Men against Boys - Spurs get Swiss side Young Boys in Champions League
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tottenham's first European Cup match for almost half a century will be against Swiss side Young Boys following today's Champions League play-off round draw.
Spurs will face the Bern outfit, who they have never previously met, over two legs for a place in the lucrative group stage.
Tottenham's last foray in Europe's premier club competition came in the 1961-62 season.
It was a dream draw for Harry Redknapp's men, who avoided much tougher teams in the shape of Sampdoria, Dynamo Kiev, Auxerre and Celtic's conquerors Braga.
Last term saw Spurs finally fulfil their ambition of breaking into the Barclays Premier League top four, thereby securing a coveted Champions League spot.
The first leg of their play-off round tie will take place in Bern on August 17/18, with the second leg at White Hart Lane the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Although the easiest draw on paper, Young Boys are not to be underestimated, having stunned Fenerbahce by winning 1-0 in Istanbul in the previous round.
Last term's Swiss runners-up are also well into their domestic season, which kicked off on July 17, although they have failed to win any of their opening three games.
Their squad includes an Enfield-born Spurs fan in Scott Sutter, who moved to Switzerland aged 16.
Tottenham's only previous European meeting with Swiss opposition ended in a 9-1 aggregate win over Grasshoppers in the 1973-74 UEFA Cup.
The full draw for the UEFA Champions League play-off round is as follows:
Salzburg v Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Rosenborg v FC Copenhagen
Basle v FC Sheriff
Sparta Prague v MSK Zilina
Partizan Belgrade v Anderlecht
Young Boys v Tottenham
Braga v Sevilla
Werder Bremen v Sampdoria
Zenit St v Petersburg v Auxerre
Dynamo Kiev v Ajax
Ties will be played August 17/18 and 24/25.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments