Tottenham handed surprise Europa League boost after Bodo/Glimt's major error
Tottenham will take on Bodo/Glimt in the last four of the Europa League with the Norwegian outfit missing several key players are their failure to understand the yellow card rules
Bodo/Glimt made a monumental error in the last eight of the Europa League and will have a host of players suspended for their semi-final. When they head to Tottenham on Thursday night, some big names will be missing after they stuffed up regarding the rules around yellow cards.
The Norwegian side knocked out Lazio in the quarter-finals and now have a final place on the horizon ahead of the first-leg in north London. However they'll have to get a result in the English capital without influential captain Patrick Berg, who is suspended.
Hakon Evjen, who plays in midfield, is also ruled out for the same reason. Andreas Helmersen, the scorer of a vital goal in extra time against Lazio in the last eight, is another player banned after he was sent off at the Stadio Olimpico.
The biggest blunder though on the part of Bodo/Glimt was their failure to understand the yellow card rule - and when they were considered redundant. They thought that their players could get booked against Lazio but still be ok to play against Tottenham.
However UEFA rules, Article 52.04 states: "All yellow cards expire on completion of the quarter-finals. They are not carried forward to the semi-finals."
Given the likes of Berg and Evjen were booked during the quarter-final tie they have to face suspensions. That is not the case for Tottenham, who had several players right on the cusp of suspension, but they are now able to play more freely. Yves Bissouma, Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall had been shown two yellows in the competition, but they've now been scrapped.
Bodo/Glimt finished ninth in the league phase, meaning they were the highest ranked side who still had to negotiate the knockout play-off round. They beat Twente after extra-time and down Olympiacos in the round of 16. Lazio were knocked out on penalties.
Tottenham meanwhile have been able to perform in the Europa League despite a dire Premier League campaign. They will finish narrowly above the relegation zone but victory in this tournament could land them an unlikely spot in the Champions League.
Ange Postecoglou is under huge pressure amid suggestions he will be axed in the summer. Despite that the Australian could end the club's trophy drought with success in Europe. Tottenham have been AZ Alkmaar and Frankfurt en route to the last four.
Postecoglou said ahead of the clash with the Norwegian outfit: "You [the media] would love us to say that Bodo are a small club, but they are here on merit. I don't underestimate anyone and they've earned the right to be here."
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