Twente Vs. Tottenham Hotspur: Dutch Champions Pull Even From Spot

Tottenham Hotspur have returned Twente’s gift, with Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s 20th minute hand ball leading to Denny Landzaat’s 22nd minute goal, pulling the hosts even, 1-1. An own goal from Twente in the 12th minute had given the hosts a dour start to the match, but with a little more drama than we normally see from a spot kick, Twente has equalized.

The drama came when the penalty kick was ordered retaken after Landzaat had converted the first. The referee judged that Landzaat unnaturally stopped his run-up during a mid-approach hesitation a Twente player has encroached through the arc. The kick, originally put to Heurelho Gomes’s right, was ordered retaken. Landzaat covered down the middle as the Spurs `keeper dove to his left.

Spurs need to out-perform second place Internazionale to secure Group A. Coming into the day in first place, Tottenham is trying to stay atop their group and avoid being drawn against the group winners come the Round of 16. With Internazionale in Bremen to take on Werder, Spurs need only get as many points as the tournament’s holder to keep their spot atop Group A.

Elsewhere: Copenhagen, who can clinch second place in Group D with a win, has taken the lead on visiting Panathinaikos. Martin Vingaard has given the Danes a 26th minute lead. Rubin Kazan, playing in Barcelona, could overtake FCK with a win and a Copenhagen draw or loss, but with that match scoreless, Rubin is one step closer to Europa League.