Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham LIVE: Spurs overcome Arctic challenge to book place in Europa League final
Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham (agg 1-5): Spurs overcome the Arctic expedition to book their place in the Europa League final in Bilbao
Tottenham put on a clinic in game management to put their Europa League semi-final against Bodo/Glimt to bed and book their place in a European final.
Bringing a 3-1 lead to the Arctic Circle, Spurs didn't allow the Norwegian underdogs to gain any early momentum, with their only real first-half opening coming from a dead-ball scenario. Patrick Berg tried to catch Guglielmo Vicario out with a swerving free-kick, but the Italian stopper was equal to it to palm over.
Ange Postecoglou's side then gave themselves clear daylight in the tie after the restart, with Dominic Solanke prodding home before Pedro Porro caught out Nikita Haikin from wide to bend into the top corner.
Spurs will now face Man United in an all-English Europa League final, with the two Premier League rivals set to lock horns over continental silverware in Bilbao on May 21.
Relive all the action from Norway below:
Postecoglou hails travelling Spurs contingent
"It's why you do what we do,” he told TNT Sports. “You understand the context of what this football club has been trying to achieve for quite a while.
“Managers and players come and go but the supporters are a constant. There were 400 here tonight and maybe a few more snuck in and many more at home. I hope we gave them something to smile about.”
Postecoglou praises his side for clinic in Norway
"Couldn't be prouder of the lads,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports. “We knew it was a difficult place to come. We're aware of the record they have here, the pitch. I think the lads handled it well. Excited, we're in a final.
"We've grown in maturity and we understand exactly what's required. I think that's where we won the game. We kept them to a minimum in the first half and did what we needed to do.
"We've used every player in the squad. We've overcome adversity. I felt when we got into the knockout, it helped we got players back.”
Van de Ven puts dismal season aside: 'We're one game away from winning some silverware'
"Unbelievable feeling,” Van de Ven told TNT Sports. “What can I say? We had a tough season but we're one game away from winning some silverware.
"We showed some character today, some mentality also. They didn't create any chances today and then we scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The artificial grass, it's cold and rainy, we showed great mentality to win 2-0.
"We want to thank them all for their support and let's go to Bilbao. In the league we're not doing well but we can make it something special."
Ange Postecoglou blasts critics still trying to ‘tear down’ Tottenham after sealing Europa League final
Ange Postecoglou has fumed over questions on whether Europa League success would be enough to save Tottenham’s season, accusing people of trying to “diminish” their achievements.
He said in his post-match press conference: “Why do I care what Man United think? Why is that relevant to me? Ask the Man United manager why he says that. I’ve said all along that this is important.
“What do you think a trophy would do for this club? The question answers itself, but what’s happening right now is that people are fearing that it actually might happen.
“Because it might happen, let’s see how we can tear it down or diminish it somehow by saying it’s been a poor season, or that we don’t deserve this or we don’t deserve that, or somehow comparing us to Man United.”
Postecoglou blasts critics still trying to ‘tear down’ Spurs
Report: Tottenham book Europa League final against Man Utd after impressive victory at Bodo/Glimt
Tottenham remain on course to end their 17-year trophy drought and to win silverware in Ange Postecoglou’s second season after a 2-0 win at Bodo/Glimt sent them through to the Europa League final.
Spurs held a two-goal lead after last week’s first leg in north London, but had been warned to expect a stern examination on Bodo’s notoriously difficult artificial surface in the Arctic Circle.
A firework display welcomed both teams onto the Aspmyra Stadion pitch, but Postecoglou watched his team produce a masterful defensive display in the first half before they struck twice in the second period.
Dominic Solanke made the breakthrough after 63 minutes with his 15th goal of the season, before a cross-cum-shot from Pedro Porro six minutes later all but assured Tottenham of a place in the final in Bilbao.
Tottenham book Europa League final against Man Utd after victory at Bodo/Glimt
Solanke hoping for silverware after 'long season'
“It's been a long season and we're down to the business end,” Solanke said. “One more game to go and hopefully we can do it.
“We knew it was going to be very difficult, they started well. We knew we had to be disciplined."
"The fans are phenomenal, the last game at home was the same. Hopefully the fans can make it to Bilbao and we'll have another special day."
Wild celebrations in the Arctic Circle
Tottenham move closer to ending their trophy drought
Tottenham have not won a trophy in 17 years - with their last piece of silverware coming in the form of the 2008 League Cup.
They are now one game, one trip to Bilbao away from ending that drought.
Porro is ready to celebrate - even if he didn't mean his goal
"Very happy for the team, for the fans, it's so long from London,” Porro told TNT Sports. “The team will celebrate this.
"I have crossed for Dom [Solanke]. It's a goal and this is important. The clean sheet is the most important. Clean sheet today and we go to the final."
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