This is our chance to make history, says Jermain Defoe

Spurs will play in Europe's premier competition for the first time in 48 years ­— and secure a significant financial windfall — if they can overcome a 3-2 deficit in their play-off second-leg clash at White Hart Lane tonight.

The club will bank a minimum of £20million for playing in the Champions League group stage and Defoe issued a rallying cry to his team-mates as they prepare to become the first Spurs team to appear in the competition since Bill Nicholson's side of 1962.

"You play football to make a difference, create history and do things that no one has done before and that your team hasn't done before," Defoe told Standard Sport.

"That's why you get into the game. It's the first time we have been in the tournament for many years and we have a long way to go.

"When you get an opportunity you have to take it. That opportunity has come tonight and it is a great night for everyone — not just the players but for people who have worked for the club for years, the chairman and the fans. It's a big night for the football club and we as players have to go and win the game."

Tottenham must win the match to progress into tomorrow's draw in Monaco and a 1-0 victory would be enough courtesy of the away goals from Sebastien Bassong and Roman Pavlyuchenko.

Spurs endured a miserable start in Switzerland, falling 3-0 behind in the opening 30 minutes.
But Defoe, who will undergo a groin operation next week and miss England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland next month, insists Tottenham were not overawed by the magnitude of the occasion in Berne.

"We showed in big games towards the end of last season in beating Chelsea and Arsenal at home, going to Man City and beating them that we can do it," he said.

"Tonight is another big occasion and we have to do the same. Everyone is up for the game and if we focus and play like we can play, then we can win the game.

Despite Defoe's confidence, manager Harry Redknapp has called on Spurs fans to play their part on the biggest night at White Hart Lane since the UEFA Cup Final second leg against Anderlecht in 1984.

"The place will be jumping and that will be a big thing in our favour," said Redknapp. "We have got to make it an intimidating atmosphere and I'm sure the fans will help make it a sensational night at the Lane.

"We have got to go out move the ball quickly. We have players that can trouble any defence and the crowd will play a big part for us tonight."