On a cold and rainy night in northern Norway, Tottenham did their job with skill and determination. They beat Bodø/Glimt 2-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals and confirmed their place in the final to be played on May 21 at San Mamés.
With an aggregate score of 1-5, the Londoners made it clear that, despite the ups and downs of their Premier League season, their European objective is still alive. Manchester United will face them in an all-English final.
Control and Maturity in an Uncomfortable Environment
The Aspmyra Stadion presented one of those scenarios that invite you to think of surprises. Artificial turf, seven degrees Celsius and constant rain. In addition, a local team that had been making history and wanted to keep dreaming. However, Tottenham did not let themselves be intimidated. They played seriously, avoided mistakes and managed the tempo of the match from the beginning.
Barely two minutes had passed when Richarlison had already tried his luck. Although Bodø/Glimt responded with a clear chance from Blomberg from a corner, that first exchange was just a mirage. Little by little, Ange Postecoglou's side settled on the pitch, conceded possession to the Norwegian team, but every attacking outlet was a real threat.
Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie were key to this strategy. Their runs down the flanks generated space and constant dangerous situations. In fact, the Spaniard came very close to opening the scoring with a free kick that forced a great save from Haikin.
In that first half, Tottenham did not dominate the ball, but they dominated the game. They knew when to accelerate and when to resist. And although the home side came to life towards the end of the first half, Spurs held their nerve and went into the break with a good feeling.
The Final Blow Arrived After The Break
Aware that they needed at least two goals to force extra time, Bodø/Glimt came out in the second half with a lot of energy. They pushed forward, pressed high up the pitch and began to hover more insistently in their opponents' area. But just when it looked like they might find their way through, the reality check came.
Tottenham, true to their plan, took advantage of the slightest lack of concentration from their opponents. In the 63rd minute, after a corner kick and a series of rebounds, Solanke pushed the ball into the back of the net and silenced the stadium. It was a simple goal, but full of meaning: the tie was practically over.
And if there was any doubt, just five minutes later, Pedro Porro capped off the night with a gem. The Spanish full-back received the ball on the right, lifted his head and sent a cross-shot into the top corner, impossible for Haikin.
It was 0-2 and 1-5 on aggregate. From then on, the match had only one owner. The Norwegian team, who had fought with pride, began to realize that their European adventure was coming to an end.
A European Season to Remember... And Another to Save
For Bodø/Glimt, this elimination does not erase the great run they have had. It was the best participation of a Norwegian team in UEFA competitions, and that is no small feat. They faced opponents with bigger budgets, more history and more experience, but they always competed. Against Tottenham, they simply came up against a team that knew how to handle the tie with skill.
For their part, Tottenham needed this qualification like water. Their Premier League campaign has been very irregular, with more doubts than certainties, and a possible qualification to the Champions League through the domestic route seems unlikely. Reaching the Europa League final, then, represents much more than a title opportunity: it is a way to redeem themselves and rescue a difficult season.
Players like Bentancur and 'Cuti' Romero provided stability at key moments, while others like Pedro Porro shone in attack. In addition, Postecoglou's management of the substitutions was successful, giving the team fresh air just when it needed it most.
Double your first deposit and play with an edge in the semis! 🔥⁰⚽ pic.twitter.com/eUr5zyCco8
- Betcris (@Betcris) May 8, 2025
English Final at El Horizonte
On May 21 in San Mamés there will be a duel between English teams: Tottenham vs Manchester United. Two teams with irregular trajectories, but with enough talent to offer a show worthy of a European final. Both need the title to close the season with a smile on their faces, and both will be looking for a direct ticket to the next Champions League.
For Tottenham, it will be their fourth final in the history of this competition and their first since 1984, when they lifted their second trophy. For their fans, the illusion is back on. The team has shown that, when it sets its mind to it, it can compete at the highest level. And now, just one more step remains to make history once again.
Meanwhile, Bodø/Glimt bid farewell to Europe with their heads held high. The result was clear, but their journey will remain in the memory of their fans. They tried, played without fear and were worthy semi-finalists.