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Grant hails Pompey spirit

Grant hails Pompey spirit

04/12/2010 06:10:19 AM

Avram Grant is looking forward to leading out his Portsmouth team against former club Chelsea in the FA Cup final next month after what he described as a "crazy day" at Wembley.

Frederic Piquionne and former Tottenham midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng, from the penalty spot, scored the goals in extra time which gave Portsmouth a 2-0 victory against Tottenham in their semi-final.

And manager Grant admitted it was a tribute to what his team had overcome on a weekend which saw them relegated from the Barclays Premier League after having been docked nine points for going into administration with debts of more than £70million.

Grant said: "To be in the final because of what's happened this season is a good lesson to everybody not to take the easy solution. The easy solution is to give up."

"I don't believe in this. To come to work every day not knowing what bad news will come."

"One day I came and all my staff said to me next week there is no club. We could write a book about the many things against us this season."

"We have lived day by day and despite this we are in the final. It is a crazy day."

Grant also saluted the Portsmouth fans who sang themselves hoarse and stayed celebrating for an hour after the match had finished.

"This achievement belongs to the fans and the players," he said. "The players didn't give up. The fans showed how fans need to behave."

"They were behind the club despite everything. They are so great they deserve it. This club, this year, I will not forget it all my life."

Grant wore an armband to mark Holocaust Day and was due to travel to Poland today to honour members of his family who died in the holocaust. It made the victory all the more poignant.

He added: "We played like a team, defended like a team and attacked like a team. For this moment you work all your life."

Grant refused, however, to confirm whether he would be unable to select some of his squad for the final because of clauses in their contracts which would cost the club payments.

He also appeared unaware that Portsmouth do not possess the necessary UEFA licence to play in Europe next season.

He did agree with Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, however, on one thing, namely the Wembley pitch.

"The pitch is a disgrace," Grant said. "Even if it was the same pitch for the two sides.:

"But now I don't care."

 

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