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Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Chelsea: Catarina Macario penalty gives WSL champions victory

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Catarina Macario's first-half penalty was enough to earn Chelsea victory against Tottenham Hotpsur and put the newly crowned Women's Super League champions on the brink of an unbeaten top-flight season.

Sonia Bompastor made nine changes to the Chelsea side that beat Manchester United on Wednesday to secure a sixth straight WSL title, and that showed as the visitors lacked intensity and fluidity in the first half.

Robert Vilahamn's Tottenham repeatedly found space in behind a makeshift Chelsea backline that included wingers Ashley Lawrence and Guro Reiten at full-back and midfielder Sjoeke Nusken at centre-back.

The movement of Spurs captain Bethany England in particular caused issues - on several occasions the former Chelsea striker dropped deep to link up play and spread the ball to wide areas.

But Chelsea grew into the game as the half progressed and capitalised on their first real moment of quality.

Macario showed quick feet to side-step Molly Bartrip just inside the penalty area before she was sandwiched by the Spurs defender and Ashleigh Neville.

The United States attacker sent Lize Kop the wrong way from the spot to break the deadlock, though Spurs should have drawn level soon after.

A lapse in concentration from Lawrence allowed Charli Grant to jump the Chelsea offside trap, but the Australia midfielder fired straight at Hannah Hampton when bearing down on goal.

Chelsea looked more energised after the break, though Eveliina Summanen - back in the Spurs line-up following suspension - had Chelsea hearts in mouths with a free-kick that had Hampton scrambling as it flew narrowly wide of the post.

Maika Hamano forced Kop into a fine fingertip save with a long-range strike, before the Japan forward spooned an effort over the crossbar after being played in by Macario.

Kop produced a fine double stop late on to first deny Lawrence, then Nusken on the rebound.

Bompastor introduced regulars Nathalie Bjorn, Naomi Girma and Wieke Kaptein as Chelsea came away a one-goal winning margin for the ninth time this season.

If they avoid defeat against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Chelsea will become the first team to go unbeaten in a 22-game WSL campaign.

Tottenham have now gone nine games without a win and are on track to finish 10th, their lowest WSL finish.

It felt like the odds were always stacked against Tottenham, who had lost all 10 of their previous WSL meetings with Chelsea.

During his Friday press conference manager Vilahamn spoke of his disappointment at how the season has gone, admitting that they only have themselves to blame.

Despite facing a patchwork Chelsea defence, poor finishing and decision-making inside the penalty area once again cost Spurs.

The hosts' only shot on target came from Grant, who had plenty of time to pick her spot but shot straight at Hampton.

Positives can be taken from some of their build-up play, but ultimately Spurs idd not make their first-half dominance count.

With five wins from 21 games, it has been a season to forget.

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WSL LIVE: Liverpool vs Everton & Man Utd vs Man City plus Crystal Palace vs Leicester City, Tottenham vs Chelsea & West Ham vs Aston Villa

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Crystal Palace 0-0 Leicester

First shot in anger for the visitors and it's Hlin Eiriksdottir who slams it into the side netting.

Should be hitting it across goal there.

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Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea

Bethany England looks on it today. She's kickstarting plenty of Spurs attacks and the only reason she doesn't find a way through there is because of a shirt pull by Oriane Jean-Francois.

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Crystal Palace 0-0 Leicester

It's slack from Leicester at the back and they lay it on a plate for Molly-Mae Sharpe to have a go from the edge of the box.

Her shot is scuffed and trickles into the hands of Janina Leitzig in the Foxes goal.

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Birmingham City 0-0 London City Lionesses

An even start to the Championship decider, but Birmingham come closest to a breakthrough when Simone Magill cuts the ball back with the keeper onrushing and committed.

Former Brighton forward Lee Geum-min seems certain to tuck home, but gets crowded out and the ball squirms wide.

Reminder that Birmingham need to wn this match, Lionesses require a draw.

'Let-off for Chelsea'

Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea

Rachel Brown-Finnis

Ex-England goalkeeper on BBC Two

That's a let-off for Chelsea.

That early ball to the near post is on and Beth England executes it beautifully.

Any touch from Charli Grant and that would've been goal bound.

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Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea

What a ball that was from Bethany England.

It's just an inch or two in front of Charlotte Grant, who is on the stretch and can't poke it around Hannah Hampton.

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Crystal Palace 0-0 Leicester

Another corner for Palace comes to nothing.

They've been the better of the two sides so far and they'll want to end their season on as much of a high as they can, despite already being relegated.

'We want to stay unbeaten for sure'

Tottenham v Chelsea (14:15 BST)

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor, speaking on BBC Two about winning the league on Wednesday: "I was probably not expecting Arsenal to drop points before the game but that's a really nice feeling and great achievement for sure.

"I said from the beginning of the season, our DNA , our mentality is to step on the pitch every game to win and the game today is no different. We want to come here, have a good performance and get the three points. We want to stay unbeaten for sure and stay on top."

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Premier League LIVE: Brentford v Manchester United, Brighton vs Newcastle United & West Ham vs Tottenham - lie text, scores and updates

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'Man Utd is my family'

Brentford v Man Utd (14:00 BST)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking to BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone about his former club Manchester United.

"Manchester United is my family and will always be part of me," says Solskjaer, now managing Besiktas in Turkey.

"In football, you don't feel sorry for anyone because we are privileged, absolutely 100% privileged to be able to work in clubs like this.

"But for me, it is hard to watch because it is your family that is struggling. It is never easy at the weekend when you look at the table."

Read more here.

'I felt privileged to be there'

Chelsea v Liverpool (16:30 BST)

Ian Dennis

BBC Radio 5 Live senior football reporter on The Commentators' View podcast

I have to say, Anfield was very, very special.

The last time they won the title in front of supporters was 12,783 days ago.

The atmosphere was very, very special. Being at Anfield was probably up there with other memorable games, such as Dortmund in 2016 and Barcelona in 2019.

I felt privileged to be there with all of the supporters.

I deliberately didn't talk over You'll Never Walk Alone before the game. I said to the engineer: "We're not going to talk here - we'll let the atmosphere speak for itself."

There are certain occasions when the magnitude of the game speaks for itself and you make that decision.

Bees 'dreaming' for European football

Brentford v Man Utd (14:00 BST)

Brentford

Brentford's centre-back Sepp van den Berg, speaking to Sky Sports: "We're in a good flow and we're playing some food football."

On European hopes: "It's still a long way, but we're close.

"I think it is possible and we keep dreaming. Hopefully, we can make it happen."

On Manchester United: "It is still Manchester United - one of the biggest teams in the world. We know what we have to do - we have to work hard."

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Get Involved: Who is to blame at West Ham?

#bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

Richard: I find it hugely frustrating that clubs like Fulham, Brighton, Bournemouth and Forest have found a way to progress while West Ham have gone backwards. A transition from Lopetegui to Potter will take time for sure but I worry that some players don't really care, they just move on somewhere else. We need a good season in 2025-26 and a bit of fresh blood or I really can see a relegation on the horizon. It is time for brave management and leadership with another overhaul of the playing squad.

A first European trophy since 1984?

West Ham v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

Tottenham Hotspur

One win in eight Premier League matches, 90 minutes away from the Europa League final. Tottenham's Premier League season has been a write-off but will they end it by landing a first European trophy since 1984?

Domestically Tottenham are facing their worst season since 1976–77, sitting in 16th place on little over a point per game.

There is a good chance Australian Postecoglou will lose his job whatever happens in Europe now, such has been their debacle at home, but finishing on a trophy would be some way to go.

'We need to focus our young players'

Brentford v Man Utd (14:00 BST)

Manchester United

Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim, speaking to Sky Sports about his squad's rotation: "It is really hard because we want to improve in the table. In this moment I think everyone can understand our choice."

On Chido Ob's first start in the Premier League: "We need to focus a lot on our young players. For me, it is not a massive game for Chido. I know it's important for Chido, but I don't want a lot of pressure on Chido.

"He played really well in the minutes against Wolverhampton. I feel he is ready to cope with the demands of the Premier League."

Will Brentford hang on to Frank?

Brentford v Man Utd (14:00 BST)

Brentford

Brentford were seventh in the Championship when Thomas Frank was appointed head coach in October 2018.

This is the Dane's sixth full season in charge and he has secured the Bees a fourth successive campaign in the Premier League.

Further more, Brentford are in the conversation for a place in the Europe after Premier League doubles over Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Leicester.

They had a 4-2 statement home win over Newcastle and head into today's game following back-to-back wins over Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Will Frank, who has been linked with Tottenham, still be Brentford boss in August - or will he be headhunted this summer?

'Europa League is main focus'

Brentford v Man Utd (14:00 BST)

Manchester United

Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, speaking to Sky Sports: "We got a very good away result [against Athletic Bilbao]. It is important for us to be in that final.

"The Premier League is also important, but it is a difficult moment.

"At this point the Europa League semi-final and then the final is the main focus, but a club like Manchester United you have to try win every game."

On Brentford: "We know it will be a strong team - they have good goalscorers upfront. We will try to do our best."

Team news - Spurs make eight changes; Fullkrug returns for Hammers

West Ham v Tottenham (14:00 BST)

West Ham manager Graham Potter makes two changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Brighton in their previous league outing.

Niclas Fullkrug and Aaron Cresswell come in to the starting line-up as Dinos Mavropanos and James Ward-Prowse drop to the bench.

West Ham XI: Areola, Cresswell, Todibo, Kilman, Soucek, Wan-Bissaka, Emerson, Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta, Fullkrug.

Subs: Fabianski, Soler, Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Mavrapanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Ferguson.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou makes eight changes from the Europa League semi-final first-leg win over Bodo/Glimt.

Only Guglielmo Vicario, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison keep their places from the midweek with Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert expected to provide support for Richarlison up front.

Tottenham XI: Vicario, Danso, Tel, Gray, Kulusevski, Spence, Odobert, Sarr, Davies, Bissouma, Richarlison.

Subs: Kinsky, Udogie, Romero, Johnson, Porro, Bentancur, Van de Ven, Moore, Ajayi.

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Ange Postecoglou bemoans 'negative narrative' around Spurs

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has bemoaned the "negative narrative" around the club despite their success in the Europa League.

On Thursday, Spurs defeated Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final, but in the Premier League they sit 16th having lost 19 of their 34 games.

Tottenham's struggles this season have heaped pressure on Postecoglou and sparked protests against club chairman Daniel Levy.

"I've said before, the narrative around the club is not positive at all," Postecoglou said before his side's league trip to West Ham on Sunday (14:00 BST).

"Whether you follow the club or not, there's always some sort of negative connotations to everything that happens at the club, but that's existed for a very long time - you need to break through that."

Postecoglou felt the atmosphere inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium became nervous and tense after Bodo/Glimt pulled a goal back in the 84th minute, but believes his players will stay positive as they try to win silverware for the first time since 2008.

"Tottenham supporters have had some real near misses for a long time, so there's always this safeguard of not getting too excited about what's happening, but part of creating a winning culture is not to fall into that trap," he said.

"Winners don't think about things in that way. They don't think about what could possibly go wrong. They have a real clarity around what they need to do to win and I'm trying to create that with this group of players.

"If you expect something to go wrong, it will. So you try to rail against that, but how you do that is just a clear-eyed focus on what's important."

This is not the first time the Australian manager has commented on the culture at the club - last month he said that someone inside Spurs is leaking injury news.

Postecoglou confirmed that Lucas Bergvall will likely miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury, while James Maddison will have a scan after injuring his knee on Thursday.

Dominic Solanke picked up a thigh injury against the Norwegian side and is a doubt to face West Ham on Sunday.

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Man Utd, Spurs and Chelsea target European finals - updates & latest

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Tottenham squad awoken with a bang

Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter in Bodo

The Tottenham squad were disturbed by Bodo/Glimt ultras letting off fireworks outside their hotel last night.

It is something the fans have done before to help their team ahead of big games.

"It's nothing new, we do it, we give the away side a little ‘awake night’. It's a little part of it. I wasn't behind it but I salute it!" said Bodo/Glimt Supporters' Club chairman Thomas Solberg.

Fellow fan Morten Moe, who has travelled home from Oslo for the game, also expects a big night this evening – if Bodo pull off a comeback.

"All the restaurants have gone to the papers and said if they win they will stay open until 3am. It will be total mayhem in the city," said Moe.

"There will be a lot of parties. I feel the buzz in the city, you can feel it anywhere.

“I live in Oslo and I've come back to my hometown and I'm staying with a friend eight kilometres outside the city, all the yellow flags were through the street. I have a feeling something special is going to happen.”

'It is the biggest day in Bodo/Glimt history'

Bodo Glimt v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter in Bodo

Bodo/Glimt Supporters' Club chairman Thomas Solberg has labelled their Europa League semi-final second leg showdown with Tottenham as the biggest day in the club's history.

The hosts are looking to recover from their 3-1 first leg defeat in London last week.

They have already beaten Braga, Porto, Twente and Lazio in this season's competition to reach their first ever European semi-final.

"It's the biggest day for Bodo/Glimt in its history. It should be a day for the history books," Solberg told BBC Sport in Norway.

"I hope they (Tottenham) think they are in the final, I don't think they know what they are facing. The artificial, surface, the weather - it's going to rain - I think they are going to experience something else.

"Everybody speaks about the surface, the weather, everything. That's all excuses. Bodo/Glimt have the ability to play Tottenham out of the tournament."

Vicario 'not impressed' by Bodo/Glimt artificial pitch

Bodo/Glimt v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Guglielmo Vicario is "not impressed" by the artificial pitch facing Tottenham at Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night but says it is "not an excuse".

"We knew about it before coming in," Vicario said. "Many teams have played here so nothing has worried us about the surface.

"You cannot change the condition of the pitch - it is just about how quickly you adapt. I don't have a lot of experience on [artificial surfaces] but it's fine. We will be ready."

The Tottenham goalkeeper emphasised Spurs will not be content to sit on their two-goal lead but will instead attempt to make sure of progress to the final by winning the game outright.

"We need to focus on our strengths and try to win the game," he said. "We cannot sit back and hope for mistakes. We have to attack and play our way.

"We are really committed to what we have to do and know our way of football. We have to play with a high tempo and high intensity like in the first leg.

"Then we will see."

'There are no blizzards rolling into Bodo'

Bodo Glimt v Tottenham (20:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter in Bodo

Is the weather in Bodo that much different to what Tottenham would have experienced during a stereotypical wet winter night at Stoke?

Not really. Sorry to disappoint but there are no blizzards rolling into Bodo, which is 75 miles inside the Arctic Circle.

There's snow on the mountains in the distance and the temperature has dropped a little from Tuesday but a jumper and a light coat keeps any chills away. Right now it's around eight degrees, only dropping to seven tonight.

Rain is forecast for this evening and that could change the dynamic further as Bodo/Glimt's artificial pitch should become faster. It will be something the hosts are used to and will be another factor for Tottenham to overcome.

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Bodø / Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur: UEFA Europa League stats & head-to-head

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In the history of the UEFA Europa League since its rebrand ahead of the 2009-10 season, there have been 92 instances of a side winning the first leg of a knockout match on home soil by a 2+ goal margin, of which only nine have failed to progress in the overall tie. All eight prior semi-finalists to achieve the feat have progressed to the final.

Across their major European history, Bodø/Glimt have lost all four of their matches against English opposition, including their only one on home soil vs Arsenal in October 2022 (0-1). Each of the other three defeats have seen the Norwegian side concede exactly three goals.

With their 3-1 first leg victory, Tottenham made it five wins out of five against Norwegian opposition in major European competition. They’ve never faced sides from a specific country more often whilst keeping a 100% win-rate in the process.

Bodø/Glimt have lost seven of their last 12 knockout matches in European competition (W3 D2), although all three victories during that time for the Norwegian side have come on home soil, including a 2-0 victory over Lazio at the quarter final stage.

Tottenham won their last away UEFA Europa League game 1-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt, but haven’t won back-to-back away matches in major European competition since November 2013 (3 in the Europa League), and last did so in knockout stages in March 2008 (2 in the UEFA Cup).

Including qualifiers, Bodø/Glimt have won nine of their last ten home European outings (L1), scoring 2+ goals in all but one of those matches – a 2-1 defeat to Qarabag during this season’s UEFA Europa League group stage.

Tottenham recorded their eighth win in the UEFA Europa League this season in the first leg; they’ve never won nine matches in the same campaign across major European competition before.

No side in the UEFA Europa League this season has netted more goals on home soil than Bodø/Glimt (19). Since the 2009-10 campaign in this competition, only Bayer Leverkusen have struck more home goals in a single season than the Norwegian outfit (21 in 2023-24).

Kasper Høgh has netted seven goals in the UEFA Europa League for Bodø/Glimt this season, the joint-most of any player, alongside Olympiakos’ Ayoub El Kaabi and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. His 50% shot conversion rate is the joint-highest of any player to score 3+ goals this season, whilst across the competition’s history, only James Tavernier in 2021-22 has netted as many goals in a campaign whilst holding a higher conversion rate (7 goals – 53.8%).

Dominic Solanke has recorded eight goal contributions in the UEFA Europa League this season (4 goals, 4 assists), the most by a Spurs player in major European competition since Carlos Vinícius during the 2020-21 campaign in this competition (9 – 6 goals, 3 assists).

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Europa League & Conference League LIVE: Man Utd, Tottenham & Chelsea - scores, radio & updates

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'Man Utd have no control'

Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Man Utd

Rob Schofield

BBC Radio 5 Live football reporter at San Mames

Familiar story for Manchester United, the wing-backs Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui want to get high but when they do, the back-three are so exposed. Casemiro and Victor Lindelof have both been caught slow on the turn with red and white shirts flying at them.

The Williams brothers, Inaki on the left and Nico on the right, are so direct as the duel lightning rods for this Athletic Bilbao team.

United need to get Bruno Fernandes into the game. They have no control and are having to be purely reactionary.

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Athletic Bilbao 0-0 Man Utd

A good opportunity for the Premier League club after they are awarded a free-kick in a decent position deep inside Athletic Bilbao's half.

The delivery is from Bruno Fernandes but it's comfortably dealt with.

United are working hard but they're creating very little.

'Spurs can be exposed out wide'

Tottenham 1-0 Bodo/Glimt

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

When Bodo/Glimt get the ball Spurs are still staying in their 4-2-3-1 and they really can be exposed out wide.

Jens Hauge in midfield has just started to recognise that and is pulling off the back of Destiny Udogie and starting to get in some good areas.

Chelsea overcoming difficult conditions early on

Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea

Nizaar Kinsella

BBC Sport football news reporter

It might seem harsh to say but the conditions probably are a bigger challenge to Chelsea than the opponents.

If Djurgarden were to beat Chelsea, this would have been one of Europe's great upsets but the poor artificial pitch and the loud atmosphere in Stockholm make this game harder than it otherwise might be.

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Tottenham 1-0 Bodo/Glimt

Bodo/Glimt make a first foray into the Spurs half but the attack is cut out and the hosts can get on the break.

A bit of sloppy play in the middle of the park gifts the ball back to the visitors.

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Djurgarden 0-1 Chelsea

Jadon Sancho plays a lovely ball across the box in to the path of Tyrique George but his shot from a tight angle goes wide.

Marc Cucurella picks up the ball and has a shot but his effort goes narrowly wide of the post.

Chelsea have settled into the game now and are starting to take control.

'Bodo/Glimt sorting themselves out'

Tottenham 1-0 Bodo/Glimt

Rob Green

Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Bodo/Glimt are just about sorting themselves out off the ball. I think they have worked out that if they let Rodrigo Bentancur have the ball they will be in less peril than if other players have it.

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Bodo/Glimt: Norwegian side aiming to upset Ange Postecoglou again

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Such is the disparity between Bodo/Glimt and Tottenham that the entire 55,000 population of the Norwegian team's town could fit inside the Premier League side's stadium.

But the two sides meet as equals on Thursday looking to take a closer step towards the Europa League final.

With supporters famed for carrying giant yellow toothbrushes to games, Bodo/Glimt have swept aside bigger teams throughout Europe to join Spurs, Manchester United and Athletic Club in the last four.

They are the first Norwegian side to reach a men's semi-final in a European competition, while they have won eight of their last 10 two-legged ties.

It is an impressive achievement for a team who, less than a decade ago, were just happy to be out of the Norwegian second division.

And Bodo/Glimt will back themselves to continue making more history given their record as giant-killers, coupled with having a manager who has got the better of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou before.

Of the four teams left in the Europa League's last four, Bodo/Glimt are lesser known and, arguably, the more intriguing.

Based in the small fishing town of Bodo, 200km north of the Arctic Circle, the nearest city is a 10-hour drive away. Incredibly isolated, their remote location has arguably helped forge a community bond between the residents.

The team's players can often be seen out for walks with their family or eating in the local restaurants.

"It is like they are a big family," Chris Shaul, who has followed the team since moving from England to Bodo around eight years ago, told BBC World Service.

"They are friends. A lot of the players have grown up here and they go and socialise together."

As has often been the case with underdogs, a strong bond between the team and their fans can go a long way to producing results on the pitch - and Bodo/Glimt have certainly done that in recent years.

Jose Mourinho will no doubt still have nightmares of the time Bodo/Glimt handed him the joint-biggest defeat of his distinguished managerial career when his then-Roma side lost 6-1 in Norway four years ago in a Europa Conference League tie.

It was the first time a Mourinho side had conceded six or more goals in a single game - in what was the 1,008th match of his coaching career - and matched a 5-0 loss to Barcelona while in charge of Real Madrid.

This season, too, Bodo/Glimt have produced some eye-catching results, seeing off Porto, Twente, Olympiakos and Lazio on their way to the semi-finals.

Having not been allowed to gain promotion to Norway's top division until 1972 alongside other northern-based teams due to existing rules, Bodo/Glimt reached the top flight in 1976.

But their story really gathered pace 15 years ago when the club almost went bankrupt.

"Economically we were a mess for years before this success," recalled Thomas Solberg, of the Bodo/Glimt supporters group.

"We were bankrupt in 2010, but the club was saved. We were then an up-and-down club between the second division and the top flight, but in 2017 we hired our current manager."

That key appointment was Kjetil Knutsen, a Bergen-born coach who had enjoyed modest success previously with smaller clubs in Norway.

He initially arrived as assistant to Aasmund Bjorkan, before replacing him the following year. Initially it did not look like being a successful appointment.

"They were thinking about sacking Knutsen but they didn't have the money to do it," Norway international and former Blackburn Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen told BBC Sport.

"So they stuck with him instead and they started liking his ideas. They got the momentum, things started to roll and they got results."

Knutsen's ideas involved creating an identity-based, intense possession-based game with purpose.

"Dominating doesn't just mean scoring but also having the possession of the ball and dictating the rules of the game," said the 56-year-old previously.

"We want to create a team identity that encompasses everyone; players, staff, managers, fans. We must confront ourselves to be able to create this 'Bodo model'."

Part of that 'Bodo model' was to also change the mentality of the players.

They had been used to being a team that would bounce around the top two divisions without enjoying any real success. But around the time Knutsen was appointed, the club also brought in Bjorn Mannsverk.

A former fighter pilot, he became a performance and mentality coach. Mannsverk had been a Royal Norwegian Air Force squadron leader with deployments to Afghanistan and Libya, meaning he had plenty of experience of developing mental resilience.

Midfielder Ulrik Saltnes, who has been a part of Bodo/Glimt's transformation since the beginning, used to suffer stomach problems and considered retiring, while vice-captain Patrick Berg was ready to leave a club his grandfather, father and two uncles played for.

Both found their mentality transformed by working with Mannsverk.

Saltnes, who previously described their style of play as "kamikaze", said: "I don't think it would be possible to play like that without Bjorn and the mental work we do."

Rather than trudging off individually after conceding goals like before, Bodo/Glimt's players would gather in a huddle. It was what Mannsverk called the "Bodo/Glimt Ring", to discuss what happened and maintain their composure and togetherness.

With Mannsverk's work on mentality and Knutsen's coaching methods, Bodo/Glimt became a team transformed.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 2018 they would go on to win their domestic league title in 2020 for the first time, before triumphing again in three of the next four seasons.

Those championship successes also earned them a place in Europe, where their hope was not to be just happy to be there, but to actually compete.

In 2022 they took part in the Europa Conference League, where they faced a Celtic side managed by current Spurs boss Postecoglou.

Not only did Bodo/Glimt shock the Scottish giants in their knockout round play-off tie, but thumped them 5-1 on aggregate, winning the first leg 3-1 and the second 2-0 to reach the last 16.

"Knutsen plays attacking football," added Pedersen. "They like to press high, and play similar to Tottenham.

"Knutsen demands a lot from the players, a very nice guy, but the group is very strong.

"They are a very fit team and very well trained. They know what they have to do and Tottenham are going to have a very hard game."

Having been humbled by Bodo/Glimt before, Postecoglou said Spurs will not take them lightly.

"The are a good football team," said the Australian. "It doesn't matter where you come from. I come from the other side of the world where football is the fourth sport, so I don't underestimate anyone.

"You say they are a small club and we are big club, it doesn't matter. We are two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition and they have earned the right to be there.

"They have done very well to get there and we are going to treat them with the respect they deserve."

Bodo/Glimt will be hoping to repeat history by condemning Postecoglou to another home defeat in Europe.

However, they will want to return to Norway still in the tie, knowing they could use the conditions on home soil to their advantage.

Their northerly location means opposition teams can face wind and snow conditions as well as a talented, determined side.

"I don't think we are the most sexy team to meet," Bodo/Glimt defender Jostein Gundersen told BBC World Service.

"We don't have the biggest stadium, it is cold and windy and we have the artificial grass.

"It is not a problem for us if it is a little snowy and cold, but hopefully it can scare the opposition a bit."

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Tottenham v Bodo/Glimt: Fans confident for Europa League semi-final

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'Spurs are afraid and they should be' - Bodo/Glimt fans confident - BBC
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'Spurs are afraid and they should be' - Bodo/Glimt fans confident

'Spurs are afraid and they should be' - Bodo/Glimt fans confident

BBC Sport travels north of the Arctic Circle to see how Bodo/Glimt and their supporters are reacting to what could be a historic season for the Norwegian club.

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Tottenham: James Maddison says Spurs are '100%' behind Ange Postecoglou

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Tottenham: James Maddison says Spurs are '100%' behind Ange Postecoglou - BBC
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James Maddison says Tottenham's squad are "100%" behind manager Ange Postecoglou and can still turn their season into "something very special".

Spurs are 16th in the Premier League table after a dismal domestic campaign and pressure is mounting on Postecoglou despite their contrasting fortunes in Europe.

The North London club, who have not won a trophy in 17 years, host Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

Attacking midfielder Maddison, 28, acknowledges the club's disappointing season but says the narrative surrounding the manager is "not healthy".

"We are behind the manager 100%," said Maddison. "I think he's a great man. We have had a poor season, especially in the league. We've been very good in Europe, but the league season has been unacceptable.

"He's my manager, he's my gaffer and I respect him an awful amount. The narrative [of Postecoglou's job being under threat] is something we players are trying to keep away from because it's not healthy.

"I just know that I come into work every day and see the lads listening and taking on the messages on how he wants us to play and doing the best for this club and we are in a real good position in Europe, where we can still have a special season under his management.

"I will continue to do that until the day he isn't here."

Spurs will be without captain Son Heung-min, who is unavailable with a foot injury, against Bodo/Glimt but Maddison says the club are going to "relish the challenge" of reaching a first European final since they were beaten by Liverpool in the 2019 Champions League showpiece.

"It's huge," the England midfielder added.

"When you get to the end of your career and you look back, there's not many times a player has been in European semi-finals. Maybe once or twice if you are lucky.

"We need to use that. We are in the final four in a massive competition in Europe and use that to have a great tie on Thursday and in Bodo as well.

"We've got a real special opportunity. There's obviously been a lot of talk about form and being a poor season, but we have the opportunity to do something very special.

"We've earned it and we deserve to be here. It is a challenge we are going to relish."

Bodo/Glimt reached the semi-finals with victory over Lazio on penalties in the last round and Postecoglou has dismissed his side's tag as favourites.

"Bodo are there on merit," said the Australian manager.

"They are there because they are a good football team. It doesn't matter where you come from. I come from the other side of the world where football is the fourth sport, so I don't underestimate anyone.

"You say they are a small club and we are big club, it doesn't matter. We are two clubs in the semi-final of a European competition and they have earned the right to be there.

"They have done very well to get there and we are going to treat them with the respect they deserve. At the same time, make sure we go in there and give it our best performance."

The 59-year-old also says Tottenham's success in Europe is being "diminished" by some people amid the backdrop of their league form.

He added: "I am really strong at the moment on the parallel worlds we are trying to traverse and I have sensed, which is not surprising because this is the way this club is perceived, people are almost trying to diminish it in some respects.

"I have seen some people saying it is the equivalent of Manchester United winning the FA Cup, no. Not on any planet is it equivalent. That is suggesting that maybe we are not worthy of Champions League.

"Things are there that are designed to diminish what is ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity. Irrespective of how this season has gone, we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else - to share this with the people that they love, a special moment supporting their football club.

"We could be flying in the league, but it wouldn't make this opportunity any different. The opportunity is the same and I have made that clear to the players."

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