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Why Spurs will overcome Sevilla and stamp their name on Europe

The Spanish club may be riding high in La Liga, but the north Londoners have nothing to fear. Sevilla's style of play may actually suit Tottenham.

by midnightjester on 19 March 2007

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Michael Dawson: He'll lead Tottenham's defence (Gettyimages.com)

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Sevilla, second to Barcelona in Spain on goal difference and current holders of the UEFA Cup, face a side from Tottenham showing skill and guile for the first time in... hell, long before satellite television and my joy at getting to see every game in England.

This is different from any game in the Premiership. Freddie Kanoute's languid style is much suited to the game in Spain - more so than the English game. When we play in Seville, their slower style, more based on skill and less on pace should actually suit Spurs. There was a reason why Spurs kept form in Europe when they couldn't find a win in England a- nd that is that the skill and guile of Tottenham is ever-present even if the desire has been erratic in the past.

The last round showed a Tottenham very much in the driving seat against European competition and the only thing that can keep them from winning is a shoddy defence. Without Ledley King, Michael Dawson will lead the defence, something he has been doing confidently. But with Ricardo Rocha cup-tied it is the lightly injured Anthony Gardner who is the best bet to fill the gap, despite his lacking a top defender's mindset.

The last round saw the end of the other British challengers. Newcastle were unlucky to draw a giant like AZ Alkmaar for the last 16 and anyone, even the mighty Barcelona, would have been cowed by a team with such a list of stars and quality players. I understand that there is just no way to cope with household names like Shota Arveladze in front of a packed stadium of 17,023 in the famous metropolis of Alkmaar.

So it is Martin Jol's men against Sevilla and Tottenham will, no doubt, find attack the best form of defence. They will use Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon and Dimitar Berbatov to take the pressure off the defence. Even then they will, no doubt, have to employ the returning Tottenham tradition of "just score one more than them" - a task they seem to be relishing.

If Sevilla are to be put to the proverbial sword then only injuries to key personnel will be stop this Tottenham side from being crowned UEFA Cup champions.

Can Spurs go all the way? Send your views to Sportingo..

Comments (5)

by KP on March 19, 2007

...But I think you are underestimating Sevilla. They are a tough side, not the languid, pretty-boys you suggest. They could easily out-muscle us in midfield, and have the ability to pick passes through croded defences. Infact midfiield is their strength, despite the media hype around Kanoute's goals (he actually isnt held in especially high regard in Spain...he was flavour of the month for a while but that has passed now). My worry is that Sevilla are not disimilar to the Arse team we struggled so badly against in the UEFA Cup. Energetic, good at keeping the ball and threading passes through the CB's. That, coupled with the sheer number of games we are having to play, makes me somewhat pessimistic about the tie. To be absolutely honest, I think we'll lose both legs. Fingers crossed I'm wrong!

by max saunders on March 19, 2007

spurs will win the europe his year and the inceredible first touch of dimitar berbratov and the pace and skill of aaron lennon will be the key to success!!!!!!!

by patcook on March 20, 2007

Sevilla will win on aggregate by 3 goals is my tip. they won last year so they have much more experience individually and as a team in the latter stages than tottenham. Plus look at their league performances in their respective league. As for the english style being better than the spanish style hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha I think England showed at the world cup just how superior their style of football was to everyone elses. And yes i know spain did worse but i think neither style proved to be superior and i think this game will come down to tactics and individual class so sevilla easily.

by Decepticon on March 29, 2007

We'll do 'em - no doubt. It'll be a toughish test, but I've watched them a few times and don't see anything to be afraid of within their game. They're a competent enough side, but I was more wary of the Premiership teams. As long as we keep playing in the style that has served us admirably so far in this competition I see no reason for pessimism.