UEFA Europa League 2009/10

**Boo_Boy** · 09/04/2010, 1:16 AM

Semis now confirmed:

Fulham v Hamburg
Liverpool v Atletico Madrid

C'mon Hamburg, 2 games away from a home final!

**OwlsFan** · 23/04/2010, 8:24 AM

Originally Posted by Boo_Boy

C'mon Hamburg, 2 games away from a home final!

You like all the Union Jacks they fly at their home games?

I thought the British commentator was very condescending to Fulham. Little Fulham in the mighty Europa Cup semi-final. What's so surprising about that as they are a mid table Premiership team (supposedly the strongest league in the world). It might be a surprise that they are doing well in the EPL but since they are, it shouldn't be a surprise to see them in the Europa League semi.

I flicked between the two games and gave up at half time. Nothing to get the pulse racing so I went to bed with the wife. Same result

**Roadend** · 23/04/2010, 8:36 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

I flicked between the two games and gave up at half time. Nothing to get the pulse racing so I went to bed with the wife. Same result

So you went to bed with the wife and flicked between the two.........

**Boo_Boy** · 23/04/2010, 9:35 AM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

You like all the Union Jacks they fly at their home games?

That's the Rangers - HSV Supporters Club flags, both fans are close.

**Closed Account 2** · 23/04/2010, 12:02 PM

I used to work with a German from Hamburg, who said that few in the actual city of Hamburg actually support the team, the fans come mainly from the outlying villages and small towns in the countryside of Niedersachsen and Holstein. It does seem bizzare that there are so many Union Jacks there, and I was very surprised to see the blue/white/red RAF circle thing on one of the flags given the RAF (and to a lesser extent USAAF) killed 50,000 and pretty much wiped the city out in July 1943, maybe the countryside villages (where most of the fans apparently come from) were unaffected.

Either way I think Atletico will probably win the competition.

**DeLorean** · 23/04/2010, 1:34 PM

Yeah if Atletico can score at Anfield it's difficult to see Liverpool scoring 3 times without Torres. Really good result for Fulham last night, there seemed to be little or no chances in the game judging by the quick highlight reel on 3e. Phil Babb was almost making out that it was a poor result for them because they didn't score an away goal, another example of how commentators are obsessed with it, like I think OwlsFan was saying at one point. Obviously I'm not discarding the possibility of them going out on away goals but they're in a great position as it stands- win at home and you're through. They've beaten Shakhtar, Juventus and Wolfsburg at Craven Cottage, not to mention Man Utd and Liverpool, so I'm sure they'll fancy it.

**DeLorean** · 30/04/2010, 10:01 AM

Congratulations to Fulham. What an achievement, not so much getting to the Final of the competition but the manner in which they've got there. Down 1-0 last night needing to score twice and their main goalscorer gone off. I think they are better off with Atletico in the Final as well psychologically. Although they have won and drawn against Liverpool already this season I just felt that in a big European Final, Liverpool would have too much for them. Atletico are just another team in a long list of European teams they have overcome already and aren't exactly flooded in European success themselves. I'd imagine Atletico will be strong enough favourites but I don't think it will be a repeat of Seville Middlesbrough in 2006.

**bennocelt** · 30/04/2010, 10:14 AM

Great to see Fulham in the final, Roy Hog is a great manager and great person. The opposite to Mourinho in the class stakes anyway, never moans about refs and is always insightful. Always thought he was badly mistreated with Blackburn and its great that he is back at the top

**DaveyCakes** · 30/04/2010, 10:46 AM

I was hoping Hamburg would make it, but not too upset that Fulham are there. I'm just glad Liverpool didn't make it

**Dodge** · 30/04/2010, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by bennocelt

Great to see Fulham in the final, Roy Hog is a great manager and great person. The opposite to Mourinho in the class stakes anyway, never moans about refs and is always insightful. Always thought he was badly mistreated with Blackburn and its great that he is back at the top

Spot on. I don't know any football fans who have anything but positive words for him. incredibly open and honest in interviews and has the record to back himself up too.

**pineapple stu** · 30/04/2010, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

I don't know any football fans who have anything but positive words for me.

How modest, Dodge.

**Dodge** · 30/04/2010, 11:19 AM

LOL, sweet jesus, what a freudian...

Changed now.

All these thanked posts getting to me head...

**OwlsFan** · 12/05/2010, 9:31 AM

Looking forward to the game but might do a bit of channel flicking (Cardiff vs Leicester). Is Fulham's name on the trophy? Duffer to score the winner (if he plays)? Should be a good game. Also nice to see Athletico come out from under the shadow of its big city rival so I'd have a soft spot for them also.

**KK77** · 12/05/2010, 11:03 AM

My heart says yes but my head says no!

**gustavo** · 12/05/2010, 9:15 PM

Delighted for Atleti ! Though the winner had an element of fortune about it

**OwlsFan** · 13/05/2010, 9:20 AM

The "fairytale" bit was starting to annoy me. Fulham are a mid table Premiership (allegedly the best league in the world) team. Why should they not have been in the Europa Final? Surprising ok that they did well in the Premiership but since they did, why the fairytale?

Didn't see too much of the game as I mostly watched an excellent play off game between Cardiff (McPhail and Kennedy) and Leicester (Bruce).

**pineapple stu** · 13/05/2010, 10:38 AM

I think given the route they took - beating Juve after being 4-1 down and beating the Bundesliga champions for starters - they did exceptionally well to get to the final.

**Junior** · 13/05/2010, 12:46 PM

I think thats a little harsh Owls fan (ok not harsh but you know what I mean!)

In 1996 (14 years ago) Fulham were on the verge of going out of the football league. Average home crowds of 4,000. 2 seasons ago they were one Danny Murphy goal from becoming a Championship side. They've won pretty much sod all over the years apart from a few lower league championships and they were losing finalists in the 75 FA Cup final.

If Wimbledons FA Cup win back in 88 was a fairytale journey then this Europa Cup Run for Fulham certainly was.

I appreciate that Hodgson has stepped them up a level over the last 2 years and Fayed has injected cash since he has been around (though it hasnt been anything exceptional when compared to the the other top half of the premiership teams).

As Stu says, they had some great performances along the way Basle, Roma, Juve, Shaktar, Wolfsburg to name a few - Good performances both home and away.

The UEFA/Europa Cup often throws up less fashionable teams in its finals - I guess that is what Fulham are.

Ok I have a soft spot for them as well - The Inlaws are all Fulham! Im gutted they couldnt do it and disappointed Duffs injury appeared too much for him to make any real impact in the game.