Anyone hoping for a gentle play off tie against one of Europe’s minnows might have been a little concerned to hear that Spurs had been drawn against Dinamo Tbilisi of Georgia for the right to enter the tournament proper. We have come across these opponents before en route to the 1974 UEFA Cup final with Spurs coming through on aggregate – largely thanks to a 5-1 win in the return leg at White Hart Lane.
Since the break up of the USSR, Tbilisi have been the most successful team in Georgian club football and have currently won the domestic Umaglesi Liga on 13 separate occasions. However, recent seasons have been relatively lean with 2012-13’s triumph being their first since the 2007-08 campaign.
How Harry would have loved a moan about a trip to Georgia in midweek but it’s AVB in charge as we head for the first away leg on 22nd August. The return will be played at White Hart Lane exactly a week later.
It could be tricky but while the odds for the game aren’t available just yet, the bookmakers have installed Tottenham as favourites at around 16/1 to win the Europa League outright. Maybe it’s the thought of a trip into the unknown but how are you feeling about this draw?
