- Spurs stars miss medals as UEFA admits mistake.
- UEFA blunder mars Europa League celebration.
- Medal mix-up overshadows Spurs’ big win.
In the closing moments of Spurs’ 1–0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, captain Son Heung-min and teammates Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur found themselves celebrating without their winners’ medals.
UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin led the ceremony but, due to an unexpected miscount, there were not enough medals on stage for all participants, leaving several players waiting until they returned to the dressing room.
UEFA’s Official Apology and Explanation
Late on Thursday, UEFA released a statement expressing regret for the oversight.
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They explained that extra squad members including injured players had joined the on-pitch celebrations, exceeding the 30 medals prepared for the 23-man squad and coaching staff.
The missing medals were swiftly delivered to the dressing room, accompanied by UEFA’s “sincerest apologies.”
> “To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony due to an unexpected discrepancy in the player count,” the statement read. “The missing medals were promptly delivered to the winning team in the dressing room, along with our sincerest apologies for the oversight.”
Impact on Players and Celebrations
Despite the mix-up, Son and his teammates did not let the delay spoil their moment.
Son himself lifted the trophy medal-less alongside Romero and Bentancur.
Also Read: PICTORIAL: Tottenham Europa League Win vs Man United Ends 17-Year Trophy Drought
Even sidelined stars like James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall eventually received their medals once UEFA realised the error.
> “I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every night. It finally happened and I can sleep easy now!” Son said. “We can celebrate today so let’s just make it one we will never forget.”
Breaking a 17-Year Trophy Drought
This triumph marked Tottenham’s first major European trophy in 17 years, ending years of near-misses on the continental stage.
For a club fueled by dreams of silverware, the victory and even the post-match hiccup will be remembered as part of a historic night in Bilbao.
What This Means for Future Ceremonies
UEFA’s apology highlights the importance of meticulous planning for high-profile events.
Moving forward, competition organisers are likely to review medal allocations and on-stage procedures to avoid a repeat of Bilbao’s medal delay.
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