More than three decades on they still talk about the time when Johan Cruyff came to White Hart Lane and was outclassed by Glenn Hoddle.
Cruyff was in the twilight of his career and playing for Feyenoord but the occasion left an impression.
This one did, too, as Ajax continued to flourish in the Champions League with youngsters tipped for greatness, high on the confidence of beating Real Madrid and Juventus.
Donny van de Beek deservedly gave Ajax the lead in the first half on Tuesday evening
Many of them are at the start of highly promising careers. It was a very different test for a Tottenham team feeling the strain in more ways than one.
Reach for the moon, said Mauricio Pochettino on the eve of the semi-final but his players were gasping for air during a breathless opening by the visitors.
Davinson Sanchez seemed to have his head in a spin and Jan Vertonghen was certainly seeing stars after a collision with team-mate Toby Alderweireld in the first half.
For half an hour Spurs reeled and went behind but somehow they hung on.
Jan Vertonghen had to go off after a nasty collision with his team-mate Toby Alderweireld
This European campaign has been a test of character from the first fixture when they turned victory into defeat in the final few minutes at Inter Milan.
They were five minutes from an exit in Barcelona and nerves were shred at Manchester City.
On Tuesday night, they were challenged to find extra depths of resolve to stop Ajax and Frenkie de Jong from running away with this game and finishing this semi-final in the first leg.
De Jong has already inspired claims he has the talent to be as influential as Cruyff as he prepares to follow the same path from Amsterdam to Barcelona.
Spurs tried to sign him last year as they sought a successor to Mousa Dembele but could not compete with a £75million move to the Nou Camp.
Frenkie de Jong has a real understanding of the game and controlled the midfield for Ajax
The Dutchman celebrates with Dusan Tadic following their opening goal against Tottenham
Beyond De Jong's outrageous ability on the ball, it is his understanding, awareness and appreciation of the game around him which captured the eye as he emerged from the Ajax ranks.
There was evidence in the opening minutes when, with his right foot he nonchalantly eased a dropping ball over his shoulder on the volley to centre half Matthijs de Ligt.
Lying deep in midfield, he set the tempo as Ajax seized early control and dominated possession.
Tottenham, starting with a back-three formation in the
