When former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit heard Hugo Lloris’ story of Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League final loss, he could hardly keep a straight face. Petit’s reaction, with hands on his head and laughter spilling over, reflected the disbelief and humor many have felt when learning of Tottenham’s infamous preparation for the biggest game in the club’s modern history. The story, retold by Lloris in his autobiography, surfaced during an episode of talkSPORT Drive with Darren Bent and Jason Cundy. As Petit’s reaction showcased, he found it both amusing and astonishing that Spurs, in a moment that called for focus and unity, offered the players a gift that inadvertently hinted at defeat rather than triumph.
The story begins with an unexpected twist: just four days before the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy called the entire team together. He announced that, with the support of a sponsor, each player would receive a luxury aviator watch. Initially, the players were intrigued, anticipating a meaningful memento ahead of their biggest game. However, upon opening the elegant boxes, they found each watch engraved with “Champions League Finalist 2019.” The term “Finalist” immediately struck a nerve, suggesting that the club might be bracing for second place even before the match had kicked off. Lloris admitted that this message lingered with him, leaving a sense of disappointment that he’s never entirely shaken off.
When the story was read aloud on talkSPORT, Petit’s reaction was priceless. As a veteran of Arsenal, Tottenham’s fierce rivals, Petit found the situation both humorous and perplexing. Holding his head, he exclaimed, “I cannot believe it.” Reflecting on his own experience, Petit recalled the celebrations after France’s World Cup victory in 1998 and their European Championship win in 2000. “In the French national team, we were given beautiful watches after we had actually won the World Cup and the Euros,” he said, emphasizing that these commemorative gifts were earned, not given in advance. “Who offers a watch before the final with the word ‘finalist’? That’s something I’ve never seen before. It was a terrible mistake, and it shows a mindset at Spurs—they never think about winning first.”
The timing of Tottenham’s watch gesture struck a chord with Petit and the other hosts, including Arsenal fan Darren Bent and former Chelsea player Jason Cundy. Ironically, as they were discussing Spurs’ mentality, the club was in the midst of a Europa League match against Galatasaray, which they ultimately lost 3-2. The ongoing defeat added a layer of irony to the conversation, with the hosts finding humor in the timing. This moment—Spurs conceding a lead while a former Arsenal player and an Arsenal fan chuckled over their rival’s internal missteps—seemed to encapsulate what many see as Tottenham’s struggle to step up on big occasions.
Reflecting on Tottenham’s 2019 Champions League journey, Lloris’ story brought back memories of what could have been a historic moment. Under the leadership of Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs reached the final with a spectacular comeback against Ajax in the semifinals. Lucas Moura’s miraculous hat-trick, especially his last-second goal, had secured Tottenham’s spot in Madrid. However, in the final itself, Liverpool quickly took control. Within the first two minutes, Liverpool earned a penalty after a controversial handball by Moussa Sissoko, which Mohamed Salah promptly converted. From that point, Spurs struggled to break through Liverpool’s solid defense, and a late goal from Divock Origi ended any hopes of a comeback. For Spurs fans, it was a heartbreaking conclusion to an otherwise magical run.
The watch incident, however, has added an almost surreal element to Tottenham’s Champions League journey. As Lloris explained in his book, the players would have gladly given the watches back and requested new engravings reading “Winner” if they had claimed victory. But for Petit, the decision to hand out “Finalist” watches before the match underscored what he sees as an inherent problem in Spurs’ mentality.
Petit’s reaction wasn’t the only one, as former Premier League striker Troy Deeney shared his own thoughts on the situation during the talkSPORT segment. Known for his frank opinions, Deeney questioned why Lloris, as captain, didn’t raise concerns immediately. “If you’re the captain and you think something’s off, speak up right then and there,” Deeney suggested. “You go to the chairman and say, ‘How does this help us prepare for the biggest game of our lives?’ A captain has to challenge these decisions.” Deeney found it surprising that Lloris kept this story under wraps for so long, only bringing it to light years later through his autobiography. “You don’t wait years and then say it bothered you. Do something about it at the time,” Deeney added.
For Tottenham, the 2019 Champions League final was supposed to be a game-changer, a chance to rewrite their narrative. Their history of missed opportunities dates back decades. Despite flashes of promise, the club has not lifted a major trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008, where they edged out Chelsea with a goal from Jonathan Woodgate. To find their last league title, one has to go even further back, to 1961, when they also won the FA Cup. The club’s ongoing trophy drought has even spawned a term, “Spursy,” often used to describe a team that excels in building expectations but ultimately falls short when it matters most.
In sharing his thoughts, Petit also reflected on his own memories of playing against Spurs during his time with Arsenal. “Facing Spurs was always one of the biggest games of the season for us, but honestly, we knew we had the upper hand,” he said, noting the contrasting mentalities between Arsenal and Tottenham at the time. “We always had confidence going in because we felt we were better, mentally and physically. That’s just how it was.” For Petit, this mentality difference is key, and he believes that until Tottenham truly embraces a winning mindset, they may continue to struggle on the big stage.
Ultimately, Lloris’ story of the watches adds a unique layer to the narrative of Tottenham’s 2019 Champions League campaign. For Spurs fans, it’s a reminder of how close they came to glory, yet how certain choices along the way may have undercut their potential. As Tottenham continues to chase that elusive next trophy, stories like these serve as both a source of humor for rivals and a point of reflection for a club that, despite its ambition, still seems to grapple with finding a winning formula.
