Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Tottenham’s Europa League Triumph: A Night of Celebration and Vindication
The Tottenham after-party at the Carlton Hotel in Bilbao was a joyous eruption, marking their Europa League victory. Players, coaching staff, and their families revelled in the moment, many still sporting their match kits, medals gleaming, and the coveted Europa League trophy—a 15kg symbol of pure joy—taking centre stage. The celebrations followed a hard-fought 1-0 win against Manchester United.
The Weight of Victory
According to Tottenham’s captain, Son Heung-min, the trophy is surprisingly weighty. “Very heavy, very heavy,” he remarked. In his exuberance after the triumph, Son accidentally bumped his head against it while lifting it high, a teammate’s playful push adding to the moment. The resulting red mark on his forehead became a lasting emblem of the occasion.
A Party That Refused to End
Around 3 a.m., an attempt to curtail the festivities with the lights being switched on proved futile. Regarded by attendees as a feeble attempt to end the party, nobody was ready to leave. The celebrations continued from the early hours into the later ones, a testament to the significance of the victory after a 17-year trophy drought, and a 41-year wait for European silverware.
While food may or may not have been readily available, the drinks flowed freely. A musician who regularly performs at Spurs’ stadium entertained the crowd, along with a DJ. For manager Ange Postecoglou, accompanied by his family, it was a profoundly gratifying experience.
Postecoglou’s Vindication
The triumph served as undeniable vindication for Postecoglou. His remark following the derby loss against Arsenal last September, where he highlighted his track record of winning a trophy in his second season at a club, was aimed at galvanizing the team and instilling confidence. The comment became a closely followed narrative, often accompanied by memes and increasing skepticism. However, Postecoglou has proven his mettle yet again.
Questions Arise After Europa League Win
As the club gears up for an open-top bus parade on Friday at 5:30 p.m., two interconnected questions linger in the aftermath of the San Mamés triumph:
- Does this Europa League trophy transform the season into a success, mitigating the impact of a historically poor Premier League performance?
- Will this victory ensure the continuation of Postecoglou’s tenure as manager?
Fan Sentiment vs. Club Management
Most Spurs fans would likely agree that the trophy outweighs the disappointment of a season marked by 21 league losses – a club record for a 38-game campaign. Should they lose against Brighton in the final match, it would tie their all-time low from 1934-35, albeit across 42 games. The club’s win-loss-draw record has only been worse once, in 1914-15.
Whether chairman Daniel Levy shares this sentiment remains uncertain, though the salvaged Champions League qualification via the Europa League route could influence his perspective.
Players’ Reactions and Postecoglou’s Future
Players were cautiously diplomatic when addressing the second question. Guglielmo Vicario and Micky van de Ven emphasized their desire to simply relish the victory. Brennan Johnson, who netted the winning goal in the final (his 18th of the season), quipped that “if there’s ever a time for a mic drop, it’s now,” hinting at a potential glorious departure for Postecoglou.
While expressing affection for their manager, none of the squad explicitly urged the hierarchy to retain Postecoglou, although Son came closest to doing so. “He won the trophy, nobody [else] did it, so …,” Son stated. “Look, it’s not up to me or the players. But we just have to look at the facts, at the fact that we hadn’t won in 17 years. It’s the manager who wins the trophy. So, we see what’s going to happen.”
Manager’s European Accomplishments
Before the game, Spurs supporters were heard chanting Postecoglou’s name in the streets surrounding the stadium. After the victory, as he and the players stood before the ecstatic Spurs fans, the tribute resonated once more. Should Postecoglou depart, he would do so with the fans’ eternal gratitude and as a club legend. Only two previous Spurs managers, Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw, have achieved European silverware.
Postecoglou’s Appreciation for Family
During the after-party, Postecoglou delivered a speech highlighting his players as family, and paying tribute to their loved ones. He had also shown the players video messages from their family members during the team meeting prior to the game, a gesture that resonated deeply.
Players’ Sentiments
- Vicario: “It was very emotional and in the back of our minds they were a big part of the game. My mum and dad spoke on my bit. They just said to fight for the badge, for Tottenham Hotspur and to make them happy.”
- Son: “I was emotional when I watched the video and I desperately wanted to win for the family. People think players are deserving of this trophy but it’s the families who deserve this for their sacrifice, their commitment.”
Postecoglou’s choice to leave Son out of the starting XI was a challenging one, influenced by the player’s recent return from injury. Opting for Richarlison, Postecoglou aimed to leverage his physical prowess. Son, who had previously stated that his decade-long commitment to Spurs was driven by a desire to achieve success and win trophies, admitted his disappointment at being a substitute in such a pivotal game.
Son’s Team Spirit
“Look, you always want to start,” Son confessed. “Obviously, I was a bit disappointed, of course. But this was not a stage where you can be selfish. You just have to think about what the team needs and, of course, I was ready to do it. It was difficult but I was committed to the team.”
Decision Looms for Chairman Levy
For Daniel Levy, an even greater decision awaits.