Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Fri 18 April 2025 9:58, UK

Tottenham Hotspur supporters may look back on that night in Frankfurt as the moment when the long-term tide turned.

Dominic Solanke’s penalty and the defensive dedication away at the third-placed Bundesliga side (17 April) could be remembered for years to come as the catalyst to emerge from what has been a long-term rut.

Ange Postecoglou will certainly be at the helm for at least a little while longer, with Spurs now setting up a tie with plucky but sturdy Norwegians Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals.

Tottenham odds to win Europa League take major cut

Tottenham Hotspur knew this second leg in Germany was the make-or-break moment of not only their season, but how their future may pan out.

Should Spurs overcome their Scandinavian semi-final opponents and surpass either Manchester United or Athletic Club in the final, they will end their 17-year trophy drought and qualify for the Champions League despite their woeful Premier League showing this year.

Bodo/Glimt will be hoping for a story of their own having knocked out Lazio on penalties, after winning their home leg 2-0.

Ruben Amorim’s United stole the show in terms of drama, scoring three late extra-time goals to remarkably turn around their own tie with Lyon at Old Trafford.

Athletic Club knocked out Rangers over two legs, and could hold a slender advantage by virtue of the final being hosted in their home city of Bilbao on 21 May.

However, Tottenham will now be confident, and the updated bookmakers’ odds reflect that. Paddy Power now has Spurs priced as 13/8 favourites to lift the trophy, with Athletic Club next in at 15/8.

Man United are priced at 9/4 while considered slight underdogs against their Basque opponents, while Bodo/Glimt will take their position as 12/1 outsiders.

Spurs have under a fortnight until semi-final action

For all the flak Postecoglou has taken and at times returned – alongside the Tottenham squad – they will become overnight heroes if they are parading the trophy around the pitch in Bilbao next month.

The competition has picked up great pace and the first leg of the semis will take place in under two weeks, with Spurs bound to put on a tremendous atmosphere for the visit of Bodo/Glimt – who have just begun their domestic season – on 1 May.

The second leg in Norway is expected to take place the following Thursday (8 May), 13 days before the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Before they resume European action in the last four, Spurs host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League (21 April), before visiting Anfield and champions-elect Liverpool (27 April).