Controversial:

Atlético de Madrid failed to impress in the Champion’s League, suffering a humiliating 4-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge, but clinched third place. That meant that Atlético joined the Europa League in the last thirty-two. They were very fortunate to progress past the all-Spanish quarter-final against Valencia. After 2-2 draw in the Mestalla,

Valencia had to win or get a higher scoring draw in the Vicente Calderón Stadium. They were denied a clear penalty that left Serbian striker, Nikola Žigić’s shirt torn. Despite showing the evidence of the foul to the referee, play was waved on. Another penalty appeal was refused and Valencia coach Unai Emery Etxegoien was sent off, but had his say as he left the pitch. Valencia players took up the cudgels after his departure, surrounding the referee to remonstrate with him after the final whistle was blown – home refereeing at its worst.

Nevertheless, Atlético progressed to the semi-final, where they faced Liverpool, who had also dropped down from the Champion’s League. After extra time the Spaniards progressed, again on away goals. “It would have been a great experience to play them [Liverpool] in an all English final, but I think it’s also nice to play a team we’ve never come across in the league, so it will be a great game,” said Norway’s captain Brede Hangeland. “They’ll be favourites, but we’ll be hard to beat as well.”

Making History (Part Two)

Tonight they have the opportunity to make more history on the pitch by winning the inaugural Europa League final in Hamburg against Atlético de Madrid. So how important was it for Fulham’s players to make their own history – win the first major tournament in the club’s long history? “Yeah important,” said Hungarian international Zoltán Gera, whose goal against Hamburg sent Fulham to Germany for tonight’s final. “We are in the final. We want to win. We will see what happens.”

It meant a lot to Nigerian international midfielder Dickson Etuhu as well. “That’s the best night,” he said. “We were talking to Danny Murphy and a few others who have done it before. We enjoyed it.” So has the historic run set him up for the World Cup as well?

“Definitely,” he said. “Get myself in the right form and now I’m just going to focus on playing strong for Fulham, take advantage until the World Cup games.” I'm just happy playing every day, to keep my fitness up and hopefully peak at the right time for the World Cup.”

But the World Cup is not his main focus. “I don’t think about that,” he said. “The final's a one off game. We just have to go out there and work hard and see what happens.”

Fantastic:

He is ‘The Special One.’ No, not Josć Mourinho, although his achievements at Inter merit consideration – I’m referring to Fulham manager Roy Hodgson. The Cottagers’ league position is nothing to shout about. Carlo Ancelotti has won the Premier League in his first season and may win the FA Cup too – a feat never achieved in the era of the Premiership. Harry Redknapp has broken the Big Four’s monopoly on Champion’s League qualification, but his peers recognised that there was only one man who deserved their recognition – Roy Hodgson.

“If we get to a comfortable position in the league this year after doing so well in Europe and in the FA Cup then I think I’ll probably be comparing this season with last season, albeit we may not finish as high in the league” Hodgson said after beating the last UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk at home. That turned out to be typical Hodgson understatement. It is beyond doubt that this is Fulham’s best ever season whether they beat Atlćtico de Madrid in Hamburg on Wednesday night or not.

Phenomenal:

The European run was phenomenal and led to calls for Hodgson to be honoured. Simon Davies – an unsung hero of Fulham’s season – led the calls after scoring a sublime goal to cancel out Mladan Petrić’s fantastic free-kick. Zoltán Gera scored the scrappy winner that vanquished Hamburg and send Fulham to Germany to contest their first European final. Hodgson also got the best out of the enigmatic Bobby Zamora.