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A British-Israeli woman released by Hamas after 15 months in captivity has thanked her favourite football team Tottenham Hotspur for their “incredible support” during her ordeal.

Emily Damari was one of three hostages freed on Sunday after a ceasefire deal was agreed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The 28-year-old was taken from her home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel on the morning of Hamas’s attack on October 7 2023 and shot in the hand, losing two fingers, before being held in Gaza.

New pictures shared on Wednesday showed Ms Damari wearing a navy T-shirt and black cap while holding a scarf for Tottenham Hotspur, of whom she is an avid supporter.

Hundreds of yellow balloons were released into the air during the club’s match against Newcastle United earlier this month to raise awareness of her ongoing captivity at the time, while a picture of Ms Damari was displayed on the stadium’s large LED screens during half time, the Jewish Chronicle reported.

Israeli ambassador to the UK Tzipi Hotovely said an X post that Ms Damari had “sent her heartfelt gratitude (to) the Spurs fans for all their incredible support during her time in captivity” as they “never gave up hope”.

Ms Hotovely added: “Everyone is eagerly looking forward to welcoming you back to the Spurs’ ground, Emily!”

In her first comments since being freed, Ms Damari said she was “the happiest in the world” and had “returned to life”.

Ms Damari’s mother Mandy, who grew up in Beckenham, south-east London, said in a statement on her release: “I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name.

Tottenham fans had rallied around Emily Damari who was released from Hamas captivity after 471 days

Emily Damari has thanked Spurs fans for their support after hostage ordeal

Mandy Damari

Josh Salisbury3 hours ago

A British-Israeli hostage who was shot in the hand and then taken captive by Hamas has thanked Tottenham Hotspur fans for their support of her.

Emily Damari, 28, was one of the first three hostages on Sunday after she spent 471 days in captivity under the terms of a ceasefire deal with Israel and the terror group after its attack of October 7, 2023.

Fans of the Premier League side had regularly shown their support for Ms Damari’s plight, as well as that of other hostages, by tying yellow ribbons around White Hart Lane and chanting ‘She’s one of our own’ at matches.

Emily Damari has thanked Spurs fans for their support after hostage ordeal

Mandy Damari

On Wednesday, Emily was pictured smiling and holding aloft a “Come on you Spurs” scarf as she thanked fans for their support.

Her mum, Mandy Damari, said: “I told Emily about all the Spurs fans who released yellow balloons and created a "She's one of our own" chant for her.

“She is so touched and we can't wait to join you again for a match. Let's keep going for the 94 remaining hostages, including 8 with British links.”

The message on behalf of Emily included a hand emoji with two of the fingers curled. Emily lost two fingers after being shot in the hand during her capture.

Her release alongside that of Romi Gonen, 24, and Doron Steinbrecher, 31, was the first of several planned over the next six weeks.

In return, 90 Palestinian prisoners were released.

In the first phase of the ceasefire deal, a total of 33 hostages will be released and around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners will be freed.

Hamas said it planned to release another four hostages on Saturday, but has not given their names.

There are several hostages with British ties among those still being held, including Eli Sharabi, who is on the list of 34 hostages to be released.

However, it is not known if he is still alive, with 34 of the 91 hostages still held by Hamas presumed dead.

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Spurs in crisis as fresh fitness issues compound Ange Postecoglou problems

Fresh blow: Dominic Solanke has suffered a knee injury at Tottenham

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Jonathan Gorrie20 seconds ago

Tottenham fell deeper into crisis over the course of the weekend.

A nightmare run for Ange Postecoglou continued on Sunday as his Spurs side fell to a dreadful 3-2 defeat away at a struggling Everton.

Spurs have now won just once in 10 Premier League games, their only victory coming against lowly Southampton.

They face another busy week too. Postecoglou’s side travel to Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday before hosting Leicester on Sunday.

While there may be deeper issues at play to explain such a poor run of form, the injury crisis at Spurs cannot be ignored.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Tottenham injuries.

Dominic Solanke

Star striker Dominic Solanke missed the Everton game after suffering a knee injury in training.

Speaking after the game, Postecoglou revealed Solanke was facing a “few weeks” out of action.

“He just sort of went to shoot on his own and sort of twisted it, so we don't think it's serious, but probably a few weeks at this stage from what I've heard,” revealed the Spurs boss.

Potential return date: Unknown

Brennan Johnson

Fellow forward Brennan Johnson was another to have missed the Toffees defeat, having suffered a strain during the north London derby defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.

“He did it in the second half against Arsenal the other night. So yeah, we're looking at three to four weeks,” added Postecoglou.

Potential return date: Unknown

Yves Bissouma

Key midfielder Yves Bissouma sat out of Sunday’s game, though Postecoglou revealed the Mali international could return for the Leicester game next weekend.

“Biss was a knock, we're hoping that he should be right by next weekend,” he said.

Potential return date: Sunday 26 January 2025 vs Leicester

Rodrigo Bentancur

While Rodrigo Bentancur assured Spurs fans he was “all good” after coming off against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg against Liverpool, the midfielder still has to go through concussions protocols.

Potential return date: January/February 2025

Fraser Forster

Back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster has surely lost his place to new signing Antonin Kinsky but is now back in training after illness.

Potential return date: January/February 2025

Timo Werner

Forward Timo Werner picked up a hamstring injury following the FA Cup win over Tamworth and is expected to miss around a month of action.

Potential return date: Unknown

Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven has been a huge miss for Tottenham

Action Images via Reuters

Micky van de Ven hasn’t played since the Carabao Cup win over Manchester City in October but is expected to return towards the end of January.

Earlier this month, Postecoglou hinted the Dutchman could return by the “back end” of this month.

Potential return date: January/February 2025

Cristian Romero

Fellow first-choice defender Cristian Romero is out with a quad injury having previously struggled with a foot problem.

Like Van de Ven, Romero is expected to return at the “back end of January.”

Potential return date: January/February 2025

Destiny Udogie

Destiny Udogie was forced off during the 2-2 draw with Wolves last month with a hamstring problem and was expected to miss around six weeks.

Potential return date: Unknown

Guglielmo Vicario

First choice goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario underwent surgery on a broken ankle sustained in the 4-0 win over Manchester City in November.

His return date remains unclear.

Potential return date: Unknown

Wilson Odobert

Summer signing Wilson Odobert has managed only six appearances for Spurs since joining from Burnley after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury back in November.

Potential return date: Unknown

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Struggling Tottenham have been left to stew on yet another demoralising loss after going down 3-2 at Goodison Park on Sunday. Sorry Spurs have now lost 12 of 22 Premier League matches in total this season following a nightmare first half on Merseyside, at the end of which they trailed 3-0 after an unfortunate Archie Gray own goal added to earlier efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Iliman Ndiaye.

Ange Postecoglou’s depleted side - who saw Dominic Solanke, Yves Bissouma and Brennan Johnson all added to an already lengthy injury list this week - did show some late spirit with goals from Dejan Kulusevski and former Everton forward Richarlison, setting up a nervy finish to stoppage time.

However, Everton were able to hold on for only their fourth top-flight win of the season and a first in the second tenure of returning manager David Moyes, whose side moved four points clear of the relegation zone. Spurs, meanwhile, have now won just one of their last 10 in the league and stay down in 15th, only eight points above the bottom three themselves. Follow Everton vs Tottenham reaction live below!

Spurs sweating over yet another injury as nightmare luck continues

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Dan Kilpatrick @ Dan_KP18 seconds ago

Ange Postecoglou is potentially juggling a new, huge injury concern ahead of Tottenham’s visit to Everton amid reports that Dominic Solanke has picked up a knee injury.

Reports on Saturday night emerged that the striker has been ruled out for the trip to Goodison Park after suffering an injury during training, and is now set for scans amid unconfirmed fears he faces weeks on the sidelines.

In his absence, captain Heung-min Son could lead the line while Richarlison, formerly of Everton, despite only recently returning from injury.

Solanke’s likely absence comes after Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma both picked up knocks during the midweek defeat to Arsenal.

Bissouma could be replaced in midfield by James Maddison, with Lucas Bergvall dropping into the No6 role.

In a rare piece of positive news, Ben Davies is set to return to the squad having been sidelined with a hamstring strain for six weeks, but a start against Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday is perhaps more likely for the Welshman.

Mikey Moore will be in the squad again but Postecoglou is likely to ease the youngster back in slowly.

Timo Werner is set for up to a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Rodrigo Bentancur (concussion), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Cristian Romero (calf), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (foot), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) are also still out.

Richarlison is set to feature for Tottenham against Everton

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Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison; Kulusevski, Richarlison, Son

Doubts: Johnson, Bissouma

Injured: Solanke, Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Bentancur, Vicario, Odobert, Forster

Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday January 19, 2025

TV channel: Sky Sports

Venue: Goodison Park

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Spurs looking to get back on track in the Premier League following Arsenal defeat

Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly was arguably the story of Wednesday's north London derby, producing a coming-of-age display in his side's 2-1 win, but Tottenham pair Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, also 18, were standout players on the night, too.

Gray, who is deputising out-of-position at centre-back, and Bergvall, as well as 24-year-old Djed Spence, have been rays of light in Spurs' gloomy midwinter, going from bit-part players early in the season to regular starters across a number of positions.

Gray's ability to fill-in at the heart of defence has been enormous for Ange Postecoglou, while Bergvall arrived at Spurs as an attacking midfielder but impressed at No6 in the second half at the Emirates – and is likely to continue in a deeper role for Sunday's visit to Everton.

They were both impressive at the Emirates, even as Spurs slipped to a sixth league defeat in nine games. The teenage pair are also emerging as unlikely leaders in a squad which appears short of influential senior players, particularly with one of Postecoglou's vice-captains, Cristian Romero, injured and the other, James Maddison, in and out of the side.

"Our young players are certainly standing up," Postecoglou said ahead of the visit to Goodison Park. "Leadership can come in all forms and maybe it will be the young ones that do get us through, there’s no reason why they can’t.

“That’s the message I’ve been giving back to them, whatever it takes and whoever stands up in these moments, don’t wait for somebody else. If you feel like it’s going to be you, then you take that moment."

Postecoglou is not just enamoured by the way Gray and Bergvall are playing for Spurs – taking responsibility and refusing to hide in difficult moments and, in the Swede's case, scoring the winner in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool – but the way they are behaving, too.

"Leading by example and also their voices," the Australian added. "I try to encourage that as much as I can. Sometimes when you’re a young player or a new player you feel like it isn’t your place. I always think that in the best environments, people feel comfortable enough about speaking up that they just do it.

"They don’t worry about whether they’re the youngest or they’ve just arrived. They just feel like it’s the right thing to do. We need everyone to step up."

Postecoglou has also seen growth from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski this season but the emergence of Gray and Bergvall as influential figures on the pitch and in the dressing room has further highlighted the influence (or lack of) of Spurs' senior stars, which has felt like an issue in their difficult season.

It was easy to wonder again about their leadership at the Emirates as the visitors squandered yet another lead, conceding twice in four minutes before the interval, especially as Yves Bissouma, 27, their second-oldest player on the pitch after captain Heung-min Son, lost possession in the build-up to the winner.

The return of Ben Davies, 31, this weekend should help, while Richarlison, 27, is set for more minute against his former club after a long-awaited return from injury against Arsenal. But Postecoglou has admitted Spurs are short of established leaders.

"Whenever you’re in a situation like ours, my experience tells me you do need the ones who’ve maybe been through the tougher times to lead you through it," he said. "There’s no doubt about it.

"So that’s what we’re looking at. Now we don’t have a lot in that bracket to be fair. If you look at the other night [at Arsenal], especially.

"But the ones who do, whether that’s Sonny or Madders, or Ben who’s back now and Dom to a certain extent, although it’s his first year at the club. Maybe a Bissouma, we don’t have a great deal of experience to lean on in these times, but, certainly, for us to get through it, it’s going to need some leadership."

Postecoglou has previously said Spurs will not attempt to buy experience but instead develop leadership in young players. He reiterated on Friday that the priority this month is to bring in "able bodies" – suggesting the club will target younger signings who are capable of featuring at a high intensity every three days.

"What we need right now is some able bodies who can help us get through this period," he said. "That’s more important [than experience] because every game we have close to double-digit absences and we need to try and get some help to get through that."

The head coach has consistently promised that Spurs will be better for their brutal injury crisis and grim run of results in the long-term, and the rapid development of both Gray and Bergvall suggests he may be proved right.

Spurs look to bounce back from derby defeat but injury list still significant

Lucas Bergvall could start in a deeper midfield role

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Dan Kilpatrick @ Dan_KP49 seconds ago

Ange Postecoglou has two fresh injury concerns for Sunday's visit to Everton, with Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma both doubts following the mid-week defeat to Arsenal.

Bissouma could be replaced in midfield by James Maddison, with Lucas Bergvall dropping into the No6 role, while Johnson is dealing with a calf issue.

Ben Davies is set to return to the squad having been sidelined with a hamstring strain since the defeat at Bournemouth at the beginning of last month but a start against Hoffenheim in the Europa League on Thursday is perhaps more likely for the Welshman.

Richarlison and Mikey Moore will be in the squad again but Postecoglou is likely to ease the pair back in slowly, meaning Dejan Kulusevski, Heung-min Son and Dominic Solanke will probably continue in the front three.

Timo Werner is set for up to a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Rodrigo Bentancur (concussion), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Cristian Romero (calf), Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (foot), Wilson Odobert (hamstring) are also still out.

Predicted Tottenham XI (4-3-3): Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bergvall, Sarr, Maddison; Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Doubts: Johnson, Bissouma

Injured: Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Bentancur, Vicario, Odobert

Time and date: 2pm GMT on Sunday January 19, 2025

TV channel: Sky Sports

Venue: Goodison Park

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Spurs looking to get back on track in the Premier League following Arsenal defeat

Sport | Football

Arsenal vs Tottenham: North London derby prediction, kick-off time, team news, TV, live stream, h2h, odds

Spurs looking to pile misery on north London rivals as pressure builds

North London derby comes at crucial stage of season for both clubs

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Matt Verri29 seconds ago

Arsenal are tonight looking to make a statement as they host Tottenham in the north London derby.

The Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup on Sunday after defeat to 10-man Manchester United, while their Carabao Cup hopes are hanging by a thread following Newcastle’s 2-0 win in north London in the first leg of that semi-final tie.

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW ARSENAL VS TOTTENHAM LIVE!

Mikel Arteta’s side have lost their form in front of goal and have little margin for error if they are to chase down Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

It is a huge occasion and one Tottenham will be eyeing as a chance for a rare win on enemy soil.

Spurs were poor in the FA Cup, needing extra time to edge past non-league Tamworth, but they were hugely impressive before that in beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup to boost their own trophy hopes.

Consistency has been a problem, though, and they will be wary of an Arsenal side with a point to prove in front of their home fans.

Tottenham will be desperate to pile further pressure on Arsenal and Mikel Arteta

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Date, kick-off time and venue

Arsenal vs Tottenham is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off time tonight on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.

The Emirates Stadium in London will host.

Where to watch Arsenal vs Tottenham

TV channel: The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1. Coverage begins at 6:30pm.

Live stream: Subscribers will be able to watch on a live stream via the Discovery+ app.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings and Dan Kilpatrick at the ground.

Arsenal vs Tottenham team news

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard, Sterling, Havertz

Subs: Neto, Tierney, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Jorginho, Merino, Butler-Oyedeji, Kabia, Martinelli

Tottenham XI: Kinsky, Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence, Bissouma, Sarr, Bergvall, Kulusevski, Solanke, Son

Subs: Austin, Hardy, Reguilon, Olusesi, Maddison, Moore, Johnson, Richarlison, Lankshear

Arsenal vs Tottenham prediction

Arsenal have been so poor in front of goal recently, but this could be the kind of match they need to get the attack firing again.

Spurs will not sit back in a low block and there will be space on offer for the Gunners - the question is whether the hosts can take those chances.

Confidence is fairly low in both camps and it promises to be a nervy affair, but Arsenal’s more reliable defence could prove to be the difference.

Arsenal to win, 2-1.

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Head to head (h2h) history and results

Spurs have won only one of the last eight matches between the two sides, with their last victory at the Emirates in the Premier League coming in 2010.

Arsenal wins: 88

Draws: 55

Tottenham wins: 67

Arsenal vs Tottenham latest odds

Arsenal to win: 4/11

Draw: 4/1

Tottenham to win: 6/1

Odds via Betfair and subject to change.

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