Tottenham's most iconic semi-final triumphs in Europe - a look back through the decades
Tottenham Hotspur players celebrating scoring against Frankfurt, therefore booking their place in the Europa League semi-final (Photo by: Alex Grimm/Getty Images) 
By
Follow VAVEL on Google

Despite a largely disappointing second season under Ange Postecoglou – riddled with injuries, plagued by expectation, and damaged by poor performances – Tottenham Hotspur are only 180 minutes, and two-legs of football away from a return to a European final.

Postecoglou is only the second Spurs manager to reach a semi-final in the last 40 years – the other being Mauricio Pochettino in 2019 – and if he brings silverware back to North London, he will never be forgotten in N17. Spurs have had their fair share of memorable moments in European semi-finals, dating back decades. Here’s a walk through the history books of Tottenham Hotspur on the European stage.

The semi-final victory against Ajax will go down as one of the greatest European nights for the club. After being handed a hard to swallow defeat at White Hart Lane through a strike from Donny Van De Beek - the loss was quickly forgotten by the end of the second leg.

After going 2-0 in the second leg, Lucas Moura lit the stage alight. His historic shift booked Spurs’ ticket to their first Champions League final. Two goals in quick succession in the second half had Tottenham right back in the game.

Ziyech came close, hitting the post, but the odds were in Tottenham’s favour. Victory was written in the stars, and in the 96th minute – it was written into the Champions League history books. Spurs are still one of only two teams to reach the UCL final after losing the first leg of their semi-final tie at home. A legendary performance, for a legendary game.

  • 1971/72 – UEFA Cup, Semi-Final vs AC Milan

One of the most iconic moments in Tottenham Hotspur’s history came during the second leg of the UEFA Cup semi-final against Italian giants AC Milan. Having already secured a win at White Hart Lane in the first leg, Spurs travelled to the San Siro full of confidence - and they didn’t disappoint.

Unshaken by the intimidating atmosphere, Tottenham held their ground, and an early 7th-minute goal from Alan Mullery proved decisive. That crucial strike sealed their place in the final of the inaugural UEFA Cup.

Spurs went on to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in a two-legged final and emerged victorious, etching their name into the history books as the first-ever winners of the UEFA Cup.

Spurs pulled off a feat reminiscent of their 1972 UEFA Cup semi-final, striking early and ensuring that one crucial goal was enough to see the job through. After a 2-1 defeat in the first leg away in Croatia, Tottenham returned to North London with it all to play for. At White Hart Lane, they delivered a composed and determined performance. A decisive strike from iconic midfielder Micky Hazard gave Spurs a 1-0 win, and thanks to the away goals rule, they booked their place in the final.

That victory paved the way for another historic moment. In the final, Tottenham faced Belgian side Anderlecht in a two-legged showdown. With the tie locked after both legs, it all came down to a dramatic penalty shootout. Spurs held their nerve, edging it 4-3 from the spot to lift the UEFA Cup for the second time—and further solidify their status as a force in European football.

  • 1962/63, Cup Winners Cup, Semi-Final vs OFK Beograd

The semi-final victory in 1963 was Tottenham’s earliest European semi-final – taking place just over 60 years ago.

The UEFA Cup Winners Cup ran for 39 seasons, and was first held in the 1960-61 season, and Spurs won the third edition of the competition, defeating the holders, Atletico Madrid in the final.

However, before the final, they had to reach it. Tottenham played the Serbian side, OFK Beograd, and defeated them in both legs. The first, was a 2-1 win in Belgrade, and a 3-1 win on home soil. Tottenham dominated in front of a crowd of almost 60,000 – which gave them the push to go all the way to the final.

Tottenham will be more than eager to create more history against Bodø/Glimt on Thursday night and remind fans of the true European night under the lights at N17. Spurs, who will host the first leg, head into the games as strong favourites - but opponents can never be underestimated, no matter who they are, and Spurs will have a challenging, and hopefully historic, game on their hands.