Football London

Ange Postecoglou has received a timely injury boost with the possibility that Son Heung-min could feature against Crystal Palace this afternoon (2.15pm).

Spurs head into the match in high spirits, having secured a 5-1 aggregate victory over Bodo/Glimt to reach the Europa League final, where they'll face Manchester United on May 21.

Meanwhile, Palace are also set to compete in the FA Cup final, taking on Manchester City at Wembley next Saturday.

With major finals approaching, both Postecoglou and Oliver Glasner face the dilemma of whether to rest key players or put them into action.

However, with Son potentially returning from injury, Postecoglou may focus on building his conditioning and sharpness ahead of the final in Bilbao.

"Everyone got through Thursday OK and we're half hopeful that we can get Sonny some minutes tomorrow," the Spurs boss confirmed on Friday.

"He'll be the only one who can really come back in."

Elsewhere, James Maddison , Lucas Bergvall and Radu Dragusin remain the long-term injuries and will miss the last games of the season.

Maddison sustained a knee injury during the first leg against Bodo/Glimt, while Bergvall tweaked his ligaments in his ankle.

Dragusin is recovering from an ACL injury sustained in February. After undergoing surgery, he is now working his way back to full fitness.

Glasner, on the other hand, will be without Adam Wharton, Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad.

"Unfortunately, he’s not available," the Palace boss said of Wharton.

"If everything goes right, he'll be reintegrated in full training on Wednesday when we start preparing for the [FA Cup] final - 90 per cent he can play.

"Sunday is too early. The pain is too much for this game. His [ankle] ligament is a little bit damaged."

Doucoure is recovering from a knee injury following surgery, while Riad, who ruptured his ACL in January, continues to be a long-term absentee.

Ange Postecoglou has admitted that he will need to make changes once again to his Tottenham side as they welcome Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

Spurs come into the game just two and a half days after beating Bodo/Glimt with a 5-1 aggregate scoreline to reach the Europa League final against Manchester United on May 21. The Tottenham players only arrived back from Norway at 4.30am on Friday morning and were given the option of having the day off, although those who did not start the game chose not to take Postecoglou up on that offer and did some training.

Palace also have a big game on the horizon as they will face Manchester City in just six days at Wembley in the FA Cup final so it remains to be seen how strong Oliver Glasner goes with his team selection at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. For Postecoglou, he has to choose between resting players for the European final but also not giving them so much time off that they lose their conditioning and sharpness for the game in Bilbao.

"It's a challenging one, but we've tried to navigate that for the last sort of couple of months. I think particularly Micky and Romero and Destiny to a certain extent because they've missed a huge chunk of the season. You always know when guys come back you've got to really manage them because Romero's and Mickey's season, they had a couple of setbacks after coming back and we just didn't want to go down that path. We've changed our structures and our processes so that when they come back, we keep them back," he said.

"We've done that really well, I think the last two or three months, but part of that has just been managing their minutes so it will be a balancing act. I think they need to get obviously some game time between now and then, which where that happens, look, unlikely tomorrow because I think what we do know about Thursday night, playing on an artificial pitch takes a lot out of the players, it's fair to say they were sore.

"I remember when we played Tamworth, we actually got a couple of injuries in the game straight after that, I think, because of the surface. So we've got to be really careful about tomorrow's game, but next Friday it's a bit different. I think we've just got to make decisions we think [are right], ultimately we want to be in a great condition come the final of Europa, so we'll use that."

Here's the Tottenham team that we reckon Postecoglou will select to face Palace.

Ange Postecoglou has made it very clear that he will not be contributing his vocal abilities even if the Tottenham players were to record a song for the Europa League final.

Cup final songs used to be a regular occurrence in the past with footballers called upon to show their vocal talents or often lack of. 'Ossie's Dream', recorded for the 1981 FA Cup Final, is a particular favourite among Spurs fans, who have repurposed its lyrics during this season's Europa League run to sing 'Spurs are on their way to Bilbao'.

Former Tottenham managers have lent their vocals to various songs over the years with the late Terry Venables a bit of a crooner and Glenn Hoddle teaming up with Chris Waddle while players to record 'Diamond Lights'.

Postecoglou had earlier told football.london that he was partial to a bit of AC/DC on his music playlist. So is there any chance of the Australian lining up with the Tottenham players for a 2025 cup final song? The look on the 59-year-old's face quickly dispelled that notion.

"Nah, nah, nah. If you walk in our dressing room, there are too many extremes in the playlist, to get some consensus from the South Americans to I don’t know what Biss and the others are listening to and then you have got some of the other lads," he said. "Anyway, none of that would be on my playlist, so I definitely wouldn’t contribute."

One thing that has been clear in recent weeks has been a growing togetherness once more between those Spurs players and the fans, notably after the Europa League victories at Frankfurt and then in Bodo on Thursday night.

At times this season, with struggles in the Premier League, that relationship has been fraught and fragmented but it feels like it's piecing back together at just the right time.

"It’s kind of understandable with the season we’ve had, but I’ve certainly felt the supporters have played a huge role in our European run," said the Tottenham head coach. "The AZ game at home, then Frankfurt home and away and then Bodo home and away, they’ve been brilliant.

"The Bodo game at home, I know people got a bit nervous when we conceded but I thought we were so dominant that night and a big part of that was the way we started the game and that was because of the crowd and the energy inside the stadium from the moment the boys walked out.

"With the energy in the stadium we scored within a minute and there is no doubt the crowd have played a huge part in our cup run for sure. I am sure come the final they will have an important part to play there as well."

Dominic Solanke scored a goal in both legs against Bodo/Glimt and now has 23 goal involvements for the season from 42 games despite missing a couple of months with a knee injury. He has been scoring in some big games for Tottenham, including the quarter-final in Frankfurt with a high-pressure penalty that night.

"I think he started that scoring run just after you asked me that he hadn’t scored for quite a while right?" Postecoglou joked to one reporter. "That’s why always take a breath. Bit of yoga. Just let things go.

"He missed a lot of football, Dom. He is the kind of guy who when he has been playing for us he just works his socks off but he has had an interrupted season as well. He is crucial to us. No mistake it's not just the goals he scored. He adds so much to our game in terms of how hard he works for the team with and without the ball but he is getting goals at crucial stages.

"Especially when you are talking about knockout games, you know it comes down to moments. It’s easy to say it was just a penalty [against Bodo and Frankfurt] but they were big penalties for us, massive moments. You need somebody with real calmness and clear-headedness to take those chances, even the one the other night."

He added: "I have been really pleased. The hot topic for us last year was set-pieces. Our set-pieces this year have been outstanding. We are a threat every time we get one. We stop the opposition and that is something the guys and coaching staff worked on a lot.

"Dom getting into those areas from set-pieces, again he was in the right place. Big goal for us in the context of the game. Pleased for him.

"That’s why it’s important — it’s his first year at the club — I think he has been outstanding but again he has had his issues with unfortunate injuries, no fault of his own, but guys you can really build something around for the next few years."

Postecoglou told football.london on Saturday that he had spoken to Yves Bissouma a month ago to tell him to be ready because he just felt like the out-of-favour Mali international was going to be crucial to the team at the end of the season.

So it has proved in recent weeks with the 28-year-old stepping in with some big performances after Lucas Bergvall's ankle injury. Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur linked up to provide a near impenetrable shield in front of the Spurs defence in Norway in the Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday night.

"With both these guys, [they bring] experience which we haven't had a lot of this year in crucial stages. Real good game understanding," said Postecoglou. "Both are, with and without the ball, really disciplined in terms of understanding their roles. I think particularly in Europe, it's a different beast and you need that real tactical understanding of what is required in that midfield role.

"They have complemented each other with the way they have both played and adapted to the roles we have needed them to in the last period. It has worked really well for us."

Postecoglou explained that he has been making sure that Tottenham's injured players such as Bergvall, James Maddison and Radu Dragusin are kept involved around the team despite their disappointment at being absent at such a crucial time of the season.

"There is always a role to play. It’s a funny one when you are injured. You don’t want to be hanging around either because you want to give the guys space to prepare and train. I have encouraged both of them, Radu the same, to make sure they stay around the group," said the Spurs boss.

"I think it is important because it can be pretty lonely when you are trying to rehab. Particularly when it is the end of the season and you know you are not playing for the rest of the season. It’s almost easier when the season ends because everyone is on a break and you are not missing out on anything.

"The idea is to keep them around the group as much as possible over the next couple of weeks, making sure they are engaging with their team-mates and a part of everything we do. For sure they will stay involved and I think it’s good for them and it’s also good for the group."

Spurs return to Premier League action on Sunday with the visit of Crystal Palace, who will play in the FA Cup final on Saturday against Manchester City.

Postecoglou has already said he will make changes for the game because when Tottenham last played on an artificial surface at Tamworth, they suffered injuries in the next game. So could the Australian make the full 10 changes to his outfield starting XI?

"I don’t know how many changes we will make because we still haven’t trained yet, so I don’t know how the boys are, but there are a few things to consider," he said. "One is yes, the artificial pitch does take a lot and I could see after the game the boys were pretty sore, and we got back really late, so a lot of them yesterday were probably sleeping all day just to recover so you have to factor all those things.

"We’ll definitely make changes tomorrow because it is just the right thing to do for the players themselves. We’ve got to look after them irrespective of obviously us having a major game to look forward to. I’ll see how the boys are this morning and make decisions then."

Postecoglou is hoping the good feeling from Thursday night seeps into Sunday's match among the crowd at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against Oliver Glasner's side.

"Last week’s game against West Ham wasn’t great, but at least the boys showed they are not dismissive of the league and are still fighting and want to arrest where we are at in terms of that," he said. "A lot of our supporters, we only had sort of 400 to 500 the other night and the rest are all here and they’ll be euphoric and this will be their first chance to maybe share with the people they go to games regularly with, that experience of the other night at the game on Sunday.

"We want to make sure we continue giving them that positivity, so it’s important we go out there and put in a performance. It’s not easy when I’m going to be making the changes and sometimes I feel it is unfair on the lads, but that’s the situation we’re in and I thought last week we handled it a lot better. We need to do a similar thing tomorrow, just to be really resilient, make sure we put in a positive performance so we get the chance to continue the positive feelings they have around the whole at the moment."

Ruben Amorim said that the odds are in United's favour for the Europa League final despite Spurs beating the Manchester side three times already this season because "if you think about the odds, it's hard to lose four times in a row".

When that statement was put to Postecoglou, the Tottenham boss responded: "I'm sure in there there's some Portuguese humour, like my Aussie humour that gets lost on people, there's a little bit of Irony there. I'm sure Ruben doesn't think that way.

"He's had his own challenges this year, but I think it's credit to him, he's got his club to a European final and we are looking forward to matching up with him. We've had some good games against United this year and last year, we have sort of come out on top, but its the final of a major tournament. I think the one thing you don't look at is previous head-to-head comparisons. They become irrelevant, it's all about who performs on the day."

Manchester United may have been handed a significant injury boost ahead of this month’s Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao.

The Premier League clubs secured their places in the final following semi-final victories over Athletic Club and Bodo/Glimt respectively.

After disappointing domestic campaigns, both teams now have a major opportunity to salvage their seasons with silverware and Champions League qualification.

With just weeks to go until the final on Wednesday, May 21, United could be boosted by the return of striker Joshua Zirkzee.

The Dutchman has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since last month and was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

However, Zirkzee appears to have told his friend - and Bayern Munich star - Alphonso Davies, via a Twitch stream, that there’s a chance he could be fit in time to face Spurs.

When asked about his recovery timeline, the forward admitted it would be difficult, but not impossible, to be ready for Bilbao.

Ange Postecoglou, on the other hand, is facing a number of injury concerns of his own, with several players already ruled out for the rest of the season. Lucas Bergvall is among them after tweaking ankle ligaments earlier this month, while James Maddison became the latest to join the season-ending injury list earlier this week.

Following his injury heartbreak, Maddison wrote on social media on Friday: "Gutted. Just absolutely gutted.

"We’ve had our sights on that European final in Bilbao from day one of this campaign. So to accept not being able to take part out on that pitch with the boys is really tough to take. Injuries are just part of this game that can be so cruel at times. But I truly believe that it can be a special night for my football club.

"Bring on the 21st. All together."

Club captain Son Heung-min also faces a race against time to be fit for the final. He has been sidelined for a number of weeks and will need to clock up some much-needed minutes before the squad travel to Bilbao in 11 days’ time.

Spurs haven’t featured in a European final since their Champions League defeat to Liverpool in Madrid in 2019. United, by contrast, last reached the Europa League final in the 2020/21 season, where they were edged out on penalties by La Liga side Villarreal.

Ange Postecoglou has opened up on a chat he had with Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma that proved to be prophetic.

The 28-year-old Spurs star has had a difficult campaign which began back in August last year with a club suspension after filming himself inhaling nitrous oxide and then as the season wore on he struggled to command a regular place in the team and was eventually ousted by teenage newcomer Lucas Bergvall.

Bissouma has started only 16 Premier League matches this season and just six of Tottenham's 14 Europa League games so far. However, with Bergvall's recent ankle injury so the Mali international has stepped back into the fold and has done so with impressive displays in the past three matches, particularly in the two Europa League semi-final legs against Bodo/Glimt.

Postecoglou revealed to football.london on Saturday that he had spoken to Bissouma a month ago when he felt like the chance was about to arrive for the former Brighton man.

"He is a different cat, Yves. Fair to say. I love him though because he has had his own issues this year. I spoke to him about a month ago," he said. "He was in and out of the team. I just had a feeling in my gut. I said: ‘Biss, we are going to need you at the crucial time. I don’t know when that is going to be but we are going to need you and if we get the best Biss we can do something special.’

"He has delivered. Through that time he never put his head down and complained. He knew that he could be doing better and he wanted to push on. So I'm really proud of him and the way he has handled everything this year."

football.london asked Postecoglou whether there was any chance of Bergvall returning ahead of schedule for the Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21 against Manchester United.

"That is unlikely. If we had another two weeks, potentially he could. I am sure he will be trying, I am sure Madders will be trying mate just to get the strip on," said the Australian. "Unfortunate for both of those guys, but that has been our season. Nothing has run smooth.

"I am sure there will be parts of themselves really disappointed they are not part of this most important part, but they have been so integral to us getting here. As I mentioned after the game, I don't think there is a single player in the dressing room who hasn’t contributed to help us get to where we have got to today and should we have success, we'll make sure they get acknowledged in the right way."

He is a different cat, Yves. Fair to say. I love him though because he has had his own issues this year. I spoke to him about a month ago. He was in and out of the team. I just had a feeling in my gut. I said: ‘Biss, we are going to need you at the crucial time. I don’t know when that is going to be but we are going to need you and if we get the best Biss we can do something special.’

He has delivered. Through that time he never put his head down and complained. He knew that he could be doing better and he wanted to push on. So I’m really proud of him and the way he has handled everything this year.

But yes, there was no belting of tunes. It’s fair to say me and the chairman probably have different playlists mate. So don’t see him banging away to AC/DC.

It's a challenging one, but we've tried to navigate that for the last sort of couple of months. I think particularly Micky and Romero and Destiny to a certain extent because they've missed a huge chunk of the season and you always know when guys come back you've got to really manage them because Romero's and Mickey's season, they had a couple of setbacks after coming back and we just didn't want to go down that path. We've changed our structures and our processes so that when they come back, we keep them back.

We've done that really well, I think the last two or three months, but part of that has just been managing their minutes so it will be a balancing act. I think they need to get obviously some game time between now and then, which where that happens, look, unlikely tomorrow because I think what we do know about Thursday night, playing on an artificial pitch takes a lot out of the players, it's fair to say they were sore.

I remember when we played Tamworth, we actually got a couple of injuries in the game straight after that, I think, because of the surface. So we've got to be really careful about tomorrow's game, but next Friday it's a bit different. I think we've just got to make decisions we think [are right], ultimately we want to be in a great condition come the final of Europa, so we'll use that.

Yeah, that is unlikely. If we had another two weeks, potentially he could. I am sure he will be trying, I am sue Madders will be trying mate just to get the strip on. Unfortunate for both of those guys, but that has been our season. Nothing has run smooth. I am sure there will be parts of themselves really disappointed they are not part of this most important part, but they have been so integral to us getting here. As I mentioned after the game, I don’t think there is a single player in the dressing room who hasn’t contributed to help us get to where we have got to today and should we have success, we’ll make sure they get acknowledged in the right way.

James Maddison admitted he was "gutted" to be missing the rest of the campaign for Tottenham Hotspur.

There are only four games left in Spurs' season, but one of them is a massive clash - the Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao.

And Maddison will play no part in that contest, nor the three Premier League matches that remain in the season, starting against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Maddison picked up a knee injury in the first leg of the semi-final clash with Bodo/Glimt last week, having to be replaced in the second half after scoring the second goal in the 3-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And it has ruled him out for the rest of what's left of the campaign.

Speaking on social media after the news, Maddison said: "Gutted. Just absolutely gutted.

"We've had our sights on that European final in Bilbao from day one of this campaign. So to accept not being able to take part out on that pitch with the boys is really tough to take.

"Injuries are just part of this game that can be so cruel at times. But I truly believe that it can be a special night for my football club. Bring on the 21st. All together."

Maddison saying 'my football club' will have endeared himself even more to the supporters in N17. But there is another club that holds a special place in his heart - Coventry City.

Maddison was born in Coventry and started his career with the Sky Blues, playing 24 senior games before moving to Norwich City. Coventry were in Championship play-off action on Friday night.

Maddison was spotted in the crowd cheering Jack Rudoni's equalising goal on the night and he was understood to be there as a guest of Sky Blues owner Doug King.

The England star will have been left gutted for the second time in a week, however, with the Sky Blues losing out 2-1 at home thanks to an 88th-minute winner to Sunderland and leaving themselves a mountain to climb in the second leg next week.

Ange Postecoglou was in high spirits in front of a handful of journalists at his press conference on Saturday ahead of Tottenham hosting Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The Australian and Spurs are riding high after their victory at Bodo/Glimt on Thursday night ensured their passage to the Europa League final on May 21 against Manchester United. First they must take on two Premier League game, starting with the visit of Oliver Glasner's Palace on Sunday.

The Eagles face Manchester City in the FA Cup final next Saturday and that means both sides could look slightly different with Postecoglou certainly likely to rest many of the starting XI that kicked off the game in Norway in midweek on a tough artificial pitch.

Postecoglou delivered an update on his captain Son Heung-min as well as whether Lucas Bergvall could be back for the final in Bilbao. He also confirmed whether or not he sang with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy on the flight back as Yves Bissouma had suggested the latter would sing a song or two.

Our Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold was among the handful of reporters putting the questions to Postecoglou. Here's the full transcript from the press conference at Hotspur Way.

How was your day yesterday?

It was good. We didn't get back until pretty late, about 4.30am, so a quiet day yesterday. Just relaxed and recovered. The boys, some trained. They didn't have to, we gave them the option but some of the lads wanted to train, the ones who didn't play. Just a relaxing day.

A bit of reflection as well?

Yeah, there was. I think it is quite a significant achievement, you know, we've got ourselves to a European final and it hasn't been without its challenges for sure, it hasn't been a smooth run. It's well chronicled but irrespective of all that just to reach a final of a major tournament, it's hugely satisfying, but also, like I said after the game, really proud of the way this group has found a way.

I asked you earlier in the season where do you see yourself at 100 games, well, that 100 is going to be a European final...

Yeah, not bad, it'd be a nice little bow there for that 100 and it's been a really full 100. It's fair to say I've experienced just about every emotion in it and hopefully the one main emotion we're all after will be the joy at the end of it.

You really could write a book on this season, couldn't you?

It has been in many respects an extraordinary one in terms of the extremes of everything we've gone through. You understand that on one end of the spectrum you've got a disappointing league season and at the other extreme you've got the possibility of a real significant day in the history of this club that's been going on for many, many years, so when you have those...but I think at the same time, those extremes, I think they're intertwined, I really do and I think there's cause and effect there, I think one has had an effect on the other.

There's two games before the final, with Palace and Villa, the back four for example is so important to you, what's the plan of are they going to get an entire rest or do they need to play some games?

It's a challenging one, but we've tried to navigate that for the last sort of couple of months. I think particularly Micky and Romero and Destiny to a certain extent because they've missed a huge chunk of the season and you always know when guys come back you've got to really manage them because Romero's and Mickey's season, they had a couple of setbacks after coming back and we just didn't want to go down that path. We've changed our structures and our processes so that when they come back, we keep them back.

We've done that really well, I think the last two or three months, but part of that has just been managing their minutes so it will be a balancing act. I think they need to get obviously some game time between now and then, which where that happens, look, unlikely tomorrow because I think what we do know about Thursday night, playing on an artificial pitch takes a lot out of the players, it's fair to say they were sore.

I remember when we played Tamworth, we actually got a couple of injuries in the game straight after that, I think, because of the surface. So we've got to be really careful about tomorrow's game, but next Friday it's a bit different. I think we've just got to make decisions we think [are right], ultimately we want to be in a great condition come the final of Europa, so we'll use that.

In terms of the team are there no fresh injuries but you probably shake it up?

Yeah there's no [fresh injuries], everyone got through OK the other night. Half hopeful that we get Sonny some minutes tomorrow so he'll be the only one that sort of can come back in.

You're going to be the first Australian manager ever to manage in a European cup final....

First Greek-born as well, mate. I'm also Greek, so yeah, a couple.. I'm very proud of both of those.

When you started managing back at South Melbourne, did you ever think this is the type of thing that could happen?

Mate, I wouldn't have thought of it five years ago when I was coaching in Japan. I guess there will be a time when all the dust has settled when I will reflect on all these things, these unbelievable opportunities that have been presented to me, I've been blessed. But no, there would never have been any sort of reality and even the dreams I had of one day leading out a major football club in a European final, so like I said I've been blessed with all the opportunities I've had in life and with great support from my loved ones and looking forward to the day.

You're going to face a manager this weekend who won this competition three years ago in Oliver Glasner. He said yesterday that 10 years ago he was managing in the second division in Austria as well, and he was full of praise for you and the challenges you faced as a manager. When you hear a colleague saying those kinds of words, how does it make you feel?

It's true they don't have to, you're right, and we live in industry which is particularly in our roles fairly cutthroat, but I think to be fair, most of my peers have been very understanding and I think they understand the challenges I've had this year as a manager and we've had as a football club.

If you take away the emotion of it, they just look at it probably from their standpoint and as I said we've had extremes this year, but I think one has almost caused the other. Our fantastic run, not just in the Europa but also in in the Carabao Cup has cost us in the league, but also that the troubles we've had in the league have built a resilience in this group to be able to do what we're doing now.

I think Oliver's done a brilliant job at Palace as well and I followed his journey. I've always liked managers that start from the bottom rung so to speak and and work their way up because you know there's a little bit more in them than just football knowledge. There's some real determination to get to the top and I've always got great respect for any manager that even reaches this level because not many get the opportunity to do so.

A London derby but what team can you prepare for with Palace who have a final to think about as well?

Hard to say but since Oliver got there they are not going to change the way they play. That is the one constant. You know they like to be really aggressive without the ball. They have got some real dangerous players. With the FA Cup final next week they will probably use this as preparation for meeting Man City. We are expecting a tough game. From our perspective, last week against West Ham while it was not the greatest of games at least we showed some real determination to make sure we didn’t lose the game. For the most part we stuck to the task really well. We need to try and replicate that tomorrow. Particularly at home because I think our supporters will still be buzzing from the other night and we don’t want to let them down. I’m sure the boys will put in a good one tomorrow.

Yves Bissouma said he thought everyone including the chairman would be singing on the flight back from Bodo, did you and the chairman belt out a couple of tunes?

He is a different cat, Yves. Fair to say. I love him though because he has had his own issues this year. I spoke to him about a month ago. He was in and out of the team. I just had a feeling in my gut. I said: ‘Biss, we are going to need you at the crucial time. I don’t know when that is going to be but we are going to need you and if we get the best Biss we can do something special.’

He has delivered. Through that time he never put his head down and complained. He knew that he could be doing better and he wanted to push on. So I’m really proud of him and the way he has handled everything this year.

But yes, there was no belting of tunes. It’s fair to say me and the chairman probably have different playlists mate. So don’t see him banging away to AC/DC.

It will be 60 games this season, 19 more than last season, and you’re in middle of five press conferences in six days, how do you juggle all of that?

Ah, five press conferences in six days (laughs). And that is why I was saying before, I know people are trying to separate the two but there is cause and effect there. We have had a ridiculous injury-riddled season coupled by the fact we’ve done really well in two competitions and that is 60 games. So, it has felt and certainly for me personally it has felt like a really, really long season, but you just get energy and realise what happened the other night and you’re so close to achieving something special that it all dissipates into the background, so you get the energy you need. Even in my career, I’ve been fortunate to have a fair bit of success but I know the key to that is when the opportunities comes along, you take them because you don’t know when they will come around again. The opportunity we have that is all you need to keep the energy levels up, not just for me but the staff, the players, everyone feels the same way.

As young players sometimes heal quicker, is any chance Lucas Bergvall could be aiming to make the final?

Yeah, that is unlikely. If we had another two weeks, potentially he could. I am sure he will be trying, I am sure Madders will be trying mate just to get the strip on. Unfortunate for both of those guys, but that has been our season. Nothing has run smooth. I am sure there will be parts of themselves really disappointed they are not part of this most important part, but they have been so integral to us getting here. As I mentioned after the game, I don’t think there is a single player in the dressing room who hasn’t contributed to help us get to where we have got to today and should we have success, we’ll make sure they get acknowledged in the right way.

Dominic Solanke said that nights like Thursday are why he moved to Spurs, how important it that he gets that for all the work he's put in?

Yeah it is but it is also important for the club because guys like that are really hungry for success. We keep saying we need to change the culture of the club and how do you become a winning club? Well, I think it is players like that who is again another player that has worked his way to get here, nothing has been given to him, he’s had to earn everything and appreciates what he’s got.

If you can bring success at a time where guys like that are at the football club, they are the ones who keep driving it in the future because they want more nights like Thursday, they want to win trophies because that’s why they came to the club and if they do manage to do that, whoever next walks through the door, they have a real clear reference point and example of what you need to be successful.

It is great for Dom to have that night but it is just as important for the club that Dom and others in that group, because they are part of the future, they feel that success as well.

Destiny Udogie believes Ange Postecoglou has "done a great job" in taking Tottenham Hotspur to the Europa League final.

Spurs have the chance to end a 41-year wait for a European trophy if they can get past Manchester United for a fourth time this season when the two clubs meet on May 21 in Bilbao. That match will be Postecoglou's 100th in charge of Tottenham. Udogie arrived from Udinese in the Australian's first summer at the club having been signed a year before and loaned back to the Italian side.

There has been plenty of speculation around Postecoglou's position but the looks on his players' faces as he delivered a heartfelt speech in the dressing room after Thursday night's win at Bodo/Glimt showed where their allegiances lie.

"Obviously the manager has done a great job. He is helping us every day to be confident and to go out there and play our best football," said Udogie.

“As a group and a family, every day we speak about being together and fighting on the pitch together. Obviously the Europa League final is a big motivation.

“It feels amazing. It is something we wanted since the beginning, so we’re really happy and can’t wait to play the final."

Udogie and his Spurs team-mates enjoyed some great moments with the club's fans after the game, celebrating with the 404 supporters who made their way to the small town in Norway, just above the Arctic Circle.

"It was special, because obviously to travel here is not easy, so all the fans that came here gave us support and we’re really happy," said the left-back who put in another impressive European display in Bodo.

The last time Spurs played in a European final six years ago it was also an all-English affair as Liverpool were their opponents in the Champions League final. Udogie is looking forward to playing a team that Tottenham know well and wants a different result to that night in Madrid.

"It’s going to be nice. Hopefully it’s going to be a good game and we get the win," he said.

"Obviously a final is always one game and you never know, but we will prepare and be ready for it."

He added: "It is a big dream since I was a kid [to lift a trophy] and hopefully I can get it (the medal) on.

“I think as a group and as a club, we deserve a trophy, so we want to bring it home and we’ll give our best. We spoke about [the trophy drought at Spurs] but at the same time, every day we go out there and try to give our best. If it comes, we’re going to take it.

"It’s been a tough season, we know, but now is the time."

Micky van de Ven believes that his Tottenham centre-back partner Cristian Romero helped guide him and the team through to the Europa League final with his big game experience.

Spurs will take their place in the final in Bilbao on May 21 against Manchester United following a dominant couple of semi-final legs against Bodo/Glimt, including a 2-0 win in Norway with goals from Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro to secure a 5-1 aggregate victory.

Tottenham's defence never looked like conceding at the Aspmyra Stadion where Bodo have a fearsome record and Van de Ven had plenty of praise for Romero, his captain on the night, for making his own evening a more comfortable one.

The Argentine has won the World Cup and two Copa America titles and brought all of his experience on the biggest stages to the artificial pitch in the small Norwegian town.

"Cuti's an unbelievable player. You can see that mentality-wise. With the ball, without the ball. He knows how it is to play these types of games," said the young Dutchman.

"You can see it in how he is, he shows so much to the rest, he helps the whole team. My partnership with Cuti, we feel each other. He knows what to do, I know what to do. We back each other."

Ange Postecoglou delivered a heartfelt speech to his players before the celebrations began in the dressing room in Norway.

"The atmosphere in the dressing room is unbelievable. We're in a European final, one game away from a trophy and I think the mentality we showed was unbelievable," said Van de Ven.

"We showed a lot of discipline. Also the Frankfurt away game, we kept a clean sheet and won over there. Everybody had doubts when we came over here because Bodo/Glimt were doing unbelievably in their home games in Europe.

"So we knew from the beginning it was going to be a really tough game but we showed discipline, mentality. We did what we needed to do, we got a clean sheet and now we go to Bilbao."

The centre-back admitted that it was a "good feeling" to prove Tottenham's doubters wrong and for the Dutchman, May's showpiece final brings a huge bookend to what has been a difficult campaign on a personal level with a couple of hamstring injuries ruling him out for months.

"Yeah, of course for me personally it's a tough season. I didn't play a lot of games but now I'm going to play a European final, the first final of my career. For me, unbelievable. A season with ups and downs and hopefully I can end up with more positive things," he said.

"To be in a European final with Tottenham is a big thing for the fans and the club. For me personally, I'm really proud to be part of it."

Ruben Amorim's United side lie in wait for Spurs in Bilbao and although the north London outfit have triumphed in all three of the meetings between the clubs this season, Van de Ven is not resting on his laurels.

"They played Athletic Club, a really good team, and it was 7-1 over the two games. So they've also shown some real quality in Europe," he said. "We know it's going to be a different game, everything can happen in a final.

"But we're not going there with fear, of course. We know our qualities, we know it's going to be a difficult game, Man United showed their quality in this European campaign.

"Everybody goes to Bilbao to win a trophy. It has been a tough season and it will only be successful if we win the Europa League and get the trophy."