Spurs v Qarabag Europa League tie delayed due to 'severe travel disruption' as Ange Postecoglou eyes European 'legacy'

Spurs' opening 2024/25 UEFA Europa League game of the season at home to Qarabag on Thursday night has been hit with a lengthy delay.

"Kick-off for tonight’s fixture has been delayed due to severe travel disruption. Further information to follow," read a Spurs post on X at 7.16pm.

It was later confirmed by TNT Sports' Danny Jamieson - and Spurs - that the new kick-off time would be 20:35.

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Ange Postecoglou had earlier joined the TNT Sports panel of Lynsey Hipgrave, Peter Crouch and Glenn Hoddle before the game, and had his say.

"You guys got to work hard tonight," Postecoglou quipped to the TNT trio.

"I stay out of the dressing room, the boys are pretty calm," he added.

"Once we know the start time we'll work back from that. Not ideal I guess, but whenever the kick-off is we'll be ready."

Spurs named a strong team for the encounter with their Azerbaijani opponents, featuring Son Heung-min and Dominic Solanke.

Talking about the prospect of a season in Europe and what it can bring to his group, Postecoglou said: “It’s exciting, it’s exciting being back in Europe after last year not being in Europe.

"For a club of this size you miss it, nights like this when everyone’s playing and you’re kind of sitting at home. So firstly we’re in it and we’re super excited by it, I think the players are as well.

“We’ve got a young group who want to create their own little legacy and hopefully it starts tonight.

“It’s just different [on challenge of European football]. The Premier League, whilst teams play differently whenever you play continental opposition, there’s always something a little bit different in my opinion, if you’re playing away from home, the conditions, the way they play, there’s always a different challenge from normal.

“I think that’s the exciting bit, it sort of allows you to explore more possibilities and it helps you evolve individually and as a team.

“Like I said for our young players particularly the guys starting tonight it’s going to be a great experience for them, a little bit of a taste of what Europe’s all about and it is different to domestic competition and I’m sure they’ll learn a great deal tonight."

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Watch and stream Spurs v Qarabag live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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