Mauricio Pochettino said he felt like crying after watching Tottenham’s new stadium finally host its first football match.
The 62,000-seat arena, which was due to open last summer, held its first official test event ahead of a proposed April 3 opening date when the club’s Under-18s side took on Southampton on Sunday, with Spurs’ youngsters winning 3-1.
“We all feel the same, so excited. I got the same feeling when we left White Hart Lane on the last day, we were crying and now in the first day in the new stadium we feel the same emotion,” Pochettino said, on the pitch at half-time.
“We need to cry because our dream became true.”
It was the first of two test events required to take place in order to receive the relevant safety certificates from Haringey Council, with the second coming next Saturday when a Legends team take on Inter Milan, when the capacity will be raised from 30,000 to 45,000.
The first senior game will see third-placed Spurs take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League on April 3.
Sky Sports News reporter Jeremy Langdon was in attendance to witness the big unveiling and offered his thoughts on Tottenham’s new home.
“The friendliness and the new Spurs fan ambassadors stood out as they helped supporters get in,” Langdon said.
“There are very visible bag searches and lots of security. The onus is on having small and clear bags to speed access.
(Sky Sports)
