Sports

• Marvelous Ebudo
• 2 Min Read

Tottenham End Trophy Drought With Historic Europa League Triumph

Bilbao, Spain – May 21, 2025 – After 17 long years, the wait is finally over for Tottenham Hotspur! The North London club lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy last night, defeating English rivals Manchester United 1-0 in a hard-fought final at the Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao. Brennan Johnson's decisive goal just before halftime secured a monumental victory that not only ends Tottenham's prolonged silverware drought but also guarantees them a coveted spot in next season's Champions League.

The atmosphere in Bilbao was electric, with a near-capacity crowd of 50,000, largely split between the two English giants. The match itself was a tense and often scrappy affair, with both teams, having endured disappointing domestic campaigns, battling for a chance at redemption.

It was Tottenham who seized the crucial moment in the 42nd minute. A cross from Pape Sarr ricocheted off Luke Shaw and fell perfectly for Brennan Johnson, who managed to poke it home, sending the Spurs faithful into raptures. The goal, while perhaps not the prettiest, was enough to break the deadlock and ultimately decide the contest

Manchester United, under pressure after a dismal season that sees them languishing in 16th place in the Premier League, pressed for an equalizer in the second half. They came agonizingly close when Rasmus Hojlund's header was spectacularly cleared off the line by Tottenham's Micky van de Ven in the 68th minute. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also made a crucial save in stoppage time from Luke Shaw to preserve Tottenham's lead.

For manager Ange Postecoglou, this triumph is a significant vindication. His declaration at the start of the season that he "always wins things in his second season" has now proven prophetic. Despite a challenging Premier League campaign where Spurs will finish near the bottom, Postecoglou has delivered the major trophy the club and its fans have craved for so long.

"This is what it's all about," beamed Brennan Johnson after the match. "This club hasn't won a trophy for 17 years. This is what it means, it means so much. Ever since I came here it's been, 'Tottenham are a good team but can never get it done.' We got it done.”

The victory marks Tottenham's third triumph in Europe's second-tier competition (formerly the UEFA Cup), and their first European silverware since 1984. It is also their first major trophy since the League Cup in 2008. The win not only brings silverware but also the invaluable Champions League qualification, a significant boost for the club's financial and sporting ambitions.

For Manchester United, the defeat compounds a truly miserable season, leaving them without European football next term. The pressure on manager Ruben Amorim will undoubtedly intensify after this latest setback.

As the Spurs players and fans celebrated long into the night in Bilbao, the collective sigh of relief was palpable. The jokes about Tottenham's trophy drought can finally be laid to rest. This Europa League triumph is a momentous occasion that rewrites the club's recent history and offers a renewed sense of hope and belief for the future.