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Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has said Europa League glory would eclipse Manchester United’s FA Cup win last season and accused critics of trying to “diminish” his side’s ambitions in the competition.
The potentially defining home match of Spurs’ season arrives on Thursday when Bodo/Glimt visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, giving Postecoglou the chance to close in on silverware despite a dismal domestic campaign.
“I’m strong at the moment on these parallel worlds this club is trying to traverse,” said Postecoglou. “I’ve sensed – which is not surprising, because of the way this club is perceived – that people are almost trying to diminish it, in some respects.
“I’ve heard people say it’s the equivalent of Man United trying to win the FA Cup – no it ain’t, I’m sorry. Not on any planet is it the equivalent.”
“Our fans in Frankfurt were outstanding. We’re going to need them tomorrow night.”
Ange Postecoglou praises Tottenham supporters and highlights their importance ahead of the next Europa League clash 👏 pic.twitter.com/0A23ojk1Ee
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 30, 2025
Tottenham: Champions League ambitions
Spurs suffered their third successive Premier League defeat with a 5-1 thrashing at champions Liverpool on Sunday, taking their total to 19 league losses in a season that still holds the promise of silverware if they can oust the reigning Norwegian champions and beat United or Athletic Bilbao in the final.
Only the three relegated teams have lost more games than Tottenham in the top flight, but the side currently in 16th will play Champions League football next season if they win the Europa League.
“Others are suggesting that maybe we’re not worthy of Champions League,” said Postecoglou, whose job has been under scrutiny for much of the season.
“Again, [these are] things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity.
“Irrespective of how this season’s gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else – to share with the people they love a special moment supporting their football club. For the players and everyone involved, it’s a brilliant opportunity.”
“We’re behind the manager 100% – I think he’s a great man!” 🤝
James Maddison on Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou 💬 pic.twitter.com/w8DJwjCA8q
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 30, 2025
Spurs vs Bodo/Glimt
Bodo/Glimt beat Lazio on penalties in the last eight, becoming the first Norwegian team to reach the semi-finals of a European competition.
Glimt have averaged little more than a goal a game on the road in their campaign and lost 3-1 at Lazio last time out, although they gave United a scare when they went 2-1 ahead at Old Trafford before losing 3-2 on November 28.
A succession of injuries and suspensions could make their task even tougher at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where no away side has won in this season’s competition.
Glimt have won their last five home games in the competition and prevailed by at least two goals in the last four of those victories, so Spurs will be particularly keen to establish a first-leg lead.
“You’d love us to think that you’re a small club and we don’t rate [you],” Postecoglou told a Norwegian reporter. “Bodo are there on merit, because they’re a good football team.”
“He’s already got his mind made up…”
Will Ange Postecoglou walk away from Spurs IF they win the Europa League? 👀 pic.twitter.com/L2QFp1FWA3
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) April 30, 2025
Europa League fixtures: Dates, kickoff times
Here’s the full list of Europa League 2024/25 semi-final fixtures. All kick-off times are 20:00.
Thursday, May 1
Athletic Club vs Man United
Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt
Thursday, May 8
Man United vs Athletic Club
Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham
Pedro Porro 💫@SpursOfficial | #UEL pic.twitter.com/9BtcDXQKbV
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) March 24, 2025
Europa League semi finals: TV channels
Every semi-final match will be shown live on TNT Sports, with Tottenham vs Bodo/Glimt on TNT Sports 2.
TNT Sports has four TV channels, up to six digital or red-button channels between TNT Sports 5 and TNT Sports 10, as well as TNT Sports Ultimate and TNT Sports Box Office HD. Fans can watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out the schedule for matches on TNT Sports, visit the schedule on TNT Sports’ website. Prices for TNT Sports vary. Visit TNT Sports for full details.
Europa League semi final online streams
TNT Sports will provide live coverage, highlights and more in the UK on discovery+, with a subscription including TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment.
Europa League final 2025: When is this season’s showpiece?
Bilbao may feel added incentive to reach the final because it will be played at their San Mames Stadium home on Wednesday, May 21 at 20:00.
The Lions moved there in 2013. Their previous stadium staged the second leg of the final in 1977, when Bilbao beat Juve 2-1 but lost on away goals.
San Mamés 😍#UEL pic.twitter.com/JnFtle4gzh
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) January 29, 2025
Have Tottenham ever won the Europa League?
Tottenham won the inaugural edition of the competition – known as the UEFA Cup until 2009 – with a 3-2 aggregate win against Wolves in the 1972 final.
They have triumphed once since then, beating Anderlecht on penalties after both legs ended 1-1 in the 1984 final.
#OnThisDay in 1984 we beat Anderlecht to lift the UEFA Cup at White Hart Lane! #COYS pic.twitter.com/fFOGWxb5kt
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 23, 2017