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David Bentley had nothing but praise for Tottenham Hotspur after their composed display against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League – now he wants them to go one step further and beat Manchester United in the final.

Tottenham Hotspur put in a professional performance against Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final tie, beating the Eliteserien side 2-0.

It finished 5-1 on aggregate, a scoreline that told the full story of Tottenham’s dominance across both legs.

Heading into the second leg, Bodo/Glimt had maintained a perfect record at home in the knockout stage of the Europa League, but Tottenham ended that run with a composed win at the Aspmyra Stadion, effectively bringing the Norwegian side’s European journey to a halt.

Now, an all-English final awaits. Manchester United beat Spanish side Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford, and 7-1 on aggregate, setting up an intriguing clash with Tottenham at San Mames.

David Bentley praises Tottenham performance

Both clubs may be struggling for form in the Premier League, with Manchester United and Tottenham sitting 15th and 16th respectively, and neither side escaping criticism.

But following Spurs‘ latest triumph, TNT Sports pundit David Bentley had high praise for the north London side.

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The former Tottenham midfielder admitted he felt slightly nervous ahead of the match given Tottenham’s up-and-down season, but quickly applauded the team’s effort, branding the display as both outstanding and professional.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Bentley said: “Happy night, I was nervous a little bit before the game, just with the conditions, with the sort of season Tottenham have had, and you just think, ahh please do not.

“But I thought they turned up, they were outstanding. Real professional performance and they have got to a final and it is beautiful, go on and win it and beat Man United, happy days.”

Spurs show confidence despite Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch

Of course, there had been plenty of noise around the artificial turf at Bodo/Glimt’s stadium before kick-off.

The general consensus was that Tottenham might find it difficult to adapt to the unusual surface, but the visitors were impressive from the first whistle right until the final one.

There were a number of standout performers for Tottenham throughout the match, with the team looking solid both in attack and defence.

Tottenham fans are dreaming again as the Europa League final awaits, and they have sent a simple message to the club – “please win it.”

Tottenham Hotspur are going to Spain! The Lilywhites will contest their second European final in six years, a remarkable feat for a side so often labelled nearly men on the continental stage.

How ironic that it happened on May 8 – the same date Lucas Moura gave many Tottenham fans one of their most cherished memories in Amsterdam.

This time, it was not last-minute heroics, but one of the most complete displays of the 2024/25 campaign, sealing a trip to San Mames in Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou and this group of players are edging towards something special. They now stand one win away from ending Tottenham’s 17-year wait for silverware – and this time, it genuinely feels within reach.

Tottenham fans react to European final win over Bodo/Glimt

Spurs fans were in a celebratory mood after watching their side dismantle Bodo/Glimt with a 5-1 aggregate win, sealed by a professional 2-0 display at the Arctic Circle.

A clean sheet and two well-taken goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro comfortably saw off the Norwegian side.

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With a place in the final now booked, supporters flooded social media to share their delight at Tottenham’s latest European achievement, sending a message to the club to get the job done in Spain.

One fan wrote: “Harry Kane won one. Sonny, now it is your turn!” while another posted: “One to go💪.”

Another supporter, clearly pleased by the result, added: “We are winning it.” One more declared: “It is time for our club to win a trophy with this occasion. Viva Tottenham!”

The performances were not overlooked either. “Special shout out to the entire backline tonight. Men against boys. Real captain’s performance from Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro all magnificent. Yves Bissouma with another outstanding game alongside Rodrigo Bentancur since coming back into the side after being frozen out. Great effort.”

And another summed it up perfectly: “All I want to see is Son lift that big, beautiful trophy. #COYS.”

Spurs face Manchester United final in Bilbao

Of course, several Tottenham fans are behind this group of players, hoping to see their bleak 2024/25 campaign end on a high.

Standing in their way, however, is Manchester United – themselves limping through a dire domestic season and currently marooned in the bottom six of the Premier League.

Both sides will be going for it in Bilbao on the 21st of May, and for Tottenham, lifting the trophy would mean beating Manchester United for a fourth time this season. COME ON YOU SPURS!!!

Micky van de Ven has delivered a passionate message to Tottenham supporters following their Europa League semi-final triumph over Bodo/Glimt, urging belief as silverware remains within touching distance.

Given Tottenham Hotspur’s poor form domestically this season, the narrative surrounding their campaign has largely been one of all-or-nothing in the Europa League.

Credit must go to this group of players and Ange Postecoglou, who have battled through each hurdle to earn themselves a place in the Europa League final at San Mames in Spain.

Their latest result saw them brush aside Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt, securing a 2-0 win on the night at the Arctic Circle and a commanding 5-1 victory on aggregate, with Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro getting on the scoresheet.

Micky van de Ven reacts to Tottenham win over Bodo/Glimt

Next up for Spurs in this competition is a mouthwatering all-English final, after Manchester United dismantled Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford, sealing a 7-1 aggregate triumph.

While Tottenham now face a familiar rival in their bid to lift the Europa League trophy, defender Micky van de Ven has taken a moment to send a heartfelt message to the club’s fans, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support.

He has also made it clear that, despite their domestic woes, the squad firmly believes they can still achieve something memorable before the season ends.

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He told TNT Sports: “Unbelievable feeling. What can I say? We had a tough season but we are one game away from winning some silverware.

“We showed some character today, some mentality also. They did not create any chances and then we scored two goals and kept a clean sheet. The artificial grass, it is cold and rainy, we showed great mentality to win 2-0.

“We want to thank them all for their support and let us go to Bilbao. In the league we are not doing well but we can make it something special.”

Spurs eye Europa League glory amid Premier League struggles

Indeed, lifting the Europa League would mean everything to Tottenham, who have not claimed a major trophy since their League Cup triumph in 2008.

Ange Postecoglou mentioned earlier in the campaign that his second seasons tend to deliver silverware, and with Spurs now in a European final, that fact is edging closer to reality.

Tottenham currently sit 16th in the Premier League table, so their only path to next season’s UEFA Champions League runs through Bilbao and the Europa League final.

Their opponents, Manchester United, are not much better off domestically, sitting just one place above Spurs in the standings, which sets up a high-stakes, fiery showdown with a Champions League berth also on the line.

Pedro Porro quietly delivered one of his most complete performances of the season in Tottenham’s Europa League win over Bodo/Glimt, and now the underlying stats are backing it up.

While Tottenham Hotspur have battled with a never-ending injury list throughout the 2024/25 campaign, one man has remained ever-present, ticking along under the radar – Pedro Porro.

The Spanish full-back, at the time of writing, has played more minutes than any other outfield player at the club, clocking up a staggering 3,892 minutes across all competitions.

What makes that number even more impressive is that Porro has not just been a body on the pitch. He has been a reliable contributor, playing his part at both ends of the pitch and stepping up in big moments when Spurs have needed him most.

Pedro Porro shines for Tottenham in Bodo/Glimt win

Against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Pedro Porro produced arguably his finest all-round display in a Tottenham shirt this season – a performance that blended defensive solidity with attacking threat.

The full-back scored Tottenham’s second goal of the night and helped the team secure a clean sheet, but it was the full 90-minute display that earned him plaudits – and rightly so.

According to Fotmob, Porro’s underlying stats showcased exactly why he was Spurs‘ standout performer on the night.

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According to their data, going forward, Porro was a threat for Tottenham, as the full-back created two chances, had two shots on target, played 12 passes into the final third, completed four out of nine crosses and delivered three accurate long balls.

Defensive solidity from Spurs defender Pedro Porro

Defensively, the Spaniard was just as sharp. Porro made one last-man tackle, was not dribbled past once, won three out of four ground duels, made three ball recoveries and five defensive actions, all while maintaining composure throughout the contest – it truly was a man-of-the-match display.

The goal against Bodo/Glimt was his fourth of the season in all competitions – a healthy tally for a full-back, especially one playing in a system that demands both defensive discipline and attacking output.

In terms of overall goal contributions, Porro now has 13 this season – four goals and nine assists – underlining his importance in both domestic and European competitions.

The Spaniard has been instrumental in Tottenham’s Europa League campaign so far, with a crucial assist in the first leg against Bodo/Glimt and an equaliser in their quarter-final tie against Frankfurt.

Tottenham Hotspur had a job to do in Norway on Thursday evening and a 2-0 away win over Bodo/Glimt was more than enough to book a place in the Europa League final.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned from Bodo/Glimt 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham are in the Europa League final

Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Tottenham Hotspur are through to the Europa League final. Shall we write it out a few more times? After enduring arguably the worst Premier League season in the club’s history, Spurs fans are finally being treated, but it is very much a case of all or nothing.

On the one hand, Tottenham could end their 17-year trophy drought, lift a European trophy, book a place in the 2025/26 Champions League, boost their summer transfer funds, and even set up a clash with PSG or Inter Milan in the UEFA Super Cup. On the other hand, if Spurs lose the final, they finish the season with absolutely nothing, heading into the summer with little money to spend, a new manager hunt, no Europe for next season, an 18-plus-year trophy drought, and a tough task to convince new players to join.

Tottenham Hotspur – would you have it any other way?

Bentancur and Bissouma solid in midfield

Tottenham Hotspur’s midfield is peaking at just the right time. We all know that Rodrigo Bentancur was immense during his first year in North London, but he never rediscovered those high levels after his long-term injury. We are now finally seeing the Uruguayan back to his best, controlling games with ease and ticking Tottenham over expertly, even under pressure in the engine room.

Perhaps even more surprising is a return to form for Yves Bissouma. The Mali international has been pretty shocking all season and lost his place in the XI to a teenager who played his football in Sweden last season. However, with injuries to James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall, the former Brighton man has been thrust back into the limelight and has been one of Tottenham’s best players over the two legs against Bodo/Glimt. Of course, Man United in the final will be a very different task, and one Bissouma must rise to.

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Tottenham’s slight worry over Dejan Kulusevski

The one slight worry in midfield comes in the form of Dejan Kulusevski. Maddison and Bergvall have been Tottenham’s main creative forces in the second half of the season. Despite Kulusevski being Spurs’ player of the season in the first six months of the campaign, he has been sleepwalking since his return from injury last month. James Maddison is out injured for the rest of the season, while Lucas Bergvall will also miss the Europa League final through injury. That means Kulusevski is guaranteed to start in the number 10 position and Spurs will rely on his creativity against Man United in the final third.

The Sweden international once again struggled with the pace and physicality a little on Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch. While he got through plenty of hard work, he lacked his usual flair, drive, and creativity on the ball, particularly in the attacking half. The fact that Maddison was just hitting superb form before his injury also leaves Deki with big shoes to fill. That means Tottenham have two weeks to get him into the best physical window possible for the final in Bilbao.

Micky Van de Ven and Romero masterclass

Cristian Romero may want to leave Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but lifting a European trophy would be an incredible way to leave. Missing both Romero and Micky Van de Ven has been the story of Spurs’ season. With them, Ange-ball at least looks possible. Without them, it simply falls apart. This evening, we saw the very best version of both players. Some may dismiss it as ‘only Bodo/Glimt’ but the Norwegian side have scored in every single home game in 2025 so far… until Cristian and Micky came to town.

Romero has always been a player who flits between world-class and a liability – tonight was most certainly the former. He was aggressive in all the best ways without stepping over the line. He was positive with his passing and took no risks with Spurs’ two-goal lead. He even got up to win a header from a corner that set up Tottenham’s all-important opener.

Van de Ven, on the other hand, was superb from start to finish. He used his pace to great effect on the few times Bodo/Glimt got in behind, but it was his positioning in and around the box that impressed us most. What is usually the weakest part of his game was a real strength today and that should be applauded.

Now, one more titanic performance is needed on May 21st!

Spurs’ uninverted full-backs are a weapon

It’s full-time in Norway and the celebrations have begun. Tottenham Hotspur are in the UEFA Europa League final – let’s check out our player ratings.

We rated every single Tottenham player from 1-10 based on their performance in the Europa League semi-final second leg away to Bodø/Glimt.

Tottenham player ratings vs Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League

Guglielmo Vicario – Spurs gifted every travelling supporter a free scarf and hopefully Vicario was offered one because he had little to do during the game, other than the occasional shot on target. 6

Pedro Porro – The Spaniard was Tottenham’s best player in the first half by some distance. He got a well-deserved goal in the second and while it was probably an attempted cross, the result is what matters. The referee claimed he committed a foul in the box at the end of the match, but even Stevie Wonder could see that wasn’t a penalty, and so did VAR. Well played. 9

Cristian Romero – Did his job in all areas of the pitch, getting an assist for Solanke’s goal and defending well. The captain on the night has been criticised for playing as though he wants to leave the club. That hasn’t been the case over these two legs. 8.5

Micky van de Ven – Got an important touch on the ball to deny the hosts a big opportunity early in the second half. The Dutchman’s partnership with Romero is starting to look more like how it was when he first arrived at Spurs. 8

Destiny Udogie – Put in some solid last-ditch defending. Questions have been asked since he retook his spot at left-back from Djed Spence, but he was good tonight. 8.5

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Yves Bissouma – Despite often being slated for his performances, Bissouma had a decent game tonight. He helped Spurs take control of the game in the second half. 8

Rodrigo Bentancur – Like his partner in midfield, Bentancur had a good game. As the Spurs supporters have sometimes sung, he’s the reason we’ll be Champions League next season. He has certainly contributed to getting his team to Bilbao. 8

Dejan Kulusevski – He got the assist for Porro’s goal, although the key aspect in that was the strike itself. Kulusevski looked a bit off the mark for much of the game, but hopefully he can build on his fitness and be back at his best for the final. 6

Brennan Johnson – A passenger during the match, Johnson was taken off as a precautionary sub after going down. 4

Dominic Solanke – Scored Tottenham’s opening goal with a close-range finish. The England international is now the club’s leading goalscorer in the Europa League, having netted five times. 8

Richarlison – Concerns were raised about Richarlison’s positioning when Bodo were on the ball. The Brazilian had a fair few touches, but he never really looked like he was going to cause them any problems. He was taken off after an hour as Postecoglou looked to add some fresh energy to the side. 5

Subs

Mathys Tel – The scoreline soon changed after Tel entered the pitch. He may not have been directly involved in the goals, but he provided some much-needed freshness. 6.5

The referee has blown his whistle to call an end to the first half, meaning only a quarter of this intense Europa League tie remains, and it’s time for our Bodø/Glimt vs Tottenham ratings.

Tottenham Hotspur reached a European final six years ago tonight, thanks to Lucas Moura’s incredible second-half hat-trick against Ajax. Unlike that fixture, Spurs have the advantage tonight. However, on nights like these, anything can happen.

We’ve rated each Tottenham player’s first-half performance on a scale of 1-10.

Tottenham first-half player ratings away to Bodø/Glimt

Guglielmo Vicario – The out-of-form keeper won’t have been complaining about his lack of responsibilities in the first half. He was called into action after half an hour to punch away a free kick. 6.5

Pedro Porro – Took a decent free kick from close range which forced Haikin into a save. He later went on a promising run near the end of the half and wasn’t offered any support, yet he still managed to put in a decent cross. 7.5

Cristian Romero – Tottenham’s captain has kept his passes accurate and hasn’t had any problems at the back. 7

Micky van de Ven – Looks solid whenever he’s called into action. He hasn’t needed to do much though. 6.5

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Destiny Udogie – Fired a ball across goal after 15 minutes which forced the opposition goalkeeper into a diving save. Later on, however, he gave away a free kick in a risky position. 6

Yves Bissouma – There’s not a lot to be said about Bissouma’s performance. He’s been okay. Nothing impressive, but nothing to be concerned by either. He had a half chance at the end of the half, but his shot was poor. 5.5

Rodrigo Bentancur – Sent a good cross to Richarlison early in the game. He made a mistake giving the ball away on the edge of the box by trying to be too clever, but the Uruguayan’s overall performance was acceptable enough. 6

Dejan Kulusevski – The Swede has big boots to fill tonight, as James Maddison was Tottenham’s standout player in the first leg. He hasn’t looked a threat so far. 4

Brennan Johnson – Tottenham’s joint top scorer in the competition has a tendency to either score or go missing. He hasn’t made an impact tonight and hasn’t managed to involve himself in the game.. Well, except for committing a foul which got him booked. 4

Dominic Solanke – Won a free kick on the edge of Bodo/Glimt’s box. As is often the case with Solanke, he hasn’t had a massive impact, but he’s contributed more than some. 6

The Tottenham Hotspur starting eleven which faces Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-final second leg has been announced.

A place in the Europa League final against Manchester United or Atletico Madrid awaits with Tottenham’s 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt last week giving them a firm advantage ahead of the match in Norway.

The victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium came at a cost with James Maddison’s knee injury likely to keep him sidelined for three months.

News of ticket prices and allocation for the Europa League final have already been released by the club with supporters hoping they will be watching their side in Bilbao on Wednesday 21st May, 2025.

Ahead of the potential final, fans will be praying there are no further injuries, considering the match is being played on a plastic pitch in the Arctic Circle.

In the Europa League this season, Porto, Besiktas, FC Twente and Olympiakos are among the teams to have come to Bodo and lost which represents a stark warning to Tottenham to focus on the job in hand.

Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur team selection

Alongside James Maddison, Ange Postecoglou is also without club captain Heung-min Son, while Lucas Bergvall will miss the rest of the season due to an ankle injury.

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Radu Dragusin (knee) is also sidelined, while Sergio Reguilon, Antonin Kinsky and Timo Werner are ineligible in European fixtures.

This is the Tottenham Hotspur side which takes to the field at the Aspmyra Stadion stadium tonight:

BODO/GLIMT: Haikin; Sjovold, Gundersen, Moe, Bjorkan; Saltnes, Berg, Evjen; Hauge, Hogh, Blomberg

TOTTENHAM: Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Richarlison.

Substitutes: Austin, Whiteman, Spence, Davies, Danso, Gray, Sarr, Olusesi, Ajayi, Odobert, Moore, Tel.

There will be a huge sigh of relief at Hotspur Way this week as a big transfer development regarding Real Madrid has significantly boosted Tottenham’s hopes of keeping hold of one of their star defenders.

If reports over the last couple of months are to be believed, it seems a number of Tottenham’s first-team regulars face an uncertain future at the club.

One of these is Pedro Porro, who has been linked with a move away from Spurs this summer, with Manchester City thought to be monitoring the Spaniard.

Perhaps an even bigger threat for Spurs is the interest of Los Blancos, with many outlets reporting that Real Madrid are big fans of Porro.

Tottenham’s chances of hanging onto Pedro Porro boosted

This week, we received official confirmation that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be joining Real Madrid on a free transfer at the end of this season.

According to Diario AS, Porro had been identified as the La Liga giants’ option B this summer if they had been unable to get a deal for the England international over the line.

With Madrid no longer expected to push ahead with a move for the 25-year-old, the decision makers at Spurs will be much more optimistic of hanging onto the right-back.

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Is Man City’s interest in Porro serious?

It has been suggested over recent weeks that Pep Guardiola’s men are considering re-signing Porro, who was formerly of Man City’s academy.

However, it was reported just over a week ago by Football Insider that Daniel Levy will make any negotiations for Porro extremely difficult for Man City.

The update claimed that City are aware that the deal “won’t be easy”, with the North Londoners expected to demand over £50m for the former Sporting Lisbon man’s services.

Dominic Solanke is excited about the young talent at Tottenham Hotspur, naming three Spurs starlets in particular to watch out for over the next few years.

It has been a struggle for Spurs domestically this term, with Tottenham on course to achieve their lowest ever points total in Premier League history.

The squad has been decimated by injuries at different points in the campaign, but the one silver lining to that has been the fact that several young players have got regular opportunities.

The likes of Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall have benefited hugely from being able to get a taste of high-pressure situations, and the experience they have gained will undoubtedly serve them brilliantly over the coming years.

Dominic Solanke names three Spurs youngsters to watch

Unsurprisingly, Gray and Bergvall both got a mention from Solanke, with the England international insisting that the pair have great careers ahead of them.

The 27-year-old also admitted that he is a fan of Mikey Moore, who we have not seen much of since the turn of the year, after showing promise when he first broke into the side.

When asked which starlets fans should look out for, Dominic Solanke said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: “Other than the obvious two, Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, who have been playing quite a bit this season. I think they’ve got huge careers ahead of them.

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“They’ve been really good this season. Someone who hasn’t played as much, Mikey Moore. He’s a really talented boy, very direct and a good winger. So I think he’s got a bright future as well.”

More exciting talent will arrive at Spurs this summer

Tottenham will also be boosted by the arrival of another very highly rated teenager this summer: Luka Vuskovic, who has surpassed all expectations on loan at Westerlo.

Additionally, one would expect Jamie Donley to return from his breakout season at Leyton Orient a much more confident and mature player.

There is no doubt that the current Spurs squad is filled with some of the most talented teenagers in world football, but that talent has to be nurtured properly, which is not always an easy task, given the pressure on the coaching staff to get results.

Hopefully, there will be even more young players for Dominic Solanke to boast about this time next season, and Spurs will be all the better for it.