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Tottenham aim to extend coach's success

  • Story Highlights
  • Juande Ramos continues his bid for a third successive UEFA Cup triumph
  • He takes Tottenham to Slavia Prague this week
  • He steered Sevilla to back-to-back wins in the past two seasons
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LONDON, England -- Tottenham manager Juande Ramos continues his pursuit of an unprecedented third successive UEFA Cup triumph when he takes the London side to face Slavia Prague this week.

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Ramos has already engineered a European victory over Slavia Prague this season with Sevilla.

Ramos steered Sevilla to back-to-back triumphs in the competition before switching to Tottenham in October.

He has already engineered a defeat for the Czech team this season, having guided Sevilla to a Champions League victory against them.

Spurs, UEFA Cup winners in 1972 and 1984, are among six former champions still in contention.

Their captain Robbie Keane believes that not only can they win it again, but also claim the League Cup in the final against Chelsea on February 24.

"I can't see why we can't win both Cups," said Keane.

"There's no point being where we are if we're not trying to win both. With this team we have a great chance."

Tottenham, who have signed Gilberto and Jonathan Woodgate, could be without key defenders as Michael Dawson was injured in the 3-0 Premier League victory at Derby and Ledley King is struggling for fitness.

Former winners Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven and Anderlecht are all looking to keep their bid for a second trophy alive.

Bayern Munich, winners in 1996 and considered by many as favorites this season, travel to Scottish side Aberdeen, who beat them in the quarterfinals of the 1983 Cup Winners' Cup.

Jimmy Calderwood's team have a host of injury worries ahead of their biggest European match in more than 20 years and Richie Byrne, Richard Foster, Jackie McNamara, Derek Young and Jamie Smith will all miss Thursday's clash.

Barry Nicholson (knee), Zander Diamond (ankle) and Darren Mackie (hamstring) are all battling for fitness after taking knocks in Sunday's 5-1 defeat by Celtic.

Werder Bremen, who are lying second to Bayern in the Bundesliga, travel to Portuguese side Sporting Braga, boosted by their 1-1 draw in Munich at the weekend.

Benfica will be without suspended midfielder Augustin Binya for their game against visiting Nuremberg.

Belgian champions Anderlecht, struggling in fifth in the league, will be looking to restore some national pride when they host French side Bordeaux, who won all four matches to top their UEFA Cup group in the autumn.

"I'm not surprised that people consider our league to be in decline. We have a point to prove against Bordeaux. It would be good for the whole of Belgian football and the start of something new for us," said defender Olivier Deschacht. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

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