Tottenham Hotspur finally broke the 17-year duck, winning the 2025 Europa League title. Only Sevilla have won it more times than Spurs.
Manager Ange Postecoglou, derided for most of the season, led Spurs to the title and became the first Australian to win a European trophy, executing perhaps the greatest mic drop in football.
It was not a pretty game, but Tottenham players gritted their teeth and ground out a result at San Mames, with Cristian Romero winning the official Man of the Match award.
However, his defensive partner Micky van de Ven deserved the honour just as much after a sensational display at the back that earned him plaudits.
Van de Ven helped Tottenham keep a clean sheet, making five clearances and blocking two shots.
The Dutchman made an incredible goal-line clearance to spare Guglielmo Vicario’s blushes following a Rasmus Hojlund header destined to nestle in the net.
“Composed and commanding at the back again,” the Evening Standard wrote on his performance, giving him a 9/10 rating.
“Outstanding at the back from start to finish,” the Express said.
Van de Ven spoke about being mocked when he chose to join Spurs, but he resolved that this was his time to change the narrative.
The former Wolfsburg man talked the talk and walked the walk.
Tottenham must find the perfect partner for Van de Ven with Romero potentially leaving – View
With Cristian Romero attracting interest from Atletico Madrid and likely to leave this summer, Spurs cannot afford to gamble on patchwork solutions or stopgaps.
They need to go into the market with purpose. Van de Ven needs a partner. Not just any partner, but the perfect one.
Someone quick enough to match his pace, with calmness to complement his aggression and tough enough to thrive in the Premier League trenches.