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Tottenham will have the chance to end their 17-year trophy drought when they face Manchester United in the Europa League final after navigating a tricky trip to Bodo/Glimt and securing a 5-1 aggregate victory with a 2-0 win in Norway.

For an hour Spurs struggled on the artificial pitch inside the arctic circle but Dominic Solanke headed in against the run of play to ease the tension and when Pedro Porro's cross-shot dropped in soon after they knew they were Bilbao-bound for the May 21 final.

Lazio, Olympiacos and Porto are among the big-name sides to have lost at Bodo/Glimt this season but Ange Postecoglou's players passed the test. The Australian's run of securing silverware in his second year in charge of teams could now continue against a United side Spurs have beaten three times already this term.

When Bodo/Glimt pulled a goal back late on in the first leg, this fixture was laced with danger. Spurs had blown the same advantage in this competition at Dinamo Zagreb in 2021.

As it happened in Norway | Teams | Match stats

When is the Europa League final in Bilbao?

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There was an early warning when Ole Didrik Blomberg hit the side-netting for the hosts and aside from a well-saved Porro free-kick Spurs were offering little threat of their own. At the start of the second half, Destiny Udogie twice had to scramble the ball away from inside the six-yard box.

But Solanke pounced just as Bodo/Glimt were ramping up the pressure and Porro's freak second allowed the 400 travelling fans to enjoy the final 20 minutes and plot their way to the San Mames.

Athletic Club's hopes of featuring in the final in their own stadium are over - Man Utd won 4-1 at Old Trafford to wrap up their semi 7-1. But Spurs' dream to end their wait for silverware - and grab a valuable Champions League place at the same time - is on.

Postecoglou: Hopefully we can do something special

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou:

"I couldn't be prouder of the lads. We knew it was a difficult place to come, with the record they have here and the pitch. We deserved to go through and we're excited for the final.

Postecoglou hits out at critics 'fearing' Tottenham Europa League win

"We have grown in maturity through the competition. You can see the lads are understanding what is required. We kept them to a minimum, the lads were focused on what we needed to do. We have used every player in the squad, we are used to adversity and overcoming that. They have handled it all really well.

"Who knows, hopefully we can do something special. We will keep doing what we're doing."

Analysis: Spurs were mentally where they needed to be

Sky Sports News' Gail Davis at Aspmyra Stadion:

"Tottenham refused to be drawn into the Bodo/Glimt narrative. Mentally they were where they needed to be.

"The home side weren't able to get on the front foot as they had promised and hoped - and on the rare occasions Bodo/Glimt found themselves running at pace into space Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero dealt with the threat.

"Richarlison and particularly Dominic Solanke ran some hard yards, Destiny Udogie saved his side early in the second half and Pedro Porro will remember his finish for years to come.

"Bravo to Guglielmo Vicario too, he set his stall out as early as the sixth minute, taking his time with his kick to the annoyance of those in yellow and black and was eventually booked.

"It was a thoroughly professional performance away in Europe again. It's not a night to ask why they haven't managed to do that in the league this season, it's a night for congratulating Postecoglou and his team who are heading for a Europa League final in Bilbao."

Solanke: One more game to go!

Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke speaking to TNT Sports:

"It's been a long season and it's the business end now. One more game to go! Hopefully, we can do it. We knew it would be difficult and they started well. We wanted to get the first goal. When we did, it was good to see it out from there.

"The fans were incredible. We are delighted to give the fans who have travelled what they deserved."

When is the Europa League final?

Manchester United await in the Europa League final.

It takes place at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on Wednesday May 21; kick-off 8pm.

KICK OFF! Wolves 0-0 Brighton

It's Wolves who get us underway...

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Wolves remembers

Before kick-off, Wolves pay tribute to Peter McParland and Dave Woodfield, two former players who passed away recently.

Pereira: I want us to compete

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira to Sky Sports:

"A good match for sure. This is a good chance for us to compete at our level against a team that is doing a consistent season. That's why they are fighting or the European positions.

"For us, it's important to play at our level, compete with them and show we are capable of competing with those positions.

"The last matches are very important. I don't want a team where one day they compete, another they don't."

Hurzeler: We need defensive mindset

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler to Sky Sports:

"A minor injury [for Lewis Dunk]. We are happy we have this depth in our squad, we always had a lot of changes during the season, but we are always capable of filling in those positions.

"It's not about scoring goals, it's having the defensive mindset, keeping the clean sheet. For sure we will try to create chances though."

Here we go!

Out come the teams at Molineux!

It's a game that means more for Brighton as they bid to boost their European aspirations for next season.

But then again, Wolves - despite having little to play for - have benefited from playing with that extra bit of freedom in recent weeks.

Which way will this one go?

Starting line-ups reminder

Wolves: Sa, Doherty, Agbadou, Toti, Semedo, J Gomes, Andre, Ait-Nouri, Munetsi, Cunha, Guedes.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Lamptey, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan, Baleba, Wieffer, Minteh, O'Riley, Ayari, Welbeck.

Inside story of Wolves' revival

Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Molineux:

Wolves revived under Vitor Pereira: The inside story of how a change of culture saved their Premier League season

Sky Sports

"Wolves had nine points from 16 games when Vitor Pereira arrived and are now among the form teams in the Premier League, staying up in style. But there has been more than one change at Molineux. This is the story of cultural change that came right from the top..."

Brighton’s history men

João Pedro is Brighton’s top scorer in the Premier League this season with 10 goals, closely followed by Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma on nine. Only in 1980-81 (Mick Robinson and Gordon Smith) and 1981-82 (Andy Ritchie and Mick Robinson) have they had two players reach double figures in a top-flight campaign.

Fantasy football pick?

Rayan Aït-Nouri has been directly involved in more goals than any other defender in the Premier League this season (11 – 4 goals, 7 assists). He’s the only Wolves defender to have been involved in 10+ goals in a single campaign in the competition.

Strand Larsen on the bench

Sky Sports' Adam Bate at Molineux:

"If Jorgen Strand Larsen were fully fit then you would expect him to be starting so it is interesting that he is not warming up with the rest of the Wolves substitutes but instead being put through his paces individually. He could feature today but it seems likely to be brief."

Brighton’s varied threat

No team has had more different goalscorers in the Premier League this season than Brighton (excluding own goals), with their 16 scorers their most ever in a campaign in the competition.

Wolves’ underlying numbers

Wolves have an expected goal difference of -13.2 in the Premier League this season (40.8 xG, 54 xG against) – only the three relegated sides have a lower difference in the competition this term.

Goalkeeper worries?

Wolves (62 goals conceded from 439 shots faced) and Brighton (56/395) have conceded a higher share of their shots faced than any other sides in the Premier League this season (14%).

Brighton’s dip in form

Brighton have won just one of their last seven Premier League games (D3 L3), beating West Ham 3-2 last month. They’ve lost their last two away from home, last losing three in a row in May 2021.

Premier League predictions

Watch Bournemouth vs Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest vs Leicester and Liverpool vs Arsenal live on Sky Sports; play Super 6 to win £250,000!

Premier League predictions, odds and best bets: Aston Villa set for statement win at Bournemouth

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Free-scoring Wanderers

Wolves have scored 51 goals in the Premier League this season, their joint-most in a single campaign, along with 2019-20. They last scored more in the top-flight back in 1979-80 (58).

Finding form at Molineux

Wolves have won each of their last three Premier League home games, as many as in their previous 15 beforehand (D2 L10). They last won four in a row at Molineux in May 2023.

Last time out for Brighton...

Last time out for Wolves...

Guedes in for Wolves | Brighton change three

Just the one change to the Wolves team with Goncalo Guedes coming into the starting line-up in place of Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who drops to the substitutes’ bench.

Simon Adingra, Lewis Dunk and Jack Hinshelwood come out the team that drew with Newcastle. They are replaced by Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster and Yasin Ayari.

First Half: Southampton 0-0 Man City

Man City can move level on points with Arsenal in second

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Commentary by Pat Rowe

Southampton 0-0 Man City

KICK OFF!

We are under way at St Mary's Stadium...

Can Southampton cause an upset or will City secure the win and move level on points with Arsenal in second?

Time to find out!

Here come the players!

The teams have emerged from the tunnel and kick-off is just seconds away!

Team news reminder!

A reminder of how the teams line-up as we approach kick-off...

Southampton: Ramsdale, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Welington, Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes, Dibling, Kamaldeen.

Man City: Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, McAtee, Foden, Haaland.

Foden and Haaland to guide City past Saints?

Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:

"Erling Haaland's return is a huge boost for Man City heading into the final three fixtures.

"Pep Guardiola's side are in the driving seat for Champions League qualification in third, but there could be plenty more twists in the tale with only four points separating them and Aston Villa in seventh.

"The clash against already relegated Southampton arrives at the perfect time. It's hard to look past a routine win for City today.

"I'm expecting a dominant performance here and will be keeping a close eye on Phil Foden and how he responds to being brought back into the line-up for the first time since April 6."

The stage is set...

St Mary's Stadium is ready and waiting for Southampton vs Man City this afternoon...

Saints looking to avoid unwanted record...

Southampton have lost 28 Premier League games this season, while defeat here would equal the highest number of losses in a 20-team top-flight campaign (also Sunderland in 2005-06, Derby in 2007-08 and Sheffield United in 2020-21).

He's back...

Man City striker Erling Haaland is all smiles ahead of making his first appearance in over a month today.

The race for Champions League football!

The race for Champions League qualification is more competitive than ever with five Premier League teams guaranteed qualification, but who will make the cut?

Champions League qualification: Who is most likely to win race and how many spots will Premier League teams have?

Sky Sports

Jones Knows: City cruise past Southampton

Sky Sports' betting expert Lewis Jones:

If Southampton can only generate 0.5 worth of expected goals and allow Leicester to beat them to nil, then what chance they have got facing a footballing machine like City?

Saints remain the lowest scorers in the English leagues with just 25 goals, and City's defence has developed a snarl in recent weeks. It's much more secure, with the Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol axis impressing.

Man City to win to nil is 11/10 with Sky Bet.

SCORE PREDICTION: 0-2

Premier League predictions, odds and best bets: Aston Villa set for statement win at Bournemouth

Sky Sports

What makes a successful season?

Sky Sports' writers look at what defines success for nine Premier League teams; Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are analysed based on their achievements - or lack thereof - so far this season...

Have Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea, Forest and Aston Villa had successful seasons?

Sky Sports

City finding form at the right time...

Manchester City have won their last four Premier League games, their joint-longest winning run of the season.

They’re looking to win back-to-back away league games for the first time since August.

De Bruyne likes playing Saints...

Against no side has Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne been directly involved in more Premier League goals than he has against Southampton (14 – 4 goals, 10 assists).

Only Ryan Giggs (12 vs Man City and 12 vs Newcastle) and Cesc Fàbregas (11 vs Tottenham) have more assists against an opponent in the competition than his 10 vs Saints.

Man City closing in on Arsenal...

Man City can move level on points with Arsenal in second if they secure the win against Southampton today.

Dynamite Doku!

Man City’s Jérémy Doku has completed more dribbles than any other player in the Premier League this season (102), while he also has the highest dribble success rate of anyone to attempt at least 60 (61.5%).

Last time out: Man City 1-0 Wolves

Last time out: Leicester 2-0 Southampton

Three changes for Saints

Southampton have made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Leicester last weekend.

James Bree, Tyler Dibling and Welington come in for Kyle Walker-Peters, Ryan Manning and Ross Stewart.

Walker-Peters has not been included in the match-day squad.

Watch FREE highlights!

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Watch Premier League goals and highlights free online for every match in 2024/25 season

Sky Sports

Man City changes - Haaland returns

Man City striker Erling Haaland features for the first time since March 30 after missing six games with an ankle injury.

The forward replaces Omar Marmoush at striker, which is one of five changes made by Pep Guardiola from the 1-0 win against Wolves last week.

Nico O'Reilly, Jeremy Doku, Matheus Nunes and Ilkay Gundogan also come out of the line-up for Manuel Akanji, James McAtee, Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.

Southampton team news

Southampton: Ramsdale, Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Welington, Ugochukwu, Downes, Fernandes, Dibling, Kamaldeen.

Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Sugawara, Wood, Smallbone, Aribo, Archer, Stewart, Onuachu.

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It is 17 years since Tottenham last claimed silverware but Rodrigo Bentancur knows the feeling well. He reached double figures for trophies with Boca Juniors and Juventus. Now he hopes his experience will help Spurs over the line in the Europa League.

He has certainly played his part so far. A cool head in midfield who brings tenacity as well as composure, Bentancur has been key during their run to the last four. They will need his knowhow again in Thursday's semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

"We have spoken about age and the number of games played," says the Uruguay international, who, at 27, has already racked up more than 400 senior appearances for club and country.

"More than anything, I try to share my experiences with the younger players. I have moments on the pitch where I get angry, but I am a very calm person and player and I try to enjoy the moment.

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"It's my first European semi-final, so it's my first time too, but I will try to enjoy it to the maximum and I will try to transmit the experiences I have had at other clubs to my younger team-mates.

"Above all, I will tell them to enjoy it. These moments are unique and they pass very quickly, so try to do the best you can. If you are happy and focused, things will turn out well for you."

It has not been easy for Spurs to maintain happiness and focus during a hugely disappointing domestic season. But their Europa League campaign has provided respite. Bentancur insists Ange Postecoglou and his players have shut out the external noise.

"The manager has a very calm personality, like me," he says. "He tries to be very close to us, to get his calmness across to the players and make sure we play the game he wants, which I believe we have done and are doing very well. So, go to their stadium and be aggressive with our pressing, especially high up the pitch.

"It's going to be a new experience, on an artificial pitch, but the manager is calm and we have created a bubble, being united, happy and content and approaching the game in the best possible way."

Spurs are in a strong position to advance to the final after their 3-1 first-leg win in London but Bentancur is eager to stress that even winning the competition would not make them complacent about the need for major improvement domestically.

"It's not been a good season," he says. "That's reflected in our results and in the table. It's not what we wanted. It wasn't the objective at the start of the season." What does he put it down to? "We have had periods with lots of injuries when players have had to play a lot of games consecutively without any alternatives available," he adds.

"Those players did very well, but that's one of the big reasons it has been a difficult season. It doesn't feel good because it makes you think that, individually, you're not giving your best level for the team. But the situations with injuries have influenced a lot of things.

"Our objectives have changed now. With the Europa League to play for, the manager has decided to make a lot of changes for the Premier League games." There were eight of them against West Ham on Sunday, with Bentancur among those rested. "But we know it hasn't been a good season," he continues. "We are very clear on that.

"We know that, if we want to be among the top teams, we have to try to compete in all competitions and be at our best in all of them.

"We also know that we are going to have to change things next season, but we will have time to think about that. Right now, we are very focused on the game on Thursday. You don't play many semi-finals in a football career. We have to give our best to bring happiness to the fans because I believe they deserve it."

Can Spurs do it without Bergvall, Maddison?

Their task has been made harder by season-ending injuries to Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, whose absences leave Bentancur shouldering even more responsibility. Not that he sees it that way as he talks up the quality of their potential replacements in midfield.

"We have players who can play the same role as Lucas, like Bissou [Yves Bissouma] did when he played alongside me in the first leg," says Bentancur. "He had an exceptional game and he was incredible again at the weekend as well.

"Then Kulu [Dejan Kulusevski] has played many times in the role Maddison plays, and I have done it at times as well.

"So, we have players who can do it. Of course, it's a shame they are missing the game because you don't play a European semi-final every year. But we are going to try and win it for them because they have been doing their best for the team all year.

"We feel sad for them, but the group is doing well, very focused, very committed and really looking forward to Thursday. We are taking it very seriously and with the personality you need against a side like Bodo, who have a great team and have shown that throughout their Europa League campaign.

"They showed it here against us as well. They played well. We are going to give them the respect they deserve but we are going to go there to win the game."

Spurs should really be out of sight already after a dominant first-leg showing but Bodo/Glimt's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has given them a lifeline and they also have the advantage of their artificial pitch. Kjetil Knutsen's side have won all but one of their seven Europa League home games this season.

Spurs opted not to train on their own artificial pitches at Hotspur Way in preparation for the game, instead making plans to train on the surface itself after arriving in Norway on Wednesday.

"It's a change, it's different, but these things come up in football," says Bentancur. "It's not like we have never played on artificial pitches before. You lose the habit a bit, but it's normal.

"They have done very well in Europe and in their domestic league. They are very good at home but they have shown it away from home too. So, we won't underestimate them. But we are going to go there to play our game and produce our best performance."

Will they allow themselves to contemplate what might come next, with a place in the final at stake? "When we spoke about objectives at the start of the season, one of them was to win this competition, but I don't want to get ahead of ourselves," says Bentancur.

"Thursday is our biggest game of the season. I believe we deserve to be in the final, us as a team and the fans, so we are going to do everything we can to achieve it."

It is 17 years since Tottenham last claimed silverware but Rodrigo Bentancur knows the feeling well. He reached double figures for trophies with Boca Juniors and Juventus. Now he hopes his experience will help Spurs over the line in the Europa League.

He has certainly played his part so far. A cool head in midfield who brings tenacity as well as composure, Bentancur has been key during their run to the last four. They will need his knowhow again in Thursday's semi-final second leg against Bodo/Glimt.

"We have spoken about age and the number of games played," says the Uruguay international, who, at 27, has already racked up more than 400 senior appearances for club and country.

"More than anything, I try to share my experiences with the younger players. I have moments on the pitch where I get angry, but I am a very calm person and player and I try to enjoy the moment.

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"It's my first European semi-final, so it's my first time too, but I will try to enjoy it to the maximum and I will try to transmit the experiences I have had at other clubs to my younger team-mates.

"Above all, I will tell them to enjoy it. These moments are unique and they pass very quickly, so try to do the best you can. If you are happy and focused, things will turn out well for you."

It has not been easy for Spurs to maintain happiness and focus during a hugely disappointing domestic season. But their Europa League campaign has provided respite. Bentancur insists Ange Postecoglou and his players have shut out the external noise.

"The manager has a very calm personality, like me," he says. "He tries to be very close to us, to get his calmness across to the players and make sure we play the game he wants, which I believe we have done and are doing very well. So, go to their stadium and be aggressive with our pressing, especially high up the pitch.

"It's going to be a new experience, on an artificial pitch, but the manager is calm and we have created a bubble, being united, happy and content and approaching the game in the best possible way."

Spurs are in a strong position to advance to the final after their 3-1 first-leg win in London but Bentancur is eager to stress that even winning the competition would not make them complacent about the need for major improvement domestically.

"It's not been a good season," he says. "That's reflected in our results and in the table. It's not what we wanted. It wasn't the objective at the start of the season." What does he put it down to? "We have had periods with lots of injuries when players have had to play a lot of games consecutively without any alternatives available," he adds.

"Those players did very well, but that's one of the big reasons it has been a difficult season. It doesn't feel good because it makes you think that, individually, you're not giving your best level for the team. But the situations with injuries have influenced a lot of things.

"Our objectives have changed now. With the Europa League to play for, the manager has decided to make a lot of changes for the Premier League games." There were eight of them against West Ham on Sunday, with Bentancur among those rested. "But we know it hasn't been a good season," he continues. "We are very clear on that.

"We know that, if we want to be among the top teams, we have to try to compete in all competitions and be at our best in all of them.

"We also know that we are going to have to change things next season, but we will have time to think about that. Right now, we are very focused on the game on Thursday. You don't play many semi-finals in a football career. We have to give our best to bring happiness to the fans because I believe they deserve it."

Can Spurs do it without Bergvall, Maddison?

Their task has been made harder by season-ending injuries to Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison, whose absences leave Bentancur shouldering even more responsibility. Not that he sees it that way as he talks up the quality of their potential replacements in midfield.

"We have players who can play the same role as Lucas, like Bissou [Yves Bissouma] did when he played alongside me in the first leg," says Bentancur. "He had an exceptional game and he was incredible again at the weekend as well.

"Then Kulu [Dejan Kulusevski] has played many times in the role Maddison plays, and I have done it at times as well.

"So, we have players who can do it. Of course, it's a shame they are missing the game because you don't play a European semi-final every year. But we are going to try and win it for them because they have been doing their best for the team all year.

"We feel sad for them, but the group is doing well, very focused, very committed and really looking forward to Thursday. We are taking it very seriously and with the personality you need against a side like Bodo, who have a great team and have shown that throughout their Europa League campaign.

"They showed it here against us as well. They played well. We are going to give them the respect they deserve but we are going to go there to win the game."

Spurs should really be out of sight already after a dominant first-leg showing but Bodo/Glimt's late goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has given them a lifeline and they also have the advantage of their artificial pitch. Kjetil Knutsen's side have won all but one of their seven Europa League home games this season.

Spurs opted not to train on their own artificial pitches at Hotspur Way in preparation for the game, instead making plans to train on the surface itself after arriving in Norway on Wednesday.

"It's a change, it's different, but these things come up in football," says Bentancur. "It's not like we have never played on artificial pitches before. You lose the habit a bit, but it's normal.

"They have done very well in Europe and in their domestic league. They are very good at home but they have shown it away from home too. So, we won't underestimate them. But we are going to go there to play our game and produce our best performance."

Will they allow themselves to contemplate what might come next, with a place in the final at stake? "When we spoke about objectives at the start of the season, one of them was to win this competition, but I don't want to get ahead of ourselves," says Bentancur.

"Thursday is our biggest game of the season. I believe we deserve to be in the final, us as a team and the fans, so we are going to do everything we can to achieve it."

Tottenham midfielder James Maddison will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Maddison sustained the injury during last Thursday's Europa League semi-final first-leg win over Bodo/Glimt, having scored Tottenham's second goal in the 3-1 victory.

It is a second season-ending injury in a week for Spurs, who also lost midfielder Lucas Bergvall to an ankle injury picked up in training.

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The duo's injuries are a huge blow to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou ahead of Thursday's second leg in Norway, and a potential Europa League final later this month.

Speaking on the eve of Tottenham's game with Bodo/Glimt, Postecoglou confirmed Maddison will not play again this term.

"Madders tweaked his knee in the first leg. He's out, he'll miss the rest of the season," Postecoglou said.

"It's disappointing for him more than anything else, because he has been a big catalyst for us.

"He misses out, but that's been a constant of our season dealing with these things. We'll [just need to] overcome that."

Postecoglou had initially revealed after Sunday's 1-1 draw at West Ham that Maddison's injury looked to be more serious than first thought.

The Australian said at his post-match press conference: "It doesn't look great, but we're just waiting for further information, so we'll just wait and see. We'll probably get some clarity tomorrow [on Monday].

"It's fair to say that it's not looking promising, but I'll just wait and see."

Solanke set to be fit for Bodo/Glimt second leg

There was more encouraging news, though, from Postecoglou on striker Dominic Solanke after Sunday's Premier League draw at West Ham.

The England international limped off in last week's first-leg home win over Bodo/Glimt and was left out of the squad for the 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

But Postecoglou played down the 27-year-old's injury and expects him to feature in this week's second leg in Norway.

The Australian said at his post-match press conference: "Dom's improving.

"We left him out today, but the medical team are pretty confident that he should be alright for Thursday."

If Spurs do get past the Norwegian champions on Thursday, then a potential all-English final against Manchester United awaits them in Bilbao on May 21.

It would give Postecoglou's side the chance to end their 17-year trophy drought and qualify for next season's Champions League.

A two-goal advantage heading into the away second leg of a Europa League knockout tie, Tottenham were in this situation four years ago - and it did not end well.

Jose Mourinho's Spurs let a first-leg 2-0 lead slip against Dinamo Zagreb after a 3-0 extra-time loss in Croatia. The turnaround was even more extraordinary considering Dinamo were managerless, having lost their head coach to a prison sentence between the first and second legs.

Now Bodo/Glimt are aiming to emulate Dinamo's comeback on Thursday, with Tottenham holding a 3-1 first-leg semi-final lead. History, however, is not on the Norwegians' side.

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A two-goal first-leg semi-final deficit has never been overturned since the competition was rebranded as the Europa League in 2009/10.

You have to go back 37 years - when the competition was known as the UEFA Cup - for the last time it happened as Espanyol beat Club Brugge 3-0 at home to win 3-2 on aggregate and reach the 1988 final.

'Artificial pitch is an advantage for us'

But what will give Bodo/Glimt real belief they can become Europa League history-makers is their unique home fortress.

The 8,270-seater Aspymyra Stadion - located above the Arctic Circle - boasts a tricky artificial pitch, freezing temperatures and a cramped atmosphere. It has become an icy graveyard for visiting teams.

Kjetil Knutsen's side have won 28 of their last 34 home games in all European competitions, and are on a five-game winning European home run with their last victory coming against Lazio.

Just hours before facing the Italian giants, the Bodo/Glimt pitch was buried in snow, but a combination of under-soil heating, snow ploughs and hard-working groundstaff saw the game go ahead.

But Lazio wish it had not, as they lost the quarter-final first leg 2-0 - the synthetic surface proving particularly problematic.

"They had speed in their exchanges because of the artificial pitch," Lazio boss Marco Baroni told Sky in Italy.

So how much does the artificial pitch really give the Norwegian champions the upper hand?

"There's no doubt it is an advantage for us," reveals Bodo/Glimt defender Odin Bjortuft, who missed the first leg in north London through injury.

"But at the same time, it's what you're used to. We train on this pitch every day, the same with the team we meet, they train on grass pitches every day.

"They have an advantage on us, and we have an advantage on them. I think it's evened out.

"But of course, playing here at home is a big advantage for us because I don't think a lot of teams are prepared for what's coming.

"We have managed to do this in a successful way. The ball goes really fast here, and that's a key object for us."

Spurs have been here before... at Tamworth

But an artificial pitch is nothing new for Spurs this season. Ange Postecoglou's side played on one four months ago at Non-League Tamworth, although the result was concerning.

Tottenham needed extra time to avoid FA Cup third-round embarrassment at the Lamb Ground as they eventually won 3-0 on the 3G pitch.

That near-disastrous experience could, however, prove vital ahead of their trip to Norway.

Asked what makes Bodo/Glimt's pitch such a difference-maker, Bjortuft explains: "I think it's a combination [of things].

"The ball goes really fast when you play passes, and it's more difficult for defenders reaching attackers and getting contact with us. That's what we benefit from in these games.

"Of course, it's a big difference between artificial and grass in many ways, but the main key is that the ball goes so fast.

"It may be harder to turn and everything for players that are not used to it."

Friendlier temperature awaits Spurs

Lazio, Olympiakos, Porto, Besiktas and FC Twente have all been frozen out at the Aspymyra Stadion this season.

And four years ago, a much-changed Roma were hammered 6-1 there as Mourinho suffered the heaviest defeat of his managerial career, while Postecoglou has already tasted defeat at Bodo/Glimt with Celtic after a 2-0 loss in February 2022.

But the ice-cold conditions contributing to those upsets will not be as harsh for Tottenham's visit.

Besiktas lost at Bodo/Glimt in December with the temperature at minus one, but Thursday's forecast is around seven degrees, making it more tolerable for Spurs.

Asked by Sky Sports about whether Bodo's friendlier weather will hinder their chances, Bjortuft replies: "I look forward to seeing the sun again! I don't mind it really, and I don't think any of us think about that.

"It's been big talk worldwide for newspapers that the weather is such an advantage for us, but I think we can play the same football whether it's snowing or it's sunny, so there's no difference for us."

But if Bjortuft believes the weather is inconsequential, then the atmosphere and tightness of the venue are of real significance.

"It's a smaller stadium than they [Tottenham] are used to. It's really compact," the 26-year-old says. "And it's a city that stays together.

"We are really comfortable playing here, as many home teams are. I think we have a good backing from the town and they are really positive, even if it goes south.

"It's a good feeling for us to have them on our back."

'Tottenham have everything to lose'

Bodo/Glimt will be buoyed by the fact that 60 per cent of their European wins (excluding qualifiers) have been by two or more goals, including the home victories over Lazio (2-0) and Olympiakos (3-0) this season.

Spurs will be desperate to avoid conceding first on Thursday.

"I'm not quite so sure about Tottenham [making the final]. It's down to the first goal," European football expert Kevin Hatchard told Sky Sports News.

"If they get that first goal, with the crowd and that kind of setting - the plastic pitch in the Arctic Circle - then that becomes an enormous test for Tottenham psychologically.

"Tottenham have everything to lose, but Bodo/Glimt don't have anywhere near as much to lose. The pressure's off them to some extent."

Dinamo Zagreb were in Bodo/Glimt's position four years ago and managed to upset the odds. This has the potential to be déjà vu for Spurs.

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