Women's Clubs Bucking the Trend: Crystal Palace, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal defy expectations, proving that audacious ambitions can yield triumphs
Football's Underdog Triumphs: 2024-25 Season Shocked the World!
If you've been yearning for a season to remind you that dreams can come true, then 2024-25 was the one. This magical campaign celebrated the underdog, as clubs starved of success finally basked in the limelight. Crystal Palace, Spurs, Newcastle, Arsenal Women, Bologna, Aberdeen, and Stuttgart all managed to defy expectations and claim long-awaited silverware. Here's a closer look at the season's most surprising triumphs.
The FA Cup Triumph - Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace, a relatively stable Premier League club, stunned fans and opponents alike when they won their first major honor, the FA Cup. Their victory marked the fourth time since 1995 that a team outside the Big Six has claimed the trophy. The 2024-25 season saw Palace finally make their mark, including a jaw-dropping win over Manchester City in the final. led by Oliver Glasner, who made a splash in his first full season in charge, Palace put in a string of impressive performances en route to lifting precious silverware. Qualifying for the Europa League was an added bonus, even if they faced bureaucratic hurdles to participate in European competition for the first time.
Tottenham's Glory - Europa League TrophyTottenham's long wait for glory finally ended when they won the Europa League, defeating Manchester United in a for many a forgettable final. It was Spurs' first major trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and their celebrations were a fitting end to a sub-par season. Brennan Johnson, Spurs' match-winner, told me, "We got it done," after expressing how much the club was ridiculed for never winning anything. His comments also reflected how the victory ensured qualification for the Champions League following a disappointing 17th-place finish in the league, narrowly avoiding relegation.
Ange Postecoglou and Spurs' Historic Run Cut ShortDespite entertaining fans with his headline-grabbing antics, Ange Postecoglou was sacked just 16 days after leading Spurs to the Europa League title. The Australian hero will forever be remembered for delivering on his promise of winning a trophy in his second season.
Newcastle's Rare Trophy:Newcastle fans celebrated their first trophy in 56 years, as the Magpies beat Premier League champions Liverpool in the League Cup. The Magpies' Wembley win was their first since 1969, or even longer if you consider only domestic trophies, as they hadn't lifted a domestic cup since 1955. The Magpies' passionate fanbase was ecstatic when they paraded their long-awaited trophy through the streets of Newcastle after finishing the season with a Champions League spot.
Women's Champions League Upset - ArsenalArsenal Women cemented their place in history by claiming their first continental crown in 18 years. The Gunners brushed aside the dominant force in women's football, Barcelona, in the final. Bedlam ensued in Lisbon and North London respectively, as Arsenal fans celebrated their phenomenal victory.
Dreams Come True in Scotland, Italy, and GermanyAberdeen ended a 35-year wait by clinching the Scottish Cup after their dramatic win over Celtic on penalties. Elsewhere, Bologna beat Milan in the Coppa Italia, and Stuttgart clinched their first trophy in 18 years by besting third-tier Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup final.
These underdog wins from the 2024-25 season are more than just statistics; they're testimonials to the power of dreams, persistence, and resilience. Let's hope for another season filled with magic and surprises!
In the remarkable 2024-25 season, Crystal Palace, a Premier League club often overshadowed, won their first major sports-related trophy, the FA Cup. This triumph took them to the Europa League and demonstrated sports-analysis theories about the power of resilience. On the other hand, Tottenham claimed the Europa League trophy after an exhilarating final against Manchester United, marking their first major title since 2008. This victory, in addition to qualifying for the Champions League, validated years of passion and determination for Spurs fans and sports analysts.
