“He’s tall, he’s lean, he’s a goal-scoring machine… Peter Crouch, Peter Crouch.” And he’s good for European football, too, you know…
As a long-time appreciator of UEFA’s European Champions League (and SBS’s continued coverage of said league, of course), I was stoked to see continental first-timers Tottenham Hotspur totally rattle AC Milan – in Milan at the San Siro – earlier this week.
Even if Crouchy didn’t score with the head atop that beanpole frame of his, it was an evening for the White Hart Lane faithful to savour.
Less savoury were the actions of Milan skipper Gennaro Gattuso tangling with Tottenham assistant coach Joe Jordan – it said a lot about the frustration of the Italians on their home turf.
How did Spurs boss Harry Redknapp mastermind this stroke of brilliance?
“The whole team were magnificent, every one of them did their job,” he told UEFA.com.
“It was important to play in the right areas and pick the right ball – and we did,” he added.
Thank goodness for that – they got onto the correct pitch and kicked the correct bladder. Good to know Redknapp’s got the basics covered then.
Under 24 hours later Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk overpowered AS Roma at the Olympic Stadium with a stunning triple-hit of goals close to half time.
Mircea Lucescu, coach of the Kroty (that’s Ukrainian lingo for “moles”) sounded like he was reading from the same celebratory script as his Tottenham counterpart.
“We were lucky Roma were so nervous,” he said on the UEFA website.
“This is how we repay our fans and our president. There’s also my standing here and obviously great credit should go to the players.”
I knew Lucescu had to have a role in all of it somewhere.
But seriously, folks, if both Spurs and Donetsk go through to the last eight in Europe’s richest club tournament it would be a first for each club, and a real reason to celebrate why nights under ECL lights can still deservedly make for terrific drama.
Next week it’s Copenhagen hosting Chelsea at Parken Stadium. If the locals get up they, too will be halfway to a first-ever ECL quarter-final appearance. Let’s hope that all three get there – or further.
Then there’s Manchester City in the less-glamorous second-chance-ish competition, the Europa League (formerly the UEFA Cup). The Blues are into the last 32 at least. Last season it was Fulham making a surprise run to the final in Hamburg, losing to Spain’s Atletico Madrid 2-1 in extra time.
Isn’t it wonderful? This is the kind of delicious, delirious, fairytale stuff that gives fans of clubs other than the EPL’s big three-and-a-half teams something to aspire to (bar supporters of say Barnet, Lincoln City or Stevenage or the like – and for that piece of dream-crushing truth I sincerely apologise). By three-and-a-half I mean Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, naturally. Liverpool are half. On a good day.
Do I think the Spurs will go all the way to the final at Wembley on May 28? Nope. Does it matter in the greater scheme of European football? Not a bit. The small victories have been won, the damage to the competition’s elite already done.
Enjoy the top Totties’ ride – thank you and good night indeed.
Marcel
Guest
Ben , Spurs game against AC Milan was actually their 142nd European tie. Yes its been a while since they played in the EC/CL........61/62 season to be exact where they lost to Benfica in the semi final....but Spurs have played regularly in Europe during that time winning the Uefa Cup twice (losing to Feyenoord in a 3rd final) and also winning the old Cup Winners Cup. They are certainly not "Continental first timers"...still glad to see you enjoy watching them. http://www.topspurs.com/thfc-euro-history.htm
Ben Carter
Roar Guru
Would hardly call it the evil empire - and the headline you read here was not the same as the one I would have put. Certainly they've spent and spent - fair point, but I suppose purely in ECL history terms it's just nice to see that work paying off for them and other clubs.
mintox
Guest
Score one for the Underdog? Which underdog would this be? The one that's spent the most money other than Chelsea and City in recent years? Take nothing away from Redknapp of course, he's created the cultured counter attacking game since he's been at Spurs and in the age of slower posession football, it's caught a lot of teams of guard, it is almost as if teams have forgotten how to stop teams that play so quickly on the counter attack. But to suggest that this is some sort of victory for the underdog, over the evil empire is a ridiculous notion. Over the past 5 years Spurs have been spending and spending to the point where it is now bringing them success. This is in stark contrast to teams like Arsenal who are very careful with their cash and Liverpool (who's spending on strikers over January was entirely funded by the sale of Torres and Babel ie they didn't spend any new amounts of money). Make no bones about it, Spurs are no longer the underdogs, they're now part of a larger elite of English football (Chelsea, Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool, City and Spurs).
Lorna
Roar Rookie
I am not a Spurs fan, but I think they have surprised everyone with how well they have been playing in the Champions League. They deserved the win against AC Milan and I think they can make it to the next round. It's only the first week of competition and there has been many surprises with the games. Can not wait for next week when Chelsea FC play. GO CHELSEA ! :P
Vinay Verma
Roar Guru
Ben,I like the way Spurs are playing. Winning and losing is part of the game. Where,three to four years ago,Spurs played more with hope and prayer they are now playing with style and substance. I like the way Lennon and Mordi run at the opposition.Spurs may well finish 3rd in the Premiership and I feel they are a better side than Liverpool. As long as Redknapp keeps finding the "right areas" Spurs will do well.