Forlan’s extra time winner ends Fulham’s dream run.

Diego Forlan‘s extra time winner four minutes from time dashed Fulham‘s hope of clinching theri maiden European title after Atletico Madrid defeated the Englisg side by 2-1. The win for the Spanish underdogs has got them a much sign of relief after ending theri 48 year title drought in Europe. With this Atletico Madrid became the fourth Spanish team to win the trophy in seven years. (including formerly known as UEFA Cup).

The match started with a pack to capacity crowd with an evenly matched suporters from both sides coming all the way from their respective countries. Atletico Madrid had the first chance at the goal when the ball hit the wood work. In just the 12th minute Sergio Agüero quickly countered on Danny Murphy‘s misplaced pass and finds Diego Forlan, who drags his shot against the foot of Mark Schwarzer‘s left-hand post. The Spanish were narrowly ahead. the signal from them was sure that they will be only attacking. Just minutes later Fulham replied with a narrow miss when  Zoltán Gera‘s volley goes high over David de Gea‘s crossbar.

Goal: Atletico finally got the break through in the 32nd minute when Sergio Agüero‘s mis-hit shot past Mark Schwarzer was diverted to Diego Forlan who made no mistake in breaking the deadlock. But again Fulham replied with leveling the score just five minutes later after Simon Davies volleyed Zoltán Gera‘s chip to the back post past  Atletico‘s keeper David de Gea. The teams went into the break all square at one all.

Second half saw many substitutions in the match, surprising for Fulham was bring back Bobby Zamora as early as  the 55th minute. Both sides tired to score but the score line stayed as it is. The match went into extra time. in the opening half, first in the 11th minute José Manuel Jurado‘s cross flicks off the head of Brede Hangeland and finds reaches Diego Forlan at the far post and steadies himself and fires back across goal, forcing Mark Schwarzer to stretch out to save. And finally in the 26th minute of the ET Diego Forlan cleverly back heeled Sergio Agüero‘s low cross to gave Atletico the vital lead in the dying minutes. The scoreline remained 2-1 much to their delight.

 

Fulham takes on Atletico Madrid for the Europa League trophy.

After weeks of hardwork, the glory is finally waiting for either Fulham FC or Atletico Madrid for one of the most prestigious event in Europe. The inagural UEFA Europa League final between two teams will be taking place in just few hours in Hamburg, Germany and there is plenty to look for. Being the first of the big finals preceeding the champions league much is happening at both ends.

For Fulham this is a dream come true as being their first major final in the clubs 131 years history and also the expectations of the barmy army which is pretty much behing the only English club in Europe. The other English club Liverpool were knocked out by spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the semi finals. The news from the Fulham camp is that their fierce striker Bobby Zamora has recovered from his Achilles tendon problem and is expected to play. So is Damien Duff, who is fast recovering from a leg injury. Other than that the whites are all ready for the big night. The Spanish must be making plans to stop Danny Murphy & Co.

For Atletico Madrid the best plan will be to attack. With Diego Forlan, Jose Antonio Reyes and Sergio Aguero at the front, getting the ball past the net will not be easy. Their defence is a cause of concern with nothing much of a star power in it. Atletico‘s manager Quique Sanchez Flores must be hoping to over come the dissapointment faced in the domestic league with no special break through and conceeding 52 goals. One outside positive for the Spanish side will be the German crowd support which will be behind them as Fulham  beat Hamburger SV to reach the final, Fulham may even have to listen to lown jeers from the Hamburg Arena spectators. 

The match will start at 2045 Hours CET.

Liverpool, Fulham’s high hopes from Europa Cup. Journey may become a hurdle…

The much awaited Europa League semi final featuring two English premier league clubs Liverpool and Fulham will finally go underway tomorrow. The reds will be travelling to Madrid to face Atletico Madrid for the first leg while Fulham, which is three places below Liverpool in the domestic league, will be up against Hamburger SV at the Hamburg Arena, Germany.

Atletico Madrid have already won at Anfield this term as they claimed a 2-1 victory in a pre-season friendly but now the intensity is more with a 50-50 situation for both the teams. Big blow for the reds is that its Spanish striker Fernando Torres will not be part of home coming to his former club as he will be going for a second knee operation in four months which is going to keep him out for a minimum period of 5 weeks, which is likely to stall his appearance in the World Cup also. Other problem for Liverpool is to how players will respond after a prolonged journey to the Spanish capital as the volcanic ash has cancelled all flights across Europe. The team will be banking on the performance of Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard for the match and hopefully the reds will be giving out there best as this is the only chance to make a mark this year.

Hamburger will be fired for tonight’s fixture as they know that a win in the semis will make their dream final at their home stadium. As repeatdly said, Fulham will be taking extra care of one name that is of former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy who had an excellent run against them when he player the premier league. He was transferred from Real Madrid where he was denied the first team place. Hamburger on the other hand will be hoping tp stop the fieryFulham‘s big man Bobby Zamora who has been responsible for terrorising the opponent’s defence on many occasion. The long by-road journey can also have an impact on their playing.

Both the matches will be starting at 2105 Hours CET.