Everyone loves the underdog.
You see it in the US with the NCAA Basketball tournament and golf's US Open, and nowhere is that better illustrated than by the euphoria that surrounds the successful minnows in british football's FA Cup.
2010 has been a rough year for Portsmouth, and throughout their troubled season that included financial meltdown and impending relegation, they have continued to play the role of Cinderella in the FA Cup.
The clock did not strike midnight for Avram Grant's Pompey side, as they emerged from the wreckage of their 2009-10 season to defeat Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley and set up an FA Cup final date with Chelsea.
Avram Grant's side have experienced both ends of football's emotional scale in the space of 24 hours - recovering from finally seeing relegation back to the Championship confirmed by upsetting overwhelming favourites Spurs with two goals in extra-time.
Tottenham, with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp in charge and with one-time Fratton Park stars Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in their starting line-up, edged a colourless first 90 minutes before Grant's underdogs struck in the extra period.
Wembley's appalling playing surface took a large share of the responsibility for the lack of quality on show, playing a crucial role in the goal that sent Grant on his way to a final date against his old club Chelsea nine minutes into extra-time.
Michael Dawson lost his footing as he went to make a clearance and Frederic Piquionne pounced to beat Heurelho Gomes from eight yards and lay the foundations for Pompey's unlikely progress.
As Spurs threw men forward in desperation, the excellent David James made a crucial block from Vedran Corluka before victory was sealed in front of Portsmouth's ecstatic fans three minutes from time.
Wilson Palacios hauled down Aruna Dindane and former Tottenham star Kevin-Prince Boateng added another layer of irony on this semi-final of many sub-plots by rifling home the penalty.
Tottenham fans deserted Wembley in droves instantly - this was a day of joy for Grant and his players, who mixed desire, determination and occasionally desperation to record a landmark triumph.
Pompey have been on the brink of extinction as they fight for their very survival, and yet their FA Cup run has provided relief amid their turmoil and they now have the chance to finish this season with a flourish against holders Chelsea.
You see it in the US with the NCAA Basketball tournament and golf's US Open, and nowhere is that better illustrated than by the euphoria that surrounds the successful minnows in british football's FA Cup.
2010 has been a rough year for Portsmouth, and throughout their troubled season that included financial meltdown and impending relegation, they have continued to play the role of Cinderella in the FA Cup.
The clock did not strike midnight for Avram Grant's Pompey side, as they emerged from the wreckage of their 2009-10 season to defeat Tottenham 2-0 at Wembley and set up an FA Cup final date with Chelsea.
Avram Grant's side have experienced both ends of football's emotional scale in the space of 24 hours - recovering from finally seeing relegation back to the Championship confirmed by upsetting overwhelming favourites Spurs with two goals in extra-time.
Tottenham, with former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp in charge and with one-time Fratton Park stars Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch in their starting line-up, edged a colourless first 90 minutes before Grant's underdogs struck in the extra period.
Wembley's appalling playing surface took a large share of the responsibility for the lack of quality on show, playing a crucial role in the goal that sent Grant on his way to a final date against his old club Chelsea nine minutes into extra-time.
Michael Dawson lost his footing as he went to make a clearance and Frederic Piquionne pounced to beat Heurelho Gomes from eight yards and lay the foundations for Pompey's unlikely progress.
As Spurs threw men forward in desperation, the excellent David James made a crucial block from Vedran Corluka before victory was sealed in front of Portsmouth's ecstatic fans three minutes from time.
Wilson Palacios hauled down Aruna Dindane and former Tottenham star Kevin-Prince Boateng added another layer of irony on this semi-final of many sub-plots by rifling home the penalty.
Tottenham fans deserted Wembley in droves instantly - this was a day of joy for Grant and his players, who mixed desire, determination and occasionally desperation to record a landmark triumph.
Pompey have been on the brink of extinction as they fight for their very survival, and yet their FA Cup run has provided relief amid their turmoil and they now have the chance to finish this season with a flourish against holders Chelsea.
Not only does Grant now get to lead Pompey out to Wembley for an FA Cup Final, but he is pitted against the same Chelsea club he led to the UEFA Champions League Final in 2008.
I guess the slipper fits for Avram Grant and Portsmouth.
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