OPINION
It’s a huge day for Tottenham today as their new stadium gets set to host its first ever first-team game, against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
It’s been a long journey for fans, but even longer for Daniel Levy for whom today is the culmination of years of hard work.
Talking ahead of the grand opening, as quoted by Football.London, he said “We’re building a home for generations. Some years ago I said to Chris [Lee, managing director of stadium building architectural firm Populous] I’m going to set you a challenge.
“I want you to design a stadium that sets a new standard in fan experience, player experience, sponsor experience, a building that will be ultimately measured and remembered among the iconic architecture in Europe. We want this to be something that’s known throughout the world.”
Football.London claims that Levy’s favourite part of the stadium is The Vault, an exclusive room for high rollers contained within the H Club premium area.
It’s no surprise to see the £1billion stadium cater for the people who will spend eye-watering sums of money, but the stadium is for every fan. There are 40 less boxes than at White Hart Lane and just 8,000 corporate seats in a ground that holds 62,062 fans.
And the facilities are breathtaking, right down to the toilets that are described by Football.London as ‘like those of an expensive hotel’. They might not stay up to that standard through the 90 minutes tonight, but every single Spurs fan is in for a treat tonight and it is one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.
But there is a big danger that the dazzling opening could distract away from what happens on the pitch. And tonight’s game is hugely important. Tottenham got a lifeline last night when Man United were beaten by Wolves to stay in fifth, but a top-four spot is still in question.
A win for Tottenham against Crystal Palace will lift them to third, above Arsenal, albeit having played one game more.
And while Mauricio Pochettino’s men might still be in the Champions League, by far the easiest route into the competition next season is to finish in the top-four.
Just six games ago that was looking like a lock but that was before a run that’s seen them lose four of the last five games, with just one point from 15. A win tonight is absolutely essential and the players must focus on the task in hand and put any thoughts of the new stadium out of their mind.
Another defeat in the first game in their new stadium is unthinkable.
Playing in the Europa League next season at the most advanced stadium in Europe would be a catastrophe financially, and would take the shine off the incredible work Daniel Levy has done to bring fans to their new home.