Tottenham have their sights set on a Europa League final but will need to overcome an Arctic expedition as they visit Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.
Ange Postecoglou’s side made a good start to the tie as they secured an advantage at home last week, but the late concession of a goal, narrowing their lead to 3-1, could yet prove costly.
Bodo/Glimt have beaten FC Twente, Olympiacos and Lazio by at least a two-goal margin in Norway on their run through to the last four, and will be confident of another good result as they welcome Spurs to the harsh conditions of the Aspmyra Stadion.
With the final just a hair’s breadth away for Spurs, triumph in the Europa League could act as Postecoglou’s last chance of salvation in the Tottenham hot seat after an otherwise miserable season.
Follow all the build-up and action from Norway below:
Bodo/Glimt fan trades five kilos of fish for ticket to Tottenham semi-final
How about this!
A Norwegian bartered five kilos of semi-dried fish for a ticket to Thursday’s semi-final clash between Bodo/Glimt and Tottenham Hotspur in the Arctic Circle.
Some 50,000 fans were vying for just 480 tickets to the second leg of Bodo/Glimt’s Europa League semi-final.
After missing out, Torbjorn Eide, a production manager at a fish farm in Senja, offered five kilos of boknafisk, a Norwegian delicacy worth nearly 2,500 Norwegian krone (£182), in exchange for a ticket.
Aston Villa ‘not happy’ as Tottenham fixture moved
Aston Villa bosses insist they are “not happy” about their Premier League match against Tottenham being brought forward two days to assist the Londoners’ preparations for a potential Europa League final appearance.
Villa’s director of football operations Damian Vidagany said his club had reluctantly accepted the change, and hoped the “clear prejudice” against Villa in this decision would be remembered should they need assistance with fixture scheduling due to European football next season.
“Fixture changed and honestly, not happy,” he wrote on X.
“But it could be even worst (sic). We really pushed – everyone in the club at different levels – with solid and fair grounds to protect our fans ( our main task and duty) and keep the Spurs match on Sunday. Nothing against Spurs.”
Tottenham’s match against Aston Villa moved ahead of Europa League final
The match has been moved to aid Spurs’ potential preparations and recovery ahead of the final, with the Lilywhites now travelling to Villa Park on the evening of Friday, 16 May, having originally been scheduled to face Villa on Sunday, 18 May at 2.15pm.
Ange Postecoglou hits back at Arsene Wenger in debate over Champions League spot
“Well, I mean that’s a debate that’s been raging for years, like at least the last eight days,” Postecoglou smiled. “I’ve never heard that before. I’ve said it before, mate, Spurs does crazy things to people. It does, it does.
“You put that club into any sentence or any issue and invariably they all come out and try and diminish as much as they can.
“Why wasn’t there an issue before and it’s an issue now? What’s the difference? I don’t understand what the difference is.
“Last year, fifth didn’t get you into the Champions League, this year it does. What does that mean?
“There are competition rules and the rules say that the winner goes into (Champions League) and it’s not the first year.
“And there isn’t an asterisk against it that you have to do something else as well, but it’s Spurs, mate, they love it. They love it.”
James Maddison out for the season with potential Europa League final looming
Now this is a big blow.
However, should Postecoglou’s side pass this week’s test in the Arctic and book their place in Bilbao, Maddison will play no part in the final showcase after scans revealed he is facing an extended period on the sidelines.
Odds for the clash
Bodo/Glimt to progress 8/1
Tottenham to progress 1/9
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Predicted line-ups
Bodo/Glimt XI: Haikin; Sjovold, Nielsen, Gundersen, Bjork; Evjen, Berg, Saltnes; Maatta, Hogh, Blomberg.
Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Johnson, Kulusevski, Richarlison; Solanke.
What is the Tottenham team news?
James Maddison appears likely to miss the remainder of the season for Tottenham, a major blow with Lucas Bergvall also out.
Heung Min Son is a doubt as he nears a return from injury.
What is the Bodo/Glimt team news?
Patrick Berg, Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen should all be back in action for Bodo/Glimt after serving suspensions in the first leg.
Meanwhile, Daniel Bassi remains absent.
Is Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch
The Europa League semi-final second leg is due to kick off at 8pm BST on Thursday 8 May at Aspmyra Stadion in Bodo.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage on the channel from 7pm BST. Subscribers can stream the action via discovery+.
Source: independent.co.uk
