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Tottenham Hotspur were unable to find a winning goal as they were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, with the result extending their unbeaten home run in Europe to 19 matches.

This was the first European knockout meeting between these two sides since the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1982, in which Spurs won the first leg 2-0 at home.

That scoreline wasn’t going to be repeated here, however, as Frankfurt broke the deadlock with their first attack of the match inside six minutes.

James Maddison was dispossessed by Ellyes Skhiri before the Tunisian whipped the ball out to Hugo Ekitike, who cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable effort into the far corner for his 20th goal of the season.

Ange Postecoglou’s men responded well after falling behind, as Dominic Solanke saw a header comfortably gathered by Kaua Santos before Brennan Johnson headed inches over the bar at the back post.

Spurs’ pressure paid off in the 26th minute when Solanke picked out Maddison in the box, and the midfielder squared to Pedro Porro, who brilliantly flicked the ball in with his heel.

The hosts finished the half on top but were unable to net again to leave the contest finely poised at the break.

Both sides started the second half brightly, with Destiny Udogie and Jean-Matteo Bahoya both getting into promising positions at either end, but last-ditch blocks prevented chances on goal.

It was quickly becoming an end-to-end affair, yet Spurs were having the better openings, as Lucas Bergvall rocked the crossbar with a powerful effort from distance before Son Heung-min saw a shot turned behind for a corner by a strong hand from Santos.

From the resulting corner, Rodrigo Bentancur crashed a header onto the crossbar as Frankfurt’s goal continued to live a charmed life.

The hosts continued to probe for a second goal with Maddison next to go close, but Santos again stood tall and saved well. It was one-way traffic for much of the second half as Bentancur was once again picked out from a corner, but the Frankfurt shot stopper made another save.

In the end, neither side was able to find the second goal, with Die Adler perhaps grateful to be taking a result back to Deutsche Bank Park next week having been on the end of an onslaught in the second period.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Kaua Santos (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou has spoken to the press ahead of their Europa League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt.

After losing in the EFL Cup semi-finals to Liverpool, being knocked out of the FA Cup by Aston Villa and having no chance at the Premier League title, everything is gearing towards the Europa League to save Spurs’ season. Postecoglou can still deliver a trophy within that two-year window as he first spoke on team news.

"Everyone's good from the weekend from a physical standpoint," the Tottenham boss said.

"That's a good place for us to be at. There haven't been many occasions that have happened this year."

Postecoglou then moved on to speculation surrounding his future and how even if the club succeeds, many will still be pessimistic about the future of the club.

“I just think we're in that position now where even the good stuff we do is going to be turned into a glass-half-empty rhetoric.

“I came to this club with a clear purpose of rejuvenating a squad that was coming to the end of a cycle. Whatever noise there is, now or in the future, that shouldn't diminish that desire. Everything in my professional life has come through a struggle.”

Next, he emphasised the importance of the home support going into their Europa League clash as they attempt to book their place in the semi-finals.

"It's hugely important. With every European game, whether you are watching last night or tonight, the atmosphere makes a big impact. It's a big part of European football. A lot of teams that have success in Europe are on the back of a really strong home atmosphere.

"We hope it's the same for us tomorrow. We hope we can get the crowd going again.

"We have had nice atmospheres at home this year. The European nights have been good and the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool was good. We need that again tomorrow night.

"It's a big part of helping the clubs get an advantage in what are always tight ties."

He then opened up on Thursday night's opponents and how fans must cherish such an occasion that does not come around too often.

"I am not sure how many times the club has been in the quarter-finals of a European competition. So every time you get in there, you cannot take it for granted and you want to make the most of it.

"It's going to be a tough game tomorrow. Frankfurt are a good side and are going well in the Bundesliga. They got a mixture of exciting young players but also some experience in there.

"It will be a good challenge but when you get to the last eight of European competition, that's what you expect to face."

Finally, he spoke on the incident between Brennan Johnson and Mathys Tel as both players went to take the penalty against Southampton at the weekend.

"We scored, we won. Delighted. It's incredible. If we're 2-1 up and we get a penalty in the last minute, I want our best penalty taker to take it.

"The one slight against this club is that it hasn't been a winner. The winners' mentality in the last minute is to score. We scored and somehow, in this alternate universe, everything Tottenham does is negative.

"Be as it may, I was delighted. Really pleased with how the players handled it."

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said Sunday’s home game against bottom side Southampton could be the springboard needed for their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt four days later.

Spurs battered Saints 5-0 in the reverse fixture in December, but their inconsistency has had them slip up against lower-ranked sides, including a 3-2 defeat by Everton and a 2-1 home loss to Leicester City in January.

With Spurs languishing in 14th in the Premier League standings and European qualification through the league looking unlikely, the Europa League has taken on added importance for the London club.

Winning the Europa League could also help under-pressure Postecoglou's relationship with Spurs supporters, some of whom booed his substitution decisions during their 1-0 loss at Chelsea on Thursday.

"Irrespective of people's feelings right now I don't think there will be a Tottenham supporter out there who doesn't want to win the Europa League. The home game in the Europa League is going to be important," the Australian told reporters on Friday.

"I thought our build-up play (at Stamford Bridge) was really good but final third play could have been cleaner and clinical. Wilson (Odobert) and Dom (Dominic Solanke) have missed a chunk of the season.

"I saw enough to build on that and Sunday is a good opportunity to do that and get to the levels we need for the Europa."

Postecoglou added that his side are in good shape physically, and that defender Micky van de Ven - who was cramping after playing 88 minutes for the first time since returning from injury - should be fine to play on Sunday.

"We need to gain some momentum. We will make a couple of changes but not too many," Postecoglou said when asked if he would rotate the squad against Frankfurt.

The Australian conceded it was a mistake to cup his ear to Spurs fans after Pape Sarr's goal, later disallowed by VAR, having earlier downplayed suggestions he was showing frustration towards the supporters.

"My mistake was celebrating a goal, VAR defeated me, I won't be doing that again," he added.

Tottenham Hotspur's spending in the transfer market must be smart and sustainable, Chairman Daniel Levy said as the Premier League club on Monday announced a fall in revenue on top of mounting challenges on the pitch.

Spurs' revenue fell 4% for the year ending June 2024 from 549.6 million pounds ($709.53 million) in the previous year to 528.2 million, while the club reduced losses after tax, with a deficit of 26.2 million pounds from 86.8 million in 2023.

Levy, who has been criticised by fans for not spending enough on the squad, defended his investment in players while reiterating Tottenham's need to be financially sustainable.

"Since opening our new stadium in April 2019, we have invested over 700 million pounds net in player acquisitions," Levy said in a club statement released on Monday.

"Recruitment remains a key focus, and we must ensure that we make smart purchases within our financial means.

"I often read calls for us to spend more, given that we are ranked as the ninth richest club in the world. However, a closer examination of today's financial figures reveals that such spending must be sustainable in the long term and within our operating revenues.

"Our capacity to generate recurring revenues determines our spending power. We cannot spend what we do not have, and we will not compromise the financial stability of this club."

Key to the fall in revenue was a drop in UEFA prize money, as the north London club earned 1.3 million pounds in 2024 compared to 56.2 million the previous year due to their absence from European competition.

While television revenues rose from 148.1 million pounds to 165.9 million, matchday revenue fell from 117.6 million pounds to 105.8 million due to the drop in the number of matches.

Levy labelled the 2024-25 season on the field as "highly challenging", with Spurs languishing 14th in the Premier League.

The team's hopes of ending a 17-year trophy drought rest on their Europa League campaign, where they are set to face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals this month.

AZ manager Maarten Martens knows Tottenham Hotspur will play to save their season when the two sides meet on Thursday evening in the UEFA Europa League.

The Dutch side beat Spurs 1-0 in Alkmaar after Swedish midfielder Lucas Bergvall worked the ball into his own net. AZ had less of the ball but produced better chances, almost leaving Spurs lucky with a narrow loss.

AZ and Tottenham met once before this season when the Premier League side won 1-0 during the Europa League's league phase. The Lilywhites will have to replicate some of that form to save their season with a thirteenth spot in the Premier League leaving Spurs 13 points adrift of the European spots.

"We know their style of play, we have had the pleasure of experiencing it twice already," AZ manager Maarten Martens said during the pre-match press conference.

Spurs showed last Sunday that they can bounce back from a deficit, drawing 2-2 to Bournemouth after being 2-0 down in the 65th minute. "They have resilience. They will show that again against us," Martens continued.

Full focus

Martens will have to do without Mayckel Lahdo and Denso Kasius in North London as the two recover from injuries. Sven Mijnans and Ro-Zangelo Daal will also miss the away game, while Jayden Addai isn't fit enough to start yet.

Positive news came in the form of the return of Mexx Meerdink - the striker has netted seven goals so far this season, six of which came in the 74th minute or later. "He can boost the team by coming on," said Martens.

AZ and Martens face league leaders Ajax this Sunday in the Eredivisie. The Belgian has no interest in that game yet, however. "You always have to look at the big picture. This is now the next game and a very important one. The full focus is on Tottenham."

In the 2000s, there weren’t many more influential players in the NBA than point guard Steve Nash. Speaking exclusively on Flashscore’s flagship Czech podcast, Livesport Daily, he gives us his opinion on the biggest trade this season, the legacy of Dirk Nowitzki as well as his relationship with Tottenham Hotspur.

Nash was one of the most productive point guards of his generation, and despite his ‘diminutive’ size for the NBA, standing at 1.91 metres didn’t stop him being named the league’s MVP twice, a feat made all the more impressive given they were back-to-back.

The hall-of-famer inspired many that didn’t fit the stereotype of a modern player and one of those now making waves is Slovenian star Luka Doncic.

His move from the Dallas Mavericks to the LA Lakers was a jaw-dropping moment in January and one that took Nash himself by surprise.

He explained: “I think everybody was shocked. They clearly did an incredible job, especially in today's age of keeping it quiet.

“It definitely changes the landscape of the NBA and the Western Conference. And, you know, even the next 10 years, having one of the best players in the game go to the Lakers.”

He added: “You have a young player entering his prime and hopefully going to stay there for a minimum of five to hopefully 10 years.

“That's the part that is the most difficult part of the equation, because regardless of how it goes, luck is involved in all these things, but to get a star of his quality at his age is remarkable for the Lakers.”

Since moving to the Lakers, Doncic has had an impact, winning their last five games. His individual numbers are slightly down on his stats from his time in Dallas this season.

That will be the adjustment to the new side, but Nash believes, despite the uptick in form for the Lakers, that this trade doesn’t automatically make them favourites to win it all come the playoffs.

The former Laker mused: “I think they have a chance. They've opened the door to be a contender, but there's so much they have to sort out.

“You know, they're just starting to play together. You have two players that are actually quite similar. LeBron (James) and Luka, they both are playmaking forwards.

“They kind of are point forwards. So trying to make all those pieces fit, trying to get their defense solid. You know, they're a little thin at the center position, but they have great positional size.

“…(I am) very interested to see, and I think they definitely could play themselves into contention, but I think it's really early to say that when we haven't seen it at least for a few weeks to see maybe some light, some understanding, some connectivity, but there's a chance.

“I think like that, that underestimates how difficult it is in a short period of time to find that connection and commonality and understanding and way to play.”

Moving on from the court

As well as playing for the Lakers, Nash had his most successful seasons with the Phoenix Suns - the place where he won his two MVP awards. After retiring, the celebrated player did not leave the sport, taking up positions with the Canadian national side and the Golden State Warriors before becoming the head coach at the Brooklyn Nets.

Never far away from the court, Nash valued his time inside the Warriors’ organisation as he moved away from his playing days.

Speaking about his time with Golden State, he said: “I really enjoyed watching, listening, sharing, and helping where I was asked that group. So really great opportunity for me to see, you know, a special moment in time in our league where a team kind of emerged playing smaller, shooting more threes, and were very influential in the game. So, yeah, but definitely incredible times for me to experience with that group of people.

“But again, like I said, when you work with incredible human beings, you know, I think the experience is better and the potential is higher because the character is so integral to developing, to growing, to improving, to adapting. So they definitely had that kind of humble confidence to continue to adapt and face, you know, whatever their challenges were.”

One of the stars of that team continues to be Steph Curry. The four-time NBA champion has been one of the icons of the sport during the last 15 years, and at 36 is showing very few signs of slowing down.

Nash, who worked with Curry during his time at the Warriors, feels that Curry, despite all the accolades he has received over the years, is still not lauded as much as he should be.

Speaking about Curry’s place amongst the game’s greats, Nash pondered: “I think in some ways he's underappreciated. You know, his impact on the game, the way he was able to be an MVP and a champion in a new way, shooting impossible shots at a high percentage, the way he impacts defenses even when he doesn't have the ball, like, it's remarkable.

“At the same time, you know, he's not physically imposing like some of the other great players. You know, he's not 6'9", like Magic (Johnson) or (Larry) Bird. He's not a 7'0" dominant center like some we've had.

“And he's not like an elite explosive athlete like Michael Jordan or Kobe. So it's hard to say where he stacks up, but I will say that his impact is way, way up there with almost anyone who's ever played the game. I think his maximising of his talent is just incredible.”

European legends

Nash is not your typical NBA player in more ways than just his height. Born in South Africa, raised in Canada with a British father, Nash has one of the more unique back-stories in the sport. Alongside Doncic, a Slovenian, there are plenty of non-US players now making a splash in the sport.

He played alongside Dirk Nowitzki - a German-born forward - at Dallas. Nowitzki was seen as a pioneer for European basketball players moving to the NBA and an inspiration for the likes of Doncic and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic.

Having been a teammate of Nowitzki, Nash believes the ‘Dunking Deutschman’ has created a defining legacy on the league.

Speaking about his former teammate, Nash said: “He's had a big influence on European or foreign players, but also just on the game in general, you know, like, you know, he's one of the key guys in this revolution of having five shooters on the floor.

“Those things were partly cemented by his success in showing a generation that you don't have to fit the traditional positional profile. I think everyone came in the league and they said, well, he's a seven-footer who can't really post well, but he can shoot, he can post up on the mid posts from the elbows. He can isolate and always get a shot from the nail or the mid-range areas.

“He was an incredible closer. So it was a different way to finish games too, with a player like that, who wasn't in the post or wasn't on the perimeter, but kind of took mid-range spaces and was able to isolate and look over the defense. It got you leaning one way or the other, he was up in the air and it's such a high release, you know, it was devastating.

“So I think he had a big impact on the game. And I think he's definitely influenced a lot of young players, especially taller kids that, you know, maybe didn't feel comfortable in the post and what's happened now. You know, we don't really post up anymore unless you're one or two or three people or you got a mismatch.”

Since leaving the court, Nash has been busy in other sports too. A lifelong Tottenham Hotspur fan, he has also become a part-owner of LaLiga club Real Mallorca

Following Spurs has given him moments to cherish alongside his storied career, but how do they match up emotionally?

“I definitely cried on TV in America when Spurs beat Ajax in the semi-final of the Champions League, which was embarrassing. I think in that moment, I don't know if you remember the game, Lucas Moura scored a hat-trick to come back to win in Amsterdam. And, you know, the dramatic nature of it, honestly, I love, love my club, but I never really thought I'd see Spurs in a Champions League final.

“And so to realise it in a dramatic fashion like that, I think it also was nostalgic for just, you know, my dad, my brother, my grandfather, my cousins, like, you know, what it means and how it's connected us all for, for, you know, 50 years now. It was very emotional in that respect, but I never thought about or never really was conscious of, like, how you would feel because there's this thing that's tied you all together throughout your life. So, yeah, it got, got, got quite emotional there.

“In the NBA, once or twice, you know, you get emotional and not quite making the finals, losing in the, in the conference finals, feeling like you let your team down as the leader and not finding a way, not even playing well, but not finding a way. And that could be quite emotional as well. So, yeah, long live sport, you know, it's great.”

Listen to the full interview with Nash right here.

After AZ punched their ticket for the UEFA Europa League round of 16, the Alkmaar side will look to continue their fine European form in England.

The fifth-placed Eredivisie side impressed against Turkish giants Galatasaray, beating them 4-1 in Alkmaar before limiting the damage in Istanbul with a 2-2 draw.

In their first UEFA Europa League round of 16 appearances since the 2013/14 season, AZ will face Tottenham Hotspur.

The Cheeseheads just recently met Tottenham Hotspur in October, narrowly losing 1-0 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to a Richarlison penalty.

AZ avoided Manchester United in Friday's draw. AZ and Manchester United had only met twice before - during the 2019/20 Europa League season. AZ held the Red Devils to a 0-0 draw in Alkmaar but lost 4-0 at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur have been struggling this season with the team currently in 12th place in the Premier League. However, Spurs finished fourth in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League, earning them automatic qualification for the round of 16.

The draw will see Tottenham Hotspur academy product Troy Parrott face the club he represented for seven years before leaving on a permanent transfer to the Eredivisie side in the summer of 2024. The Irishman appeared in four games for the Spurs in the 2019/20 season before getting loaned out to Millwall, Ipswich Town, MK Dons, Preston North End, and Dutch side Excelsior.

AZ and Tottenham Hotspur will play their round of 16 matches on March 6th and 13th. The two sides will open their tie in Alkmaar before playing the deciding leg in North London.

Tottenham Hotspur suffered their first defeat in this season's Europa League at Galatasaray on Thursday and manager Ange Postecoglou (59) put the blame on a disappointing opening-half performance.

Spurs went to Istanbul on the back of three wins from three in the competition, but by half-time they were 3-1 down and ended up losing 3-2.

"Obviously, disappointing result. First half wasn't great, we just didn't handle things well at all," Postecoglou told reporters.

"Particularly with the ball, just really wasteful and gave it away way too many times, unnecessarily. That allows them to get a foothold in the areas that they're good at.

"I think that first half ultimately cost us the game and disappointing for us."

Spurs were punished for sloppy defending against a side which boasts the attacking talents of Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens and Victor Osimhen, who netted twice.

"They got some good players in the front third and we just allowed that to happen way too often and ultimately paid a price for it," Postecoglou said.

"Because I thought, you know we always finish strongly and I knew we would in the second half."

That second half got even tougher when Spurs went down to 10 men after the sending-off of Will Lankshear, who had earlier scored his first goal for the club, but they did manage to pull a goal back through Dominic Solanke.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou (59) is solely focused on the task at hand and not getting distracted by the Premier League table at this stage of the season, he said after his side came back from behind to crush Aston Villa 4-1 on Sunday.

Two second-half goals from new signing Dominic Solanke and a sublime James Maddison free-kick helped the home side make a comeback and overwhelm sixth-placed Villa, who were on a seven-match unbeaten run in the league.

Spurs climbed to seventh in the league on 16 points, two fewer than Villa.

"Yeah potentially, I don't spend too much time thinking about it," Postecoglou told reporters when asked if there is a more open field for Champions League qualification spots this campaign.

"But it looks like there's a lot more congestion in terms of the field itself. Some of that I think is just the attrition rate of players at the moment, which is making it hard for teams to get into smooth water, so to speak.

"The table is only important for me at the end of the year. While we're running in the race, I don't like looking either side of me.

"I keep saying to the players: if I was a racehorse, and I'm not, it would be one with blinkers. I'm just looking at the finish line."

Spurs' struggles to defend set-pieces continued when Villa's Morgan Rogers poked home from a yard out after Lucas Digne's corner was flicked on into the six-yard box.

"Yeah, look, we conceded from a set-piece. I know I'm on my own on this, I don't like them. To me... it looks like a (rugby) scrum. I just don't think that's what football's about," he said.

"But it's part of football these days, where you can just drop the ball in the box and people can fight over it. So disappointing for us to concede from that, but in general I thought we handled their set pieces really well.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has urged his side to shed their reputation for inconsistency by proving they can be "relentless" in their pursuit of success.

The north Londoners' habit of failing to fulfil their potential and wasting promising positions, both in matches and throughout seasons, has been dubbed "Spursy" by frustrated fans.

Tottenham, trophyless since 2008, have stuck stubbornly to that script in the first two seasons of Postecoglou's reign.

They blew a golden opportunity to qualify for the Champions League last season and have made an erratic start to the current campaign.

Postecoglou's men squandered a 2-0 advantage in a 3-2 loss at Brighton in their last game before the international break.

It was the 10th time Tottenham had taken a lead of two goals or more and subsequently lost in the Premier League era.

Saturday's London derby against West Ham will bring painful memories of the team blowing a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 in 2020.

But while Postecoglou described the criticism as "irrelevant", he acknowledged the only way to change it is with success.

"You say it's 10 times but it hasn't been 10 times with me so give me a break. Let me get to 10 and then start putting tags on, but you have to accept that, right?" the Australian told reporters on Friday.

"People will always find easy ways, if you've got a wound, to stick their finger in that wound and if you're not prepared to accept that when things haven't gone well, make sure things go well.

"There is one way to change that. If we want to change the perception of ourselves, it will not come because of, 'please don't call us those names', it will come because we're proving we're a team that can be relentless in our approach and be successful."

Postecoglou jokingly said he was ready to "explode" when Tottenham's players returned from international duty for his debrief about the Brighton debacle.

But the film session would have made for uncomfortable viewing for Postecoglou's team, judging by his frustrated summary of ninth-placed Tottenham's third defeat in seven league games this season.

"The second half was more around we just didn't look anything like ourselves. We were really passive with and without the ball. We lacked real conviction and courage in everything we did," he said.