TNT SPORTS pundits revealed they abandoned their car and legged it down the road to make Tottenham’s delayed Europa League tie.
Peter Crouch gave viewers a “run” down of how he and fellow ex-Spurs star Glenn Hoddle beat the travel chaos that faced opponents Qarabag and fans.
The kick-off was put back from 8pm to to 8.35pm due to severe rail AND road problems.
And the Azerbaijan side’s squad only arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium close to the original planned start time.
As TNT Sports showed the visiting players walking around the pitch, Crouchie told of his own drama in getting there.
Looking at the surprisingly-relaxed Qarabag squad, the former England striker said: “Hopefully they ran down the High Road like me and Glenn!”
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TNT’s presenter chipped in: “You had to abandon the car, didn’t you?”
A laughing Crouch replied: “Ah, we did. We gave up with the car.”
Former Three Lions’ midfielder Hoddle joked: “Peter ran and I limped.”
An incredible whammy caused the travel nightmare.
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London Overground train services from Cheshunt and Enfield Town to White Hart Lane were suspended – a huge headache in itself.
But then add in the closure in both directions of the A10 – a major route in to the area – and it’s no wonder supporters were left in a frenzy.
It comes as Spurs prepare to launch their campaign in the newly-expanded, 36-team competition.
Each team initially plays eight different sides to see who qualifies for the latter stages.
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou reckons the format will at least increase excitement.
He said: “In the group stage, after about the second or third game, you kind of knew who were going through so there were maybe some dead-rubbers, but all games will be meaningful because all teams will have something to play for.
“It’s not that standard home and away, you will play eight different teams, eight different styles of football, so it’s an interesting challenge.
“I guess at the end we’ll see if it’s had the effect everyone wanted it to have by being more exciting all the way through rather than the knock-out phase, but the most important thing is we’re in it and because we’re in it, we’ve got a chance.”
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Qarabag’s players looked remarkably relaxed – some smiling – as they strolled to the dressing rooms.
But with the traffic difficulties known well before kick-off, they had probably resigned themselves to a late start from well before 8pm.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
