Tottenham watch 8 Europa League rivals crash out of the competition, including Galatasaray
Tottenham Hotspur has closely watched the Europa League playoff round conclude, with eight teams bowing out of the competition, including several high-profile clubs.
Despite Tottenham’s inconsistent performances in the Premier League, where they find themselves in the bottom half of the table, their European campaign has remained promising.
Under Ange Postecoglou, the team secured a top-eight finish in the League phase, ensuring automatic progression to the next round and avoiding the fatigue of additional playoff matches. This advantage grants Spurs a crucial period of rest before the tournament resumes in March.
The past two weeks have seen clubs that missed direct qualification battle for a spot in the Round of 16. Now that the playoff rounds have concluded, the teams advancing and those exiting the tournament are clear.
Some major names failed to progress, with Galatasaray, FC Twente, Porto, PAOK, Union Saint-Gilloise, FC Midtjylland, Anderlecht, and Ferencváros all eliminated from the competition.
Meanwhile, Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Bodø/Glimt, FCSB, Fenerbahçe, Real Sociedad, Roma, and Viktoria Plzeň secured their places in the next stage.
With the draw approaching, Tottenham is set to face either Real Sociedad or AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League Round of 16, as both teams emerged victorious in their respective playoff matches.
These potential opponents bring unique challenges, with Real Sociedad’s disciplined defensive structure and AZ Alkmaar’s attacking prowess posing serious threats to Spurs’ ambitions.
Navigating past this stage will require tactical precision, squad depth, and a strong response to the fluctuating form seen in their domestic campaign.
The upcoming draw will determine not just Tottenham’s Round of 16 opponent but also the path to the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Scheduled for Friday, February 21, at 12 PM GMT, the event will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the UK and streamed on UEFA’s website and official YouTube channel, allowing fans worldwide to witness the matchups unfold.
| Status | Teams |
|---|---|
| Qualified | Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Bodø/Glimt, FCSB, Fenerbahçe, Real Sociedad, Roma, Viktoria Plzeň |
| Eliminated | Galatasaray, FC Twente, Porto, PAOK, Union Saint-Gilloise, FC Midtjylland, Anderlecht, Ferencváros |
Tottenham’s potential journey through the knockout stages will see them compete alongside some of Europe’s most competitive teams. The confirmed Round of 16 participants include Athletic Club, Eintracht Frankfurt, Lazio, Lyon, Manchester United, Olympiacos, Rangers, and Tottenham from the automatically qualified teams, with Ajax, AZ Alkmaar, Bodø/Glimt, FCSB, Fenerbahçe, Real Sociedad, Roma, and Viktoria Plzeň joining them after winning their respective playoff rounds.
| UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Teams | Country |
|---|---|
| Athletic Club | Spain |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | Germany |
| Lazio | Italy |
| Lyon | France |
| Manchester United | England |
| Olympiacos | Greece |
| Rangers | Scotland |
| Tottenham | England |
| Ajax | Netherlands |
| AZ Alkmaar | Netherlands |
| Bodø/Glimt | Norway |
| FCSB | Romania |
| Fenerbahçe | Turkey |
| Real Sociedad | Spain |
| Roma | Italy |
| Viktoria Plzeň | Czech Republic |
As the competition intensifies, Tottenham must capitalize on their strengths and address their vulnerabilities to advance deep into the tournament. With the potential of facing tough opposition, squad rotation, tactical flexibility, and clinical finishing will be key to their success.
Fans will be eager to see how Postecoglou’s squad approaches the challenge, as Spurs look to claim European glory and salvage a season filled with domestic struggles.