Any Euro night under the lights is special

As a life-long Spurs fan, keeping one eye on the sporting branch of the media, and usually dismissing their hyperbolic views instantly, has become the norm. By now, only the naïve would fail to realise that a major focus of sports journalists, now turning particularly back to football, is to create debate through subjectivity, on occasion purely for the sake of doing so. If one were to get angry or frustrated with the content of every article published, then the average person would have no time in their day for anything else.

However,  a recent Adrian Durham article on the bastion of news that is the Daily Mail website caught my attention, and its content annoyed me.

The focus of the main part of his article was on how Manchester United “belonged” in the Champions League, and therefore the top 4 of the Premier League, and should, if they fail to make the Champions League next season, snub entrance to the Europa League as it is a competition for (drumroll please…) “losers”.

The issue of “belonging” can be dismissed relatively quickly. What Mr. Durham needs to understand is that no team, no matter what their name is, how long they have been in existence or how large and far-reaching their fan base is, has a divine right to be a part of the Champions League or the top 4 of the Premier League.

The portrayal of an unbreakable top 4 (mainly propagated by Sky Sports) may have developed a ‘status quo’ for a period, but a team’s dominance in the past does not dictate any divine right for their future achievements (just look at Liverpool).

With the Premier League becoming more attractive for foreign investors, the league will become more competitive near the top, consequently resulting in some teams missing out on Champions League spots. However, if you’re not good enough over 38 games, then you don’t deserve to be near the top or to benefit from the rewards that flow from finishing in that position, regardless of your past achievements – it really is as simple as that.

[linequote]The traditions of the club are firmly built around not just domestic achievements, but also glorious European nights both at the Lane and on the continent[/linequote]

Now to the main reason for my anger – the dismissal of the Europa League as a tournament for “losers”. It’s at this point that I sit and imagine fans of other clubs (predominantly that lot from Woolwich) spewing clichés such as ‘you’re only angry because Spurs themselves are in the competition’.

There may be an element of truth to this – who knows what our views on the Europa League would be if we consistently endured the mundane experience of qualifying for the Champions League year on year, with each season resembling Groundhog Day. However, there is something special about European games at White Hart Lane, whatever the level, which leaves supporters with a feeling unlike any regular league game.

Tottenham is a club with a rich European history. The traditions of the club are firmly built around not just domestic achievements, but also glorious European nights both at the Lane and on the continent. I have been fortunate enough to attend White Hart Lane on numerous occasions during my life, and there is something magical, almost indescribable, in the air when the Lane hosts a European fixture.

I have attended three Europa League games this season (Dinamo Tbilisi, Anzhi and Dnipro), the latter two games in Block 35 with the 1882 movement. Our 3rd goal against Dnipro was celebrated as if it was the most important goal in the Club’s history, and created the most bedlam I have experience at White Hart Lane caused by a goal since being privileged enough to be present for ‘that’ Danny Rose goal against Woolwich in 2010. But for me, the reaction and celebrations against Dnipro hinted at much more than just winning a football match after being 2 goals down on aggregate. The reaction was an acknowledgement of past achievements in Europe – a nod to our history.

[linequote]the reaction and celebrations against Dnipro hinted at much more than just winning a football match it was an acknowledgement of past achievements in Europe[/linequote]

Yes there are those who constantly bring up our form after a Europa League game, and there are also those who do mock the competition, but what is undeniable is Tottenham’s desire to compete on the European stage (at whatever level that may be). It’s in our lifeblood, and what’s more, there is certainly no sense of entitlement around the Club of being involved in European football.

As patronising as this may sound, I genuinely feel sorry for those supporters of clubs who have lost their enthusiasm for European football (be it either in the Champions League or Europa League) due to qualification becoming expected and the norm. I honestly believe that European football of any sort is a gift to be cherished, and we should not be so quick to turn up our noses at the thought of another season in the Europa League. To do so would be insulting to all that has gone before in N17.

And that brings me back to Adrian Durham’s article in the Daily Mail. Dismissing the Europa League as a competition for “losers” is an easy thing to do, and a throwaway statement arguably made for the sake of causing a stir. Personally, I believe that the suggestion that anyone should snub a place in a European competition is insulting, and I would relish another season visiting the Lane under the lights (whether it is on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night) for an unrivalled footballing experience (even if it is partly driven by the selfish motive of being able to attend more 1882 events!)

All above words in quotation marks refer to the Adrian Durham article on the Daily Mail Website published on 11th March 2014

Note from the editor: The Fighting Cock don’t want to add a link to this article. If you need to read the whole thing to complete your life, google it.