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Bodo/Glimt sporting director Havard Sakariassen has described his team as a group of “mates” but warned Tottenham they can spring another shock and become the first Norwegian club into a European final.

Lazio, Olympiacos and Twente have already succumbed in this season’s Europa League to the side from the small town of Bodo inside the Arctic Circle.

Next up are Spurs in the last four and Thursday’s first leg at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Bodo’s entire population of 55,000 could fit into the ground with plenty of room to spare, but Sakariassen believes the tight-knit team, who were in the second tier eight years ago, can upset the odds, especially given their growth since Arsenal beat them twice in 2022.

“We’re behind the manager 100 per cent. He’s a great man. I come into work every day and see the lads listening, taking on the messages how he wants to play and the coaches and trying to do what’s best for this club.

“We’re in a very good position in Europe where we can still have a special season under his management.”

“No one in the whole club from top to bottom can be satisfied with where we are. It definitely hurts. I had to do an interview at Liverpool on Sunday and we have lost 5-1. It’s a little bit embarrassing, I’m a bit embarrassed myself and you have to go and talk.

“I know no one actually wants to hear what I have got to say because they want to see the reaction and get the reaction – and that is the chance we have on Thursday night.

“Then in seven days time we have got another massive game and if we get through that, we are in a European final so there are positives there, but we have got to go and do it and show them we are just as hungry as they are to win something.”

James Maddison has been left hurt by the latest “embarrassing” chapter in Tottenham’s Premier League campaign, but stressed the inner drive of everyone at the club to reward the fanbase with Europa League success.

A much-changed Spurs side suffered a 5-1 thrashing at Liverpool on Sunday and in the process tasted defeat for a record-equalling 19th time in the division this season.

Tottenham have not experienced so many losses in a Premier League campaign since 2004 and while more unwanted records could tumble, Ange Postecoglou’s squad still have the chance to win a first trophy in 17 years, with Bodo/Glimt set to visit in a Europa League last-four first-leg tie on Thursday.

“I’ve seen people trying to diminish it in some respect. I’ve heard people say, ‘well it’s the equivalent of Man United winning the FA Cup’. No it ain’t. I’m sorry. Not on any world is it the equivalent.

“Others are suggesting we are not worthy of the Champions League. Again, things that are designed to diminish what’s ahead of us, which is an unbelievable opportunity. Irrespective of how this season has gone we have generations of fans who want this more than anything else, a special moment watching this football club.

“Look, this season could have gone very differently and we could be flying in the league but it wouldn’t make this opportunity any different. The opportunity is the same and I’ve made that clear to the players. What we have before us is a semi-final in a European competition and the opportunity to win a trophy and get Champions League football.”

Ange Postecoglou has hit back at people who he says are trying to “diminish” Tottenham’s bid to reach the Europa League final and rejected comparisons with Erik ten Hag winning the FA Cup with Manchester United last season.

Spurs face Bodo/Glimt in the semi-finals and will host the first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night as they look to reach a European final and win their first trophy since 2008.

Postecoglou is under pressure as a result of Tottenham’s poor Premier League campaign, with Spurs 16th and Sunday’s 5-1 defeat at Liverpool their 19th of the league season, but said the club have an “unbelievable opportunity” in Europe.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min missed training ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Bodo/Glimt.

Son has not featured for Spurs since a 1-1 draw with Eintracht Frankfurt on April 10 due to a foot injury, but head coach Ange Postecoglou expressed hope last week that the South Korea forward could return for the visit of Bodo.

The absence of Son from training the day before the last-four first leg makes the 32-year-old a serious doubt to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he could even struggle to make the return encounter in Norway next week.

Son has scored 11 goals in 43 appearances this season, but none from open play since January 23 – a run of 15 club matches.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min remains out with a foot injury and he will play no part in the first leg. A much-changed Spurs side lost 5-1 at Anfield and Postecoglou is likely to revert to a stronger team, with Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero and Dejan Kulusevski to be recalled.

Bodo/Glimt will be without captain Patrick Berg, who is suspended alongside Hakon Evjen and Andreas Helmersen. Centre-back Odin Bjortuft could miss out due to injury.

The Europa League semi-final first leg will take place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday 1 May. Kick-off is at 8pm BST.

It will be shown live on TNT Sports 2, with coverage getting underway from 7pm. Subscribers can also stream the match live on Discovery+.

Tottenham Hotspur continue their quest for a first major trophy in 17 years as they host underdogs Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League semi-final first leg.

Ange Postecoglou’s side lost for the 19th time in the Premier League this season with a 5-1 defeat at Liverpool on Sunday but the club is focused on Europe.

And success in the Europa League would make up for a hugely disappointing campaign, with Spurs showing steel to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

Bodo/Glimt are the surprise package, with the Norwegian champions defying expectations to knock out Lazio in the quarter-finals.

It could be very difficult for Tottenham next week as Postecoglou’s side face a trip to the Arctic Circle, so seizing home advantage will be vital.