Spurs End 17-Year Trophy Drought in Bilbao

Spurs End 17-Year Trophy Drought in Bilbao

On May 21, 2025, Tottenham Hotspur etched their name into European football history, defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final in Bilbao to claim their first major trophy since 2008. Brennan Johnson’s 42nd-minute strike, coupled with heroic defending from Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, ended a 17-year drought and sparked an outpouring of joy across social media, from players, fans, and even rivals. The victory, which secured Spurs a Champions League spot for next season, was a testament to manager Ange Postecoglou’s bold promise to deliver silverware in his second year. This article dives into the best reactions, images, and social media moments that defined a night of pure elation for Tottenham fans, drawing from the electric atmosphere in Bilbao and the digital celebration that followed.

The Moment of Glory

The final whistle at San Mamés Stadium unleashed a wave of euphoria. Tottenham’s players collapsed in joy, with Johnson, the match-winner, mobbed by teammates. Son Heung-min, the club’s captain since 2015, finally lifted a trophy, his radiant smile captured in iconic images as he kissed the silverware. The Spurs bench erupted, and Postecoglou, fists clenched, beamed with vindication. “I believed it,” he told TNT Sports, reflecting on his pre-season vow. “This club needed to change, and winning does that.” The Athletic’s David Hytner described the scene as “Spurs freed from 17 years of bitter frustration,” a sentiment echoed across platforms like X, where fans and pundits alike lost themselves in the moment.

Social media exploded with clips of the trophy lift, van de Ven’s goal-line clearance, and Romero’s Player of the Match performance. One X post from @SpursOfficial captured the squad posing with the trophy: “European silverware looks good on the Tottenham boys 😎.” Another, from @footballconfid1, showed the electric atmosphere at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where fans watching the broadcast roared as if they were in Bilbao. “Champions of Europe!!!!!!” the post declared, encapsulating the raw emotion.

Fans Rejoice: “COYS Always and Forever”

Tottenham fans, long mocked for their “Spursy” moniker, took to X and other platforms to revel in the victory. “COYS Always And Forever,” one fan posted, a phrase that became a rallying cry as supporters shared memes and videos of their celebrations. Republic World noted the flood of posts from Spurs fans, with one writing, “Very happy Spurs fan, I hope the club backs Ange.” The self-deprecating humor that had defined Tottenham’s fanbase—evident in a @MenInBlazers post of a chant poking fun at their trophy drought—gave way to unbridled pride. “This means EVERYTHING,” tweeted @davewakeman.bsky.social, echoing Postecoglou’s sentiment that the win would “change the club.”

Images shared online amplified the joy. TheNewKits.com posted “33 incredible and emotional photos,” including fans touching the trophy and players embracing. One viral clip showed Spurs supporters in Bilbao singing “Freed From Desire” as fireworks lit up the night. Another X post from @SpursOfficial featured midfielder Ben Davies, who said, “It was a really emotional moment when that final whistle went.” The images and videos weren’t just of victory; they were of a fanbase shedding years of heartache.

Players and Pundits Weigh In

The players’ reactions were equally heartfelt. Son Heung-min, whose trophy drought had been a personal burden, posted on X: “This is for you, Spurs fans.” His leadership and emotional trophy lift resonated deeply, with BBC Sport highlighting his moment with UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. Brennan Johnson, often criticized during a tough Premier League season, became an instant hero. “Match-winner and Europa League winner, Brennan Johnson everyone 🤩,” @SpursOfficial tweeted, sharing a clip of his goal—a clinical finish after a swift counter.

James Maddison and Sergio Reguilon added levity, holding a banner that playfully nodded to Postecoglou’s “non-boastful” claim about winning in his second year. Their banter with Roy Keane, who had predicted a United win, went viral, with Maddison tweeting, “Sorry, Roy, we had other plans!” Even rivals showed respect: Mohamed Salah congratulated Spurs on X, a rare gesture that fans screenshot and shared widely. “Spurs admin has some fun,” BBC Sport noted, as the club’s official account revived old memes and trolled rivals with newfound swagger.Pundits were equally captivated. Gary Lineker, a former Spurs star, posted, “There. Is Nothing. Like. Football.” The Athletic’s podcast, View from the Lane, called it “a night for the ages,” while ESPN’s archives recalled Spurs’ 2019 Champions League comeback for context, underscoring their knack for defying odds. The Guardian’s Scott Murray praised van de Ven’s clearance as “as good as a goal,” a moment that trended on X with fans dubbing it “superhuman.”

The United Contrast

Manchester United’s reaction was starkly different. Their fans, reeling from a historically poor Premier League season, vented frustration. Alejandro Garnacho’s post-match comments, questioning his 20-minute cameo, sparked “Amorim Out” trends on X, with Mark Goldbridge lamenting United’s “worst season in 50 years.” Manager Ruben Amorim, gracious in defeat, hugged Postecoglou but admitted to TNT Sports, “We had situations to score… we tried everything.” The contrast—Spurs’ jubilation against United’s dejection—fueled memes, with one viral post joking, “United’s barbecue plans just got a bit gloomier,” referencing their planned celebration.

A New Era for Spurs

Postecoglou’s press conference was a highlight, his emotional words resonating widely. “I’ve never been more proud to be the manager of a football club,” he told players’ families, a clip shared by BBC Sport. He insisted the job wasn’t done, tweeting via @SpursOfficial: “I haven’t finished the job here.” Fans latched onto this, with polls on X showing 79% wanted him to stay, dismissing the 21% “bitter Man U fans” who voted no. The victory, securing Champions League football, raised questions about Spurs’ readiness for the added workload, but for now, the focus was celebration. A trophy parade was set for Friday, with fans already planning to flood north London.

A Night to Remember

The social media frenzy, from Maddison’s cheeky jabs to Son’s heartfelt posts, painted a picture of a club reborn. Images of the trophy lift, Johnson’s strike, and van de Ven’s clearance will live long in Spurs’ lore, alongside their 1984 UEFA Cup win. As @SpursOfficial put it, “A third European trophy added to the cabinet 🏆🏆🏆.” For fans, players, and Postecoglou, this was more than a win—it was a statement. The Europa League title didn’t just end a drought; it sparked a digital celebration that will echo for years.

Sources: BBC Sport, The Athletic, Republic World, The Guardian, NewsBreak, TottenhamHotspur.com, X posts from @SpursOfficial, @footballconfid1, @MenInBlazers, @davewakeman.bsky.social