Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year trophy drought with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final. Brennan Johnson’s first-half strike secured Spurs’ first silverware since 2008.
Trophy Drought Over
The tense final at Bilbao’s San Mames Stadium saw Postecoglou’s men, the Hotspurs, claim their first European trophy in 40 years. Not since the UEFA Cup in 1984 have Spurs lifted continental silverware.
“I’m so happy right now,” said match-winner Johnson afterwards. “This season hasn’t been good at all, but I swear, not one of us players right now care about that.”
The Welsh international added: “The club hasn’t won a trophy for 17 years. All the fans get battered, we get battered about not winning anything.”
Johnson’s Decisive Strike
The only goal came three minutes before half-time. Pape Matar Sarr whipped in a cross from the right flank. Johnson ghosted in at the back post.
His effort deflected off Luke Shaw before trickling past Andre Onana. It marked Spurs’ first goal in a final since Jonathan Woodgate’s winner against Chelsea in 2008.
The scrappy nature of the goal mattered little to the ecstatic Tottenham (3.95) supporters. They erupted in celebration as their long wait for success neared its end.
Van de Ven’s Heroics
United pushed for an equaliser after the break. Their best chance came in the 62nd minute when Rasmus Hojlund looped a header towards an empty net.
Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario had fumbled a cross. The ball seemed destined for the net. Micky van de Ven had other ideas. The Dutch defender produced an acrobatic goal-line clearance to preserve Tottenham’s lead. Vicario made amends late on. He denied Luke Shaw with a crucial save in stoppage time.
Champions League Return
The victory delivers far more than just a trophy. Spurs will now compete in next season’s Champions League despite their woeful Premier League campaign.
Tottenham currently sit 17th in the league table after losing 21 matches. Wednesday’s triumph ensures their return to Europe’s elite competition after a two-year absence.
They will also face either PSG or Inter Milan in the UEFA Super Cup final in August.
Postecoglou’s Promise Fulfilled
For manager Ange Postecoglou, the win validates a bold prediction made last September. After losing to Arsenal (1.31), he declared: “I always win things in my second year.”
Eight months later, he delivered on that promise. His second season has indeed brought silverware to North London.
“I think people misinterpreted it,” explained Postecoglou post-match. “It wasn’t boasting, it was me making a declaration. And I believed it.”
The Australian added: “The only thing that would change this soccer club is us winning something. I believed it inside me, that was my ambition.”
Historic Achievement
The triumph represents Tottenham’s third Europa League/UEFA Cup success. Their previous victories came in 1972 and 1984.
For captain Son Heung-min, the achievement carries additional significance. He becomes the first South Korean to lead a club to a major European trophy.
United, meanwhile, face a season without European soccer. Ruben Amorim‘s side never truly threatened to overturn the deficit. Both teams will finish in the bottom half of the Premier League table on Sunday. Neither can place higher than 14th heading into the final day.
