Football London

Ruben Amorim has welcomed three key Manchester United players back to full team training with their Europa League final against Tottenham just over 24 hours away.

The two Premier League teams, despite enduring horrendous domestic campaigns, will compete for a European trophy at San Mames stadium in Bilbao on Wednesday evening. Preparations for the showpiece encounter were different for both but also oddly similar.

Following a decision by the Premier League, Spurs and United both played away from home on Friday and lost to Aston Villa and Chelsea, respectively. The difference came in the team selected with Amorim going full strength while Ange Postecoglou rotated significantly.

That saw Sergio Reguilon, Mikey Moore and Antonin Kinsky all play with that call made likely following on from Dejan Kulusevski joining Lucas Bergvall and James Maddison on the injury list.

Despite resting most of his favoured starting XI, Pape Matar Sarr still appeared to pick up an injury with the Tottenham boss confirming as such. Pape felt something in his back so we took him off as a bit of a precaution," he said in a press conference.

"I don’t think it’s anything too significant speaking to him afterwards but he just felt something in his back." Sarr has since been pictured in Bilbao after Spurs travelled over on Monday but Maddison, Bergvall and even Radu Dragusin, out with an ACL issue, have also been spotted.

United are yet to fly over with their preparation plans slightly different and that has seen their open training session take place at Carrington on Tuesday. While injury news has been far from positive for Spurs, United look to have been handed three boosts.

Captured in that session and making their returns to full team training were Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro and surprisingly Joshua Zirkzee. The latter had been ruled out for the season with a hamstring injury picked up in the 4-1 defeat to Newcastle United but it seems as though he has made a miraculous recovery.

The one negative was that Matthijs de Ligt was still missing with the problem suffered against Brentford earlier this month clearly still impacting him. Lisandro Martinez will also not feature in the final with the Argentine out for an extended period due to a serious knee injury.

Given the time missed by those three returning stars, it is most likely they are only on the bench if deemed fit enough to feature, especially as United's woes have been eased by Ayden Heaven and Amad returning recently.

Despite all of their injury problems this season, that have hit Tottenham hard and are surfacing again at just the wrong time, Spurs may just have felt they had the upper hand on Manchester United in the build-up to the UEFA Europa League final.

The two Premier League sides, struggling badly domestically this season, go head-to-head in the Spanish city of Bilbao for the first piece of European silverware of the season.

Not only is it a trophy - something Spurs have been yearning for for the past 17 years - but a place in next season's Champions League is also up for grabs for the winner.

Lifting the Europa League trophy would make up for an otherwise disappointing season for both sides. Losing in the final would ensure it was one of the worst campaigns on record.

Tottenham head into the contest without three of their first choice midfielders. James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall have all been ruled out through injury, although there remains faint hope that Bergvall's teenage body may recover in time.

Spurs have taken the entire squad out to Spain for the final, with Bergvall and Maddison both spotted, getting fans excited. But even with those players unavailable there was perhaps a feeling that the Lilywhites had the edge.

Their first-choice back line is available and Son Heung-min has also returned from injury. Whereas Manchester United were sweating over the fitness of key players in their backline - Leny Yoro, Diogo Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt - as well as up front with Joshua Zirkzee nursing a problem.

Tottenham, on the face of it, also appear more in the final zone. The Lilywhites travelled out to Bilbao on Monday afternoon, getting acclimatised and holding open training at San Mames on Tuesday afternoon before Ange Postecoglou's press conference.

United opted to train at Carrington on Tuesday, flying out that afternoon, before Ruben Amorim hosted his press conference in the evening in Bilbao.

But any advantage Spurs may have had has now been wiped out. Open training at Carrington showed Yoro, Dalot and Zirkzee all training. De Ligt was missing, training on his own, but the injury troubles that looked like they were going to beset the Red Devils for the final appear to have cleared up bar one.

Amorim can now name a first-choice backline, with all deemed fully fit, as well as naming his preferred forward in Zirkzee.

Spurs will have a first choice defence and forward line, but the midfield will be something like second string, and that could hand United the edge in San Mames.

Europa League final preparations are well and truly underway, with Tottenham already in Bilbao and set for their final training session in the Spanish city before Wednesday's showpiece event.

Their opponents Manchester United have done things slightly differently, saving their final training session before the big game for back in Manchester, before flying out later on Tuesday.

It's a crucial game for both clubs as they target European glory and a place in the Champions League next season. It's no exaggeration to say that the match will be transformative for each team, regardless of whether they win or lose.

Pressure has built on both managers after poor seasons domestically, though it looks as if Ruben Amorim will be keeping his job after arriving midway through the season and trying to implement a new style of play. Ange Postecoglou, though, has now had two years in north London and his side have gone backwards this season amid a horrendous run of injuries.

While both teams already know a number of players will be missing for the big game, United are left sweating over the fitness of a few key players. With their last training session open to the media, here's what we learned from the event...

Returning players

Ruben Amorim admitted last week that a number of players were working hard to return in time for the game, and it's perhaps no surprise that Diogo Dalot was back with his teammates ahead of the game.

The Portuguese star in particular was singled out for his efforts to get back fit in time for the trip to Bilbao, having played an astonishing amount of football for United in the last two years before picking up an injury against Wolves last month.

However, one star that was perhaps not expected to be present was Joshua Zirkzee. Amorim said back in April that the forward would miss the rest of the season after picking up a hamstring injury just as he seemed to have started making a real positive impact in the team.

But the Dutch international was back with his teammates for the training session at Carrington, which could be a massive boost for Amorim ahead of the final. While Rasmus Hojlund is still expected to start the game in Bilbao, he has been in poor form of late. The chance to have Zirkzee available, even if only off the bench, could help United massively.

Leny Yoro was also in training. The centre-back has had a stop-start first year with United after breaking his foot in pre-season. He seemed to have played himself into some form recently, but injured the same foot against West Ham just 10 days ago.

Whether he will be fit remains to be seen. United also had Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui present in training, so the three centre-back spots could have some decent competition for a starting place.

De Ligt out

While Matthijs de Ligt is one of the stars hoping to make a comeback for the game against Spurs, it seems as though the Dutch centre-back will not be able to start.

The 25-year-old was involved in training, but not with the rest of the squad. Instead, the former Ajax defender - who will have bad memories of Spurs from the Champions League semi-final back in 2019 - was seen undertaking some light sprint work away from the group with a coach.

Garnacho surprise

It wouldn't be a cup final without a dodgy haircut, and Alejandro Garnacho sprang a surprise with a new trim. The Argentine star has elected to bleach his hair platinum blonde before the big game, a style he has gone for before but had ditched in recent months.

Garnacho will be hoping to provide a spark for United in Bilbao, though it's not certain whether he'll start against Ange Postecoglou's side. While there was some rotation for the Premier League clash against Chelsea on Friday, key players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro started at Stamford Bridge, while Garnacho had to settle for a place on the bench as Mason Mount and Amad started in the No.10 roles.

Chido Obi involved

The former Arsenal academy star made the move to Old Trafford last year and spent a fruitful few months with United's academy. Still only 17-years-old, the striker has been drafted into the first team and actually made his professional debut against Tottenham in the 1-0 defeat in north London back in February.

He's gone on to make six Premier League appearances for the club, one of which was a start against Brentford which earned him the record of the youngest Manchester United player to start a league game in the club's history.

However, the young striker will definitely not be taking part in Bilbao as he was not one of the three changes Amorim made to his side between the league phase and the knockout phase because he was not considered as part of the senior squad at the time.

It's not what you need just days ahead of a European final, your top scorer left crumpled on the floor and limping heavily after an accident in training.

In keeping with Tottenham's season that's exactly what happened to Brennan Johnson last week on the pitches at Hotspur Way. During a small-sided passing game, Sergio Reguilon rushed towards the Wales international to offer himself as an option for a pass only to slip on the grass.

The Spaniard tumbled into Johnson, catching him painfully on the foot and the 23-year-old was left on the floor in plenty of pain. Reguilon was teased by the other players, one shouting 'red card Reggy' but it was no laughing matter initially for Johnson, who was limping heavily for a few minutes, constantly reaching for his foot.

He eventually got back into the session and shook it off before football.london caught up with him shortly after training had come to a close and asked him about a moment that even Ange Postecoglou had referred to in his press conference.

"No problems…it was a bit sore at the time but no worries there," said Johnson, looking down at his foot. The Spurs man has the numbers 40-20 tattooed on his leg, the former his first shirt number at Nottingham Forest and the latter his one at Lincoln, where he went on loan.

So with the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao almost upon us, is there any worry in training sessions of an injury that might rule players out of such a huge game in their careers?

"No. I feel like when you start thinking about that … in my head, it feels like it can happen. So no. It’s about training strong, still being aggressive. Obviously, to a degree. Yeah, doing everything right because we don’t want to take it easy," he said.

The Johnson family has football pedigree with Brennan's father David a renowned striker at the top level, having played for Forest and Ipswich and coming through at United..

"Just a normal relationship," Johnson said of his football chats with his father." Always advice that’s been given but nothing crazy. My dad obviously speaks to me a lot, or we speak a lot before games, after games. I’m sure it won’t be anything too much just for the final. Just wishing me good luck and that’s it.

"I think he obviously liked Manchester United because he grew up round that area and played for them but definitely not now! He’s on Spurs’ side!"

Johnson Jr has been Tottenham's star man in front of goal this season with 17 goals to his name thanks to plenty of clinical finishes from the right flank, whether timing a run perfectly to the back post or latching on to balls through the middle. The Wales international puts it all down to one thing.

"Hard work, I think. It’s easy when things aren’t going well to come up with excuses but for me it was just about trying to nail down the stuff that I could do. Put myself in a position to score," he said. "So, a lot of work, a bit of luck when you get into those positions but just trying to train as hard as I can and be in the position.

"It’s just knowing who I am playing with, knowing the type of crosses I am going to get. Almost studying other players in the team, seeing what they like to do, what type of crosses and trying to be in the right position because I feel like previously I wasn’t, so this season I made it clear that I had to be in the right positions to try and score."

Johnson explained that his free scoring and his positional play is something Postecoglou makes it clear he must provide to the team.

"It's a demand that he puts on us to be at the back post. I think last season there were a few instances where I wasn’t in the right position and he gets frustrated because people think it’s a tap in but if you’re not there then it goes out for a throw-in so he’s made it clear that he wants us to be at the back post," he said. "It seems an easy goal but it’s all about being there and being in the position to arrive."

Johnson netted such a goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford this season, following a surging Micky van de Ven run. While Spurs have beaten Wednesday's opponents in Spain three times already this season, Johnson believes that each time has been through different tactics and the game in Bilbao will require another big and different performance.

"I think we know, going into the final, we can’t rely on the fact that we’ve beaten them a few times this season," he said. "I think it’s about now coming up with a plan because each time we’ve beaten them has been down to different reasons.

"I feel like we’ve done good work preparing for Man United so now it’s about coming up with how we want to win, things we want to do, things we want to stop them from doing so it’s a new opportunity. We want to prepare and be as confident as we can."

Postecoglou has constantly told this group of Tottenham players that they will be the ones to end the club's 17-year wait for a trophy and 41 for a European one. It has been the Europa League run that has sustained a unity within the squad despite the struggles in the Premier League.

"It’s been a real positive drive for us. This competition … when times have been tough and we’ve had to go to some tough places in Europe and we’ve got some really good results, it brings the squad together a massive amount," explained Johnson.

"So the quarter-final, the semi-final … these games have been massive for us. Unbelievable victories, real togetherness. And yeah, it just makes us stronger and more together."

Now Spurs will have to show one final display of togetherness if they are to write their names into the club's history books forever.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are putting the finishing touches to their preparation for the UEFA Europa League final.

The two Premier League rivals go head-to-head in San Mames, Bilbao on Wednesday night, aiming to lift the first piece of European silverware of the season.

Both sides have enjoyed impressive European campaigns, which has almost come at the expense of their domestic form, with Spurs sitting 17th in the Premier League and United a point and a place above them in 16th.

Two of the so-called big six sitting just above the relegation zone is quite incredible, but their European form should lead to an entertaining final in Bilbao.

Spurs are already in the Spanish city, arriving on Monday afternoon ahead of an open training session and press conference later on Tuesday. United, meanwhile, made the decision to train at Carrington on Tuesday morning, before flying out to Spain in the afternoon, with Ruben Amorim's press conference on Tuesday evening.

UEFA rules stipulate that training sessions the day before a game must be open to the media, so we have been able to see what has happened in training prior to the big match.

There have been plenty of questions around team news for both sides, with both head coaches having to deal with injuries.

football.london watched the United training session to see what Spurs would come up against in the final, and we kept an eye on who trained and who didn't for the Red Devils, with particular interest on whether the like of Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Joshua Zirkzee and Diogo Dalot were out on the Carrington grass.

Who trained?

Bruno Fernandes

Diogo Dalot

Casemiro

Toby Collyer

Dorgu

Harry Maguire

Jonny Evans

Mason Mount

Luke Shaw

Rasmus Hojlund

Tom Heaton

Chido Obi

Tyler Fredricson

Altay Bayindir

Leny Yoro

Joshua Zirkzee

Amad Diallo

Alejandro Garnacho

Manuel Ugarte

Christian Eriksen

Noussair Mazraoui

Kobbie Mainoo

Andre Onana

Victor Lindelof

Who didn't train?

Lisandro Martinez

Matthijs de Ligt

Ruben Amorim has been handed a triple fitness boost ahead of Manchester United's Europa League final against Tottenham.

The United squad are due to fly to Bilbao later today ahead of the showpiece final at San Mames Stadium on Wednesday evening. Before the trip, the Red Devils held a open training session at Carrington, with members of the media present.

Diogo Dalot, who has not featured since the 1-0 defeat to Wolves on Easter Sunday, trained with his teammates and now looks to be in contention to start against Spurs. The Portuguese has made 51 appearances in all competitions this season and has been trusted by Amorim to play both left wing-back and right wing-back.

Leny Yoro also trained with his teammates after missing the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last Friday. The 19-year-old was taken off in the second half of the defeat to West Ham United on May 11 with a foot problem but looks to have recovered in time for the final.

Joshua Zirkzee, who has not played since suffering a hamstring injury in the 4-1 loss to Newcastle last month, was also in attendance. There was no sign of Matthijs de Ligt, however. Lisandro Martinez remains Man Utd's only long-term absentee.

The Manchester United squad are set to fly to Spain at around 3pm on Tuesday. Amorim, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire are then scheduled to speak to the press at 6pm.

Tottenham, meanwhile, made the trip to Bilbao on Monday and are due to hold an open training session at 4:30pm. Before the session, Ange Postecoglou will speak to the media, along with Son Heung-min and Pedro Porro.

Ange Postecoglou and his Tottenham squad are now in Bilbao ahead of Wednesday evening's Europa League final against Manchester United. Spurs arrived in the Basque Country on Monday and they will be determined to return to London later this week with silverware in their possession.

Amid the possibility of Son Heung-min holding aloft the Europa League trophy at San Mames Stadium, Tottenham have taken their whole squad with them rather than just the 23 players they can name on a matchday. James Maddison, who is absent for the final with a knee injury, and Lucas Bergvall are with their teammates in Spain and the same goes for Will Lankshear who has just completed his loan spell with Championship side West Brom.

Long-term absentee Radu Dragusin is also present in Bilbao, with the unregistered Fraser Forster, Antonin Kinsky, Sergio Reguilon and Timo Werner also set to be watching on after making the trip. Tottenham have endured a disastrous season in the Premier League but triumphing in the Europa League final against Manchester United gives them an opportunity to finish the campaign on a major high.

A Europa League final win would also see Spurs secure a place in Europe next season despite the fact they will either finish between 14th and 17th position in the Premier League table come the final day. As ever, the prize for winning the Europa League is a place in next season's Champions League.

Not only that, whoever wins UEFA's second club competition will bank a nice amount of money to add to the coffers. The winner will collect £10.95million in prize money, with the runner-up receiving £5.9million.

As things stand right now, Tottenham have already secured a £15.499million windfall in prize money for progressing all the way to the final. If they take the next step and go on to win the competition then that figure would rise to £26.5million in total.

In a year where the club's Premier League prize money will be down due to the fact they can only finish 14th at the very best, a Europa League cash boost would be most welcome.

Rio Ferdinand has stated that Manchester United fans would be "lunatics" to be surprised if the team loses to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

Following their 18th Premier League defeat of the season, a 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Friday, United are set to face a Spurs side that has already beaten them three times this season, twice in the league and also in the Carabao Cup.

“I don’t think the fans can be too surprised,” TNT pundit Ferdinand said should United fall short in the final. “I think the real, honest fans will look at this as a 50/50 game, because they (Spurs) have beaten us three times already this season, so it won’t be a surprise if they beat us for a fourth time.

“It will only be the stupid people who are going, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe this’. We’re 16th because we’ve lost a lot of games. I think we’ve lost 18 games this season, so anyone who’s surprised if we don’t win this game against Spurs is a lunatic in my eyes.”

The Europa League final, scheduled for Wednesday in Bilbao, holds significant importance, as the winner will secure a spot in next season's Champions League and the accompanying financial benefits. Ferdinand, a six-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner during his 12-year tenure at Old Trafford, believes a victory could mark the beginning of a "new era" for United.

“With Manchester United, they need the money to recruit for this manager and it’s a vital period for him in that sense,” he said. “I do think it’s a chance to press the restart button and it will be a new era if these are the guys who managed to win.

“(They will feel like), ‘We’ve seen what it’s like to win and let’s replicate that in the Premier League’. It’s a chance to create a narrative which is advantageous for the players who are there.”

United boss Amorim earlier this month raised the prospect of a change in the dugout should his side’s poor form continue into next season. On those comments, Ferdinand added: “His quotes were there for all to see the other day – next season if it’s the same after a couple of months then maybe it’s the chance for someone else. I think he said that himself and I think that’s fair.”

Angel Gomes is set to leave Lille upon the expiry of his contract, with Tottenham said to be one of the clubs interested in signing the midfielder.

The 24-year-old took to Instagram on Monday evening to confirm his departure from the French outfit after an "unforgettable" four years. Gomes will be available on a free transfer, making him an attractive prospect, especially after featuring in three matches for England under Lee Carsley last year.

In a heartfelt message, Gomes shared: "After four unforgettable years at LOSC Lille, it’s time for me to say goodbye. This club has been more than just a team — it’s been a family, a home, and a place that has shaped me both on and off the pitch. Like any journey, there were ups and downs, highs and lows, but I’m truly grateful to my teammates and the fans for sticking with me throughout.

"I’m proud of what we achieved together and thankful for every moment. To the fans — thank you for your amazing support and for believing in me. I will forever be grateful. I always gave everything I had for the badge and for all of you.

"Lille will always have a special place in my heart. Merci et à bientôt [love heart emoji]."

Having moved to Lille from Manchester United back in 2020, the London-born talent spent a season on loan at Portuguese club Boavista before establishing himself under former coach Paulo Fonseca.

Tottenham and West Ham are reported to be leading the race to lure Gomes, who made his England debut as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Ireland. Marseille are also said to be interested in Gomes, who made 20 appearances for Lille in all competitions this season.

Capable of playing attacking midfield or slightly deeper, Gomes would be a decent acquisition for Spurs given he would not cost a penny. Currently, Tottenham have Yves Bissouma, Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison who can play in the middle of the park.

Any plans to sign Gomes could be accelerated after the Europa League final, which would ensure Champions League qualification should Tottenham beat Manchester United in Bilbao on Wednesday night.

Excitement is building ahead of the Europa League final. For the second time in six years the showpiece final will be an all-English affair as Tottenham Hotspur take on Manchester United in San Mames, Bilbao.

The incentive for both to lift the trophy is huge. Not only will it round off what has otherwise been an underwhelming season for the pair of teams, but there is the carrot of Champions League football next season for the winners.

Ending a 17-year trophy drought is the main thing for Tottenham supporters, while Manchester United's main focus will be on securing Champions League football.

There is not much between the sides in the Premier League and there is little between them when it comes to who the bookmakers think will lift the trophy on Wednesday night either.

We asked our football.london writers to look into their crystal ball and predict what will happen in the big game.

Lee Wilmot

These games do not come around that often for us long-suffering Tottenham supporters. So I can't wait for this on Wednesday.

It may well be two of the worst teams in the Premier League going up against one another, but in Europe this season, both sides have been different animals.

It is all or nothing for both sets of players and potentially both managers. I think it will be open, I think the more pragmatic approach Ange Postecoglou has shown in Europa League away games thus far this season will go out of the window and attack-motivated Spurs will return.

We know United can score goals and I think there will be plenty of them in San Mames.

Spurs' record with their first-choice back five is strong and while we may be averse to winning trophies, I've got to believe this will be our time. After all, Postecoglou said it himself, he "always wins things my second season".

I joked Cristian Romero and Casemiro could easily be involved in a fracas and both see red, but that has potential to ruin what could be an exciting spectacle. I'm thinking it could go to extra-time but I'm backing Spurs to come out on top in a five-goal thriller.

Wilmot's prediction: Tottenham 3-2 Manchester United (after extra-time)

Jack Flintham

I would not be surprised if Wednesday's final goes the way of either team. Both United and Spurs have been atrocious in the Premier League but have managed to pull out the big performances for the Europa League.

Before the semi-finals, I was confident that it would be a Tottenham vs Athletic Club final and that proved to be wrong. United produced an away performance, albeit aided by a red card, for the ages and they picked off Bilbao at Old Trafford.

For this reason, I expect United to go all the way and win this competition. They are the favourites, loosely speaking, thanks to their history in European football and while Tottenham have got the better of them three times this season, I feel Ruben Amorim's men will be victorious on the night.

Amad's return is huge for United and with Dejan Kulusevski out, it could be a difficult night for Spurs. I feel the Ivorian could be in for a star making night in the Basque Country.

Flintham's prediction: Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United

Joe Doyle

As a Manchester United supporter, I think I'm probably feeling as pessimistic as any Tottenham fan right about now. I think we could be set for one of the worst footballing spectacles in recent memory.

I don't think anyone will be taking any risks early on, and it could quickly get very attritional. Teams will need to make the most of any chances they get, and United haven't done that well enough this season.

That being said, when it comes to cup finals they've been pretty good in the last couple of years, beating Newcastle to claim the Carabao Cup and then getting revenge on Manchester City in last season's FA Cup final following defeat in the same fixture the year before.

I am hoping United's big-game players like Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro can turn it on again, and the likes of Amad can provide the spark needed. That being said, I think we're going to extra-time.

I'll say 1-0 to United, in hope more than expectation.

Doyle's prediction: Tottenham 0-1 Manchester United (after extra-time)

Sam Truelove

Who knows what will happen on Wednesday night. Truth be told, it could be 3-0 to either team and I wouldn't be surprised.

Tottenham and Manchester United are poor teams yet both can still produce multiple moments of magic. Their inconsistency is somewhat extraordinary and that is why predicting what will happen in the Europa League final is so tricky.

Because of this, I'm hoping for goals, goals and more goals. Dominic Solanke to flick one in from close range after 15 minutes? Yep, why not. Alejandro Garnacho to equalise with a curling effort past Guglielmo Vicario? It's likely. I'm also backing Richarlison and Harry Maguire to get on the scoresheet and for Spurs to lift the trophy after a nervous penalty shoot-out. Let's hope for a great game for the neutral!

Truelove's prediction: Tottenham 2-2 Manchester United (Spurs win on penalties)

Rob Guest

Ange Postecoglou always wins a trophy in his second season at a football club. I've a feeling that record will continue come Wednesday evening.

Manchester United have received some boosts on the injury front of late and Amad Diallo and Mason Mount will be determined to have a big say on the outcome of the game. However, Spurs, despite losing some key players to injury recently, will get the job done and bring their long wait for a trophy to an end by delivering yet another professional performance in the Europa League.

Having the first-choice backline available is massive for Tottenham and Son Heung-min's timely return to fitness could have a huge bearing on the game. Richarlison is still waiting for his one really big moment in a Tottenham shirt almost three years on from his move from Everton and it may well arrive in the Basque Country on Wednesday.

Tottenham to win 2-1 courtesy of a late Richarlison goal and Postecoglou duly keeps his proud record intact.