Tottenham Hotspur is in a heated battle for a top-three spot in the Premier league, but the focus seems set on winning trophies, including the Europa League.
The team will attempt to continue its quest for a Europa league championship when it hosts FC Basel on Thursday in the first leg of the quarterfinals.
"We dream of winning trophies so our focus on the Europa League won't shift," said Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas. "Your league position always dictates the success of a season. But winning trophies is also tremendously important. Chelsea finished sixth last season but it was totally overshadowed by the fact they won two trophies, including the biggest in the world [the Champions League] and so it was deemed a successful season."
Scott Parker agrees with his coach about the importance of the trophy. "As a player, I can see that argument 100%," Parker said. "As a player, there is nothing more rewarding than going to a final and lifting a trophy but we knew at the outset what we needed to do this season. So we'll probably look to take both."
He added, "I know for a fact that every one of us in that changing room wants to go on and try to win something. The Europa League is a big competition, with big teams in it, and if you win it, you've done bloody well."
The team won its first leg against Inter Milan 3-0 but imploded in the absence of Gareth Bale in the second leg when the team lost 4-1 but advanced on an away goal.
Their opponents took down Zenit St. Petersburg 2-1 in the round of 16.
Predictions: Tottenham wins 3-1.
Start Time: 3:05 PM EST
TV Info: Fox Soccer Channel
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