent record in Europe this season, they have shown considerable application, skill and awareness of tactics in all of those games and everyone will be looking for a similar performance on Thursday evening to take Tottenham Hotspur one step closer to Glasgow on a spring evening in May.

COYS.

Spurs in History - 6th March

Steve Perryman and Alan Gilzean with the UEFA Cup in 1972

6th March, 1985

Spurs 0 Real Madrid 1 UEFA Cup Quarter-Final (1st Leg).

In all European competitions, Spurs had maintained an unbeaten home record since their debut in 1961. Some of the performances had overturned deficits in exhilarating performances but in this game Spurs lost their unbeaten record in bizarre circumstances.

The only goal came in a Real breakaway, Ray Clemence palmed out a cross which struck Steve Perryman on the knee and rebounded into the goal.

Spurs battled gamely in the return game but without reward and the scoreless draw was insufficient. Perryman’s European career ended with a dismissal for a professional foul.

Spurs Say 'Bye' to Feyenoord in UEFA Cup

Spurs became the first team to reach the Quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup when the 'bye' was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration who rejected Feyenoord's appeal.

The tie has been in doubt since the ban imposed on Feyenoord for the misbeheavour of their fans in an earlier round of the competition. Spurs progress was confirmed yesterday when the Dutch club lost their appeal. Spurs next opponents will be the winners of the tie between Parma (Italy) and Braga (Portugal).

There are problems surrounding this tie because of the difficulties in Italian football which was suspended last weekend when a policeman was killed by rioting fans. Now only grounds which have been passed as safe for play can be used and currently the Parma ground has not been included in the grounds that are fit for the resumption of play.

Spurs fans, while pleased to have qualified for the next round of the competition are disappointed that they have been denied the opportunity to renew acquaintances with the Dutch side which they have met on a number of previous European competitions.


Previous European meetings between Spurs and Feyenoord:

1961-62 European Cup (1st R) 1st Leg (a) Won 3-1, 2nd leg (h) Draw 1-1

1973 -74 UEFA Cup Final 1st Leg (h) Draw 2-2, 2nd Leg (a) Lost 0-2

1983 - 84 UEFA Cup (2nd R) 1st Leg (h) Won 4-2, 2nd Leg Won 2-0

1991 - 92 European Cup Winners' Cup (Q/F) 1st Leg (a) Lost 0-1, 2nd Leg (h) Draw 0-0

Spurs record against Feyenoord:

P 8 W 3 D 3 L 2 For 12 Ag 9

The most disappointing result was the UEFA Cup Final defeat in 1973 - 74. Spurs had been held at home in the first game but the 2nd Leg was ruined when Spurs fans rioted during the game and Bill Nicholson had to make an appeal for calm and restraint during the half-time interval.

1974: Spurs 2 Feyenoord 2 UEFA CUP FINAL (1st Leg)

Spurs had reached their third European Final, the first English club to achieve this, and were undefeated through the early rounds. In a thrilling game, Spurs led twice but were pulled back by the soon to be crowned Dutch champions. Spurs started well and it was twenty minutes before Jennings touched the ball, from a back pass. They took the lead in the 39th minute, Mike England scoring with a header from a Ray Evans’ free-kick. However, they held the lead for only four minutes, a free-kick being bent round their defensive wall. Spurs regained the lead after an hour from another free-kick with England involved but a Dutch defender got the final touch. With nine minutes remaining, Phil Beal went off injured and three minutes later Feyenoord equalised to give them the upper hand going into the second leg.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt, England, Beal (Dillon); McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.

Feyenoord 2 Spurs 0 UEFA CUP FINAL (2nd Leg)

For the 2nd Leg in Rotterdam a week later, Spurs knew that they were facing a very difficult and daunting task as they were going into it on level terms from the 1st Leg. The task became even more difficult as fans rioted before, during and after the game.

Feyenoord went ahead in the first half and during half-time when Bill Nicholson should have been trying to focus the team on the task on hand, he was having to appeal to the fans for calm. In the second half, Feyenoord continued to be in control and scored a second to end Spurs record of never having lost a major Cup Final.

The behaviour of the rioting fans brought discredit on the Club, the team and those who went to loyally support the players as they tried to win another European trophy. Bill Nicholson was disappointed and disillusioned and his resignation a few weeks into the new season could be linked to the events in Holland, bringing to an end his long association with Tottenham Hotspur.

Team: Jennings; Evans, Naylor; Pratt (Holder), England, Beal; McGrath, Perryman, Chivers, Peters (Captain), Coates.

Happier memories surround the contests between the two clubs in the UEFA Cup 2nd round tie in 1983-84. Keith Burkinshaw's team were looking to add the European trophy to the impressive list of silverware acquired in the previous three seasons.

October, 1983: Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest. It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals. He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald. Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin. Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass. In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game to score twice but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

November, 1983: Feyenoord 0 Spurs 2 UEFA Cup 2nd Round (2nd Leg)

With two goals in hand in the 2nd leg, Spurs assured themselves of qualification for the next round when they gave an impressive display and scored through Chris Hughton after 25 minutes and then confirmed victory with a late goal from Tony Galvin. spurs aggregaste victory being an impressive 6-2 score line.

Spurs in History - 19th October

19th October, 2006

Besiktas (Turkey) 0 Spurs 2 (UEFA Cup - Group Stages)

Scorers: Ghaly, Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov

Spurs produced their best performance of the season in what had been regarded as a tricky UEFA Cup group game in Turkey.  A goal in each half saw Spurs win comfortably and in the latter stages if they had taken their chances, the win could have been even more convincing.  Spurs settled quickly and went ahead after 31 minutes when Hossam Ghaly was put through by Berbatov with only the goalkeeper to beat.  He delayed his shot and the goalkeeper blocked it but the ball rebounded onto Ghaly and into the net.  It was his first goal for Spurs and gave them a deserved half-time lead.

At the start of the second half the home team increased the pressure but with Michael Dawson and Ledley King comfortable in central defence and the midfield players working tirelessly, Spurs maintained control and after 63 minutes Dimitar Berbatov showed why Spurs paid the £11 million transfer fee for him.  Put through from a pass by Robbie Keane, he took on the defender and went round the goalkeeper and with defenders covering coolly scored Spurs second to secure victory.

A more convincing win could have been achieved if Spurs had taken all their chances.  Berbatov again pressured the defender and set up Keane who hit the bar, later Keane blazed over when through on goal and Jermain Defoe shot wide with his first touch in the final moments.

Jermaine Jenas worked tirelessly, covering acres of ground, Berbatov showed his class and Dawson and King controlled the defence.  Paul Robinson showed his class with comfortable saves and a great double save from a free kick late in the first half.

A very pleasing performance and result with Spurs top of the group and looking forward to more European success.

19th October, 1983

Spurs 4 Feyenoord 2 (UEFA Cup 2nd Round (1st Leg)

Scorers: Galvin (2), Archibald (2)

The game matched Glenn Hoddle against an ageing Johan Cryff in a head to head contest.  It was the younger star who was to stamp his class on the match as Cryff failed to live with Hoddle’s creativity and control.

Spurs were four ahead by half-time and Glenn Hoddle had played a part in all of the goals.  He controlled the game and Spurs were supreme, going ahead after eight minutes through Steve Archibald.  Ten minutes later a Hoddle cross was headed in by Tony Galvin.  Archibald scored his second five minutes later with Galvin getting his second five minutes before half-time from a forty yard Hoddle pass.

In the second half Feyenoord came more into the game but Hoddle had displayed his master class and Spurs were almost assured of qualification to the next round.

Team:

Clemence, Hughton, Galvin, Roberts, Stevens, Perryman, Mabbutt, Archibald, Falco, Hoddle, Brooke (Crook). Att. 35,404

7th March - Spurs in History

This is what we want next year on 7th March:

Success in European competition:

1972 UT Arad (h) UEFA Cup 4th R (1st Leg) Won 2-0 England, Morgan

(Spurs went on to win UEFA Cup - defeating Wolves in the Final)

1973 Vitoria Setubal (h) UEFA Cup 4th R (1st Leg) Won 1-0 Evans

(Spurs reached SF, losing to Liverpool on the away goals rule)

1984 Austria Vienna (h) UEFA Cup 4th R (1st Leg) Won 2-0 Archibald, Brazil

(Spurs Won UEFA Cup for the second time - beating Anderlecht on penalties at WHL.)

FA Cup success too:

1981 Spurs 2 Exeter City 0 6th Round Paul Miller and Graham Roberts scored the goals to take Spurs into the semi-final against Wolves.

1993 Manchester City 2 Spurs 4 6th Round

Spurs came from a goal down to lead 2-1 at half time, Nayim and Steve Sedgeley scoring.  In the second half Spurs took control - Nayim completed his hat-trick, Andy Turner had a goal disallowed and Teddy Sheringham missed a penalty.  The match was stopped for thirteen minutes after City fans invaded the pitch and the mounted police had to be called to clear them.

And the SF draw gave us a game at Wembley against Arsenal.

Happy Days

And some success in the League as well -

1959 Spurs 6 Leicester City 0

In a difficult season Spurs were struggling against relegation and with results going against them, Bill Nicholson dropped Danny Blanchflower.  Things didn't improve so he was restored to the team and this game showed him at his best - leading by example, controlling the game and he managed to score one of the goals.  Welsh International Terry Medwin scored four goals and Dave Dunmore scored the other.

Spurs finished 18th out of 22 in the League, three places above relegation but had some high scoring wins throughout the season:

10-4 win over Everton in Nicholson's first game as manager in October

4-0 win over Chelsea in September, Medwin scored a hat-trick

3-0 win over Luton in April

5-0 win over WBA in the last home game of the season, a week after losing 1-5 at Birmingham, Bobby Smith scored 4 against WBA.