Tottenham

For the second time ever, the Champions League final will pit two English clubs against one another in what is sure to be an instant classic. Even if the final has a fraction of the drama supplied in the semifinals, we’re in for a treat. But you may want to watch from home, because Champions League final tickets cost are astronomical.

(This article contains Game of Thrones spoilers up to Season 8, Episode 4.)

Down two goals, three on aggregate, with 45 minutes to play, Tottenham Hotspur looked at Champions League death and said: “Not today.”

When everything looked bleak, with no hope of survival, Lucas Moura, the quick, crafty Brazilian winger, often overlooked, dragged Spurs back into contention with two goals in four minutes.

Tottenham went into Saturday’s match against Bournemouth joint fewest red cards earned in the league; Spurs ended the match joint sixth in most red cards received. Two Tottenham red cards spelled doom for Mauricio Pochettino’s side in a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, once again opening up the race in for the top four.

Forget all the complaints about which team had more rest or which team has more money — the first leg of the Champions League semifinals between Ajax and Tottenham was everything you want in a big match. 

Full of attacking intent from both sides, neither of which backed away from a single challenge, Ajax turned 30 minutes of first-half dominance into a 1-0 victory, a third-straight away win in the knockout rounds for the Amsterdam side. Spurs, meanwhile, suffered back-to-back defeats at the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

Battered, bruised and bloodied, Jan Vertonghen was splayed out on the turf.

The Spurs defender smashed his own head into the back of teammate Toby Alderweireld’s head going for a free kick, causing a faucet of blood to spew forth. 

It was gruesome, and it summed up Tottenham’s opening half against Ajax.

Tottenham Hotspur is one of England’s most storied clubs. Founded in 1882, Spurs have a great history of cup success dating back to winning the 1901 FA Cup as a non-League club, continuing through 1963 when they became the first British club to win a major European competition and into the 21st century. But it begs the question: Why is Tottenham called Spurs?

Tottenham Hotspur was founded by a group of school boys along Tottenham High Road in London and is now one of the most profitable and successful clubs in Europe.