As someone who's been supporting Tottenham Hotspur since their 'Glory, Glory Days' of the early 1960s, it has been a rollercoaster ride filled with more disappointment than jubilation. Often getting close to major success but rarely actually achieving it, even more so over the last 10 or so years.
Their journey through this season's Champions' League has been problematic. They squeezed through the group stage by the skin of their teeth, and beat Manchester City in dramatic fashion in the quarter final. Last night in Amsterdam, they seemed dead and buried at half-time in the second leg of their semi-final, 0-3 on aggregate and heading home. Then everything changed.
Following the example of Liverpool the night before, they came back from the dead, but in even more incredible style. Liverpool had a whole 90 minutes in which to overcome a 3-goal deficit, Tottenham had but 45; Liverpool were playing in front of their fanatical home supporters, Tottenham away from home in a hostile Amsterdam. As with Liverpool, a single goal from the opposition would have rendered their task virtually impossible but ………… .
Tottenham kept Ajax out and scored 3 times, all courtesy of Lucas Moura who isn't even a regular starter in the team. With seconds to go to the final whistle, Ajax were still ahead and on course for the final, but Moura's 3rd goal, scored 6 minutes into added time (of which only 5 minutes was originally signalled) changed all that. The 'away goals' rule kicked in and Tottenham were through to the Final.
Tottenham's only previous foray as far as the semi-final of European football's premier competition was in 1961/2 when they lost on aggregate to the eventual winners Benfica of Portugal after 2 dubious penalty decisions. Since then, they have only managed to qualify to play with the elite on a handful of occasions, once under Harry Redknapp and, now, 3 times under the inspiring management of Mauricio Pochettino. With nothing like the resources available to other top European sides, Pochettino has achieved what seemed impossible and guided his side to the Final. His emotional reaction to the result was there for all to see - it meant the world to him.
In Madrid on 1st June, Pochettino's Tottenham will face Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool for the ultimate prize. Liverpool are the undoubted favourites but after the events of the last 2 nights, anything could happen. Win or lose, Tottenham and Pochettino have achieved something special, something which no one truly believed possible. Should they come away from Madrid with the trophy, it will be one of the greatest sporting triumphs ever.
COME ON YOU SPURS !!!!!!
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