Spurs in History - 5th April

5th April, 1962

'The End of a Dream'

Spurs 2 Benfica 1 European Cup Semi Final (2nd Leg) (Lost 3-4 on agg.)

Spurs came so close to reaching the Final but they couldn’t pull back the two goal deficit against the reigning European Champions. In the first leg in Lisbon Spurs had two goals ruled out for offside and they were determined to comeback strongly as they had in earlier rounds of the competition.

However, their task became even more difficult when they went a goal behind after 15 minutes. From then on Spurs pounded the Benfica defence, Jimmy Greaves had another goal disallowed for offside but eventually equalised in the 35th minute when Bobby Smith scored. Spurs continued to force the visitors back and in the second minute of the second half, Danny Blanchflower scored from a penalty after a foul on John White.

The supporters roared Spurs on and they threw everything at Benfica, hitting the bar and missing some chances but couldn’t get that extra goal.

Benfica were greatly relieved to hear the final whistle.

Spurs in History - 21st March

21st March, 1999

Leicester City 0 Spurs 1 WORTHINGTON CUP FINAL at Wembley

A day filled with European and Cup drama.

In 1953 Spurs lost an F.A.Cup semi-final tie to Blackpool when an Alf Ramsey mistake saw Spurs concede the winning goal with ten seconds left.

In 1962 Spurs lost 3-1 to Benfica in the European Cup semi final 1st Leg tie in Lisbon.

Alan Nielsen celebrates winning the Worthington Cup and MOTM award

However to mark the last success experienced by Spurs we note this Cup victory thanks to a last minute goal from Allan Nielsen. In a rather dour game, Spurs only came to life when reduced to ten men when Justin Edinburgh was sent off. The game seemed to be heading for extra time when Iversen broke on the right to cross and Nielsen was there to head into the net after Kasey Keller, who later was to join Spurs, had pushed the ball out.

Team: Walker; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Edinburgh; Anderton, Freund, Nielsen, Ginola (Sinton); Iversen, Ferdinand.