- Home >
- Soccer >
- UEFA Europa League >
- 'It could be a Unitedy thing now', says Bale after Spurs' Europa League win
'It could be a Unitedy thing now', says Bale after Spurs' Europa League win
Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year trophy drought with victory in the Europa League final, much to the delight of Gareth Bale.
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Gareth Bale quipped that the term "Spursy" will become "Unitedy" after their Europa League final victory over Manchester United.
Spurs emerged 1-0 victors over Ruben Amorim's team in the showpiece match on Wednesday, with Brennan Johnson scoring the only goal in the 42nd minute.
Indeed, the result saw Spurs lift their first trophy since the EFL Cup in 2007-08, and their first European trophy since 1983-84, when they won the UEFA Cup.
Bale was part of the squad that beat Chelsea at Wembley Stadium 17 years ago, but missed the final due to an ankle injury sustained earlier in the season.
The Welshman, who retired from professional football back in January 2023, was part of the match coverage team for TNT Sports for the final in Bilbao.
And following the result, Bale reacted to Spurs' victory by joking with former United defender Rio Ferdinand, saying: "It could be a 'Unitedy' thing now, I'm telling you."
While his comments may have been in jest, Bale said it would be a huge relief for Spurs to have finally claimed some silverware.
"It gets rid of that stigma now for sure, and hopefully they can build on it," he told TNT Sports.
"It's amazing for the club, it's been a long time coming. Now, Ange goes down as a legendary manager, winning a European [trophy].
"Now they've finally got it off their backs, hopefully this is a stepping stone to build off.
"They'll have a cash injection with the Champions League, they'll be able to get players in and strengthen from there."
Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario also said he hopes the win can help the club move past the "Spursy" tag.
"All the jokes, all the stuff about being Spursy and this kind of stuff, now I don't know, maybe we've stopped that," he told a post-match news conference.
"We are very happy for ourselves about what we've been through this season.
"Now see next season, we are in the Champions League, which is a massive achievement, it's where this club has to stay."