http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/20/fulham-coach-europa-league-hamburg (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/20/fulham-coach-europa-league-hamburg)
Fulham to take coach to Europa League tie in Hamburg
• Fulham's trip to the away leg of their semi-final to take 12 hours
• Essex fast bowler Chris Martin to miss Lancashire match
Fulham have confirmed they will travel by road to Germany today for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Hamburg. Flights out of Britain continue to be disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud produced by the erupting Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull.
British airspace reopened this morning having been closed since Thursday, but it could close again this afternoon after the air traffic control company Nats warned the volcano could erupt again.
The Cottagers, who are seeking to reach the first European final in their history, had hoped to fly by private jet to Hamburg tomorrow morning. The team will instead board a luxurious coach to Folkestone this morning, where they will catch the Eurotunnel to Calais before driving to Hamburg on the same coach. It is anticipated that the approximate 600-mile journey will take between 10 and 12 hours to complete. A club spokesman said: "I can confirm that we will be travelling to Germany some time today in line with our contingency plans."
With airports set to close again this afternoon, it is unlikely the Fulham supporters who have bought airline tickets to Germany will be able to fly to Hamburg. Around 2,500 of them have tickets to the game and many are planning to travel by land.
In cricket, Essex will be without the New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin for their County Championship match against Lancashire because of the travel disruption. The 35-year-old's arrival was put back owing to a delay in the processing of his visa and the situation has been compounded by the problems affecting air travel. Martin is not now expected to be available until next week. The Essex first-team head coach Paul Grayson said: "It's disappointing for both ourselves and the player but unfortunately, we can't do anything about the situation."
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6104921,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6104921,00.html)
Fulham confirm long road
Cottagers to make 570-mile land trip to Hamburg
Fulham have confirmed they will travel by road in order to reach Germany for their Europa League game against Hamburg.
The Cottagers take on the Bundesliga outfit on Thursday but travel arrangements have been scuppered by the cloud of volcanic ash that is disrupting flights on the continent.
The semi-final at the HSH Nordbank Arena had been in doubt but the club confirmed the game was set to go ahead on Monday, despite the problems caused by the erupting Icelandic volcano.
Fulham now face a 570-mile trip to reach Hamburg which could hamper their preparation for the game.
Roy Hodgson's men are bidding to reach the club's first ever European final after a fantastic run in the competition so far.
The Cottagers have already knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg in the knockout stages and are aiming to make HSV their next victims.
Parts of UK airspace opened on Tuesday morning but the West Londoners have opted to take the long road to Germany instead.
Liverpool have got a similar problem as they prepare to travel to Atletico Madrid in the other semi-final.
The Reds, though, have an even longer journey to make as they try and get to the Spanish capital in good time.
Meanwhile, Celtic's friendly game against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled due to travel problems.
Celtic said in a statement: "The club is hoping to rearrange the fixture against the Dutch side for the near future."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267483/Liverpool-Fulham-begin-epic-journeys-play-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-ties.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267483/Liverpool-Fulham-begin-epic-journeys-play-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-ties.html?ITO=1490)
Liverpool and Fulham begin their epic journeys to play Europa League semi-final first leg ties
Liverpool and Fulham have set off on epic journeys to Madrid and Hamburg respectively for Thursday's Europa League semi-finals.
UEFA have confirmed the first-leg clashes against Atletico Madrid and Hamburg will go ahead as planned.
The continuing problems caused by the ash spewing from Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull will see the Reds take three separate trains to the south of France before a short flight to Madrid. The marathon trip includes an overnight stop-over in Paris on Tuesday night.
Liverpool officials hope other options for flying to Madrid from the middle of France may become available but the current plan is to travel by train to London, take the Eurostar to Paris and then on Wednesday morning a TGV train to Bordeaux and fly from there across the Pyrenees to Madrid.
The journey will begin with a coach trip from Liverpool's training ground to a station in the north-west making it a real planes, trains and automobiles experience.
The Cottagers, who are chasing their first European final in history, had hoped to fly by private jet to Hamburg on Wednesday morning but they have now admitted defeat and will revert to plan B.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/20/article-1267483-093679C5000005DC-788_468x478.jpg)
The team will now board a luxurious coach to Folkestone, where they will catch the Eurotunnel to Calais before driving to Hamburg on the same coach. It is anticipated that the approximate 600-mile journey will take between 10 and 12 hours to complete.
A club spokesman said: 'I can confirm that we will be travelling to Germany some time today in line with our contingency plans.'
With airports set to close again on Tuesday afternoon, it is unlikely the Fulham supporters who have bought airline tickets to Germany will be able to fly to Hamburg.
Around 2,500 of them have tickets to the game and many have already started making plans to travel by land.
UEFA revealed both last-four games would take place as scheduled.
They said in a statement: "UEFA is continuing to closely monitor the travel situation throughout Europe and beyond, in an effort to confirm the staging of a number of matches that are due to take place this week in UEFA competitions.
'Regarding the UEFA Europa League semi-final first-leg matches scheduled for Thursday 22 April, between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC, and Hamburg SV and Fulham FC, it is planned that both games will go ahead as normal.'
Both the Champions League matches between Inter Milan and Barcelona, and Bayern Munich against Lyon, are going ahead with the visiting teams travelling overland by coach.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267483/Liverpool-Fulham-begin-epic-journeys-play-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-ties.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0liCvqqV8 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267483/Liverpool-Fulham-begin-epic-journeys-play-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-ties.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0liCvqqV8)
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1886825/fulham-to-travel-by-coach-to-hamburg-for-europa-league-tie (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1886825/fulham-to-travel-by-coach-to-hamburg-for-europa-league-tie)
Fulham to travel by coach to Hamburg for Europa League tie
Cottagers not travelling by air
Fulham have confirmed that they will travel by coach to Hamburg for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The volcanic ash cloud has made air travel very difficult, and UEFA's insistence on continuing with the games as planned has meant that affected teams across Europe will have to use a mode of transport other than aeroplane to get to their desired destination.
The club had initially expected to fly to Germany in the hope of carving out the right result in the double-header that is the potential pathway to a first European final in their history.
However, a club spokesman has said: "I can confirm that we will be travelling to Germany some time today in line with our contingency plan."
It is believed that the journey is expected to take between eight and 12 hours.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/CoachTravelUpdate.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/CoachTravelUpdate.aspx)
Coach Travel Update
In light of the current flight restrictions the Club has secured an additional option for fans wishing to attend Thursday night's Europa League Semi-Final (first leg) against Hamburg in Germany.
The Club now has two additional coaches for the trip to Hamburg. Places can now be purchased by Season Ticket Holders, Members or fans with a booking history with FFC. Seats can only be booked by calling the Ticket Office on 0870 442 1234 (option 3).
Coach travel timings are as follows:
Depart Craven Cottage (Wednesday 21 April) 18:00
Eurotunnel depart Folkstone (Wednesday 21 April) 20:50
Eurotunnel arrive Calais (Wednesday 21 April) 22:30
Arrive Hamburg (Thursday 22 April) 10:00
Depart immediately after game (Thursday 22 April)
P&O ferry depart Calais 09:25 (Friday 23 April)
P&O ferry arrive Dover 9:40 (Friday 23 April)
Arrive back to Craven Cottage (Friday 23 April) approx 11:30
The cost per place is £99 (excluding match ticket).
Supporters are advised to bring their passports.
Phone 0870 442 1234 (option 3) to book your place on the coach to Hamburg today.
Fans currently booked on the Fulham Flyer please note: At this present time the Club is awaiting confirmation on whether the Official Flyer will operate as planned.
If you have already booked a place on the Fulham Flyer and now also wish to book a place on the coach, we will be unable to refund the cost of either your coach or flight booking if the Fulham Flyer operates.
However, in the event that the flight is cancelled, you will be refunded the full cost of your flight.
.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/CoachTravelUpdate.aspx#ixzz0liE9IdGr (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/CoachTravelUpdate.aspx#ixzz0liE9IdGr)
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1886905/paul-scharner-to-leave-wigan-athletic-amidst-interest-from-aston- (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1886905/paul-scharner-to-leave-wigan-athletic-amidst-interest-from-aston-)
Paul Scharner to leave Wigan Athletic amidst interest from Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham & Sunderland
Austrian hoping to play on European stage
Paul Scharner has revealed that he will leave Wigan Athletic this summer in order to ply his trade elsewhere.
The Austrian's contract with the Latics expires at the end of the season, and manager Roberto Martinez had previously maintained that there would be no talks until the club's top-flight status had been ensured.
Now the versatile 30-year-old midfielder insists that he is looking forward to playing on the European stage, claiming that at least four Premier League clubs are interested in procuring his services.
"Fulham, Everton, Aston Villa and Sunderland are interested in signing me, which would even guarantee me a spot in Europe," said Scharner, according to The Daily Mail. "So there is no reason to stay here."
Apart from manning the midfield, Scharner can also double up as a defender when called upon to do so.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/HughesonHamburg.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/HughesonHamburg.aspx)
Eye On The Prize
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Hughes/General1.jpg)
Aaron Hughes is determined not to let a volcanic eruption disrupt Fulham's bid to reach a major European Final when the Whites take on Hamburg in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League Semi-Final in Germany on Thursday night.
Hughes and company began their road trip to Hamburg on Tuesday afternoon and the Northern Ireland international highlighted the need to stay focused in light of recent travel disruption across Europe.
"The most important thing is staying focused on the task in hand and just get on with it," Hughes explained to fulhamfc.com.
"We know what's at stake and we've done really, really well to get here and we're eager not to let it go.
"All those games that we've played throughout the season and all the matches that were changed to a Sunday instead of a Saturday – hopefully the extra effort we've put in won't be for nothing in the end.
"We want to take that extra step to the Final. There are a lot of us that haven't won something so prestigious. Obviously Danny's won a few trophies with Liverpool but the majority of us haven't so for us it would be a big thing."
Hughes will be competing against a certain Dutch striker on Thursday night whom the defender knows well from past encounters on the domestic front.
"We know what he [Ruud van Nistelerooy] is like from his time playing in the Premier League with Manchester United. A few of us have played against him before so we know what a threat he poses.
"He's a finisher with a strong, physical presence with a lot of ability. We know he'll be a threat and we'll need to keep an eye on him."
Whilst the focus of attention has now turned towards Thursday night's game in Hamburg, Hughes is determined to record a successful finish to the season on both the domestic and European fronts this season as the Club reaches the business end of the 2009/10 campaign.
"We've come along way since beating Portsmouth to stay up and a lot of people wouldn't have believed we would be here but it's been through a lot of hard work and effort.
"I think for us to finish in the top ten again would be a big achievement. We've done what we set out to do at the start of the season which is to make sure we're in the Premier League next year.
"It would be nice to finish in the top ten again considering all the games we've had to play. We want to finish the season on a high and we've got to keep the momentum going."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/HughesonHamburg.aspx#ixzz0liFMM8Ux (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/HughesonHamburg.aspx#ixzz0liFMM8Ux)
http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6105291/Roy-s-boys-facing-a-long-road-trip (http://www.teamtalk.com/fulham/6105291/Roy-s-boys-facing-a-long-road-trip)
Roy's boys facing a long road trip
Fulham have confirmed they will travel by road in order to reach Germany for their Europa League game against Hamburg on Thursday.
The Cottagers take on the Bundesliga outfit on Thursday but travel arrangements have been scuppered by the cloud of volcanic ash that is disrupting flights on the continent.
The semi-final at the HSH Nordbank Arena had been in doubt but the club confirmed the game was set to go ahead on Monday, despite the problems caused by the erupting Icelandic volcano.
Fulham now face a 570-mile trip to reach Hamburg which could hamper their preparation for the game.
Roy Hodgson's men are bidding to reach the club's first ever European final after a fantastic run in the competition so far.
The Cottagers have already knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg in the knockout stages and are aiming to make HSV their next victims.
Parts of UK airspace opened on Tuesday morning but the West Londoners have opted to take the long road to Germany instead.
Liverpool have got a similar problem as they prepare to travel to Atletico Madrid in the other semi-final.
The Reds, though, have an even longer journey to make as they try and get to the Spanish capital in good time.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/FlyerLatest.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/FlyerLatest.aspx)
Fulham Flyer Latest
Due to the on-going air travel disruption across Europe, the Club is not in a position to confirm whether Thursday's Fulham Flyers to Hamburg will depart as scheduled.
Fulham Football Club would like to assure supporters that the Club is in regular dialogue with the aviation authorities and hoping that conditions improve sufficiently to allow the Flyers to carry Fulham's travelling army of supporters to Hamburg. Clearly at this stage there is a likelihood that the flight may not be allowed to depart, but we still await a decision.
Any further news or updates concerning the Fulham Flyers will be published on fulhamfc.com. In the event that the flights are cancelled, supporters will be refunded the full cost of their flight.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/FlyerLatest.aspx#ixzz0liFqOrdn (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/FlyerLatest.aspx#ixzz0liFqOrdn)
http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/20/1886965/fulham-to-travel-by-coach-to-hamburg-for-europa-league (http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/20/1886965/fulham-to-travel-by-coach-to-hamburg-for-europa-league)
Fulham To Travel By Coach To Hamburg For Europa League Teurie
Cottagers not travelling by air
Fulham have confirmed that they will travel by coach to Hamburg for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
The volcanic ash cloud has made air travel very difficult, and UEFA's insistence on continuing with the games as planned has meant that affected teams across Europe will have to use a mode of transport other than aeroplane to get to their desired destination.
The club had initially expected to fly to Germany in the hope of carving out the right result in the double-header that is the potential pathway to a first European final in their history.
However, a club spokesman has said: "I can confirm that we will be travelling to Germany some time today in line with our contingency plan."
It is believed that the journey is expected to take between eight and 12 hours.
http://www.epltalk.com/supporting-fulham-from-america-my-personal-journey/18390?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EPLTalk+%28EPL+Talk%29 (http://www.epltalk.com/supporting-fulham-from-america-my-personal-journey/18390?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EPLTalk+%28EPL+Talk%29)
Supporting Fulham From America: My Personal Journey
In the United States, it didn't used to be easy to see your favorite English Premier League team each week. Your team might not be shown on broadcast television each week. You might not be able to find your team online either. These challenges however I believe have made me a more dedicated fan of Fulham. Over the past few years I have had to work hard to follow Fulham.
My journey began with the NFL Network and Comcast. I am a diehard fan of the New England Patriots. Several years back Comcast made subscribers purchase the sports and entertainment package to get the NFL Network. That package also included Fox Soccer Channel. I had been a casual fan of the EPL, but nowhere near the fan I am today. I have Comcast to thank for my push into the EPL. The team I grew to follow was Fulham.
My journey of watching Fulham faithfully started in the 2007 season. Fulham were going through a relegation battle. I was completely involved in the week-to-week situation with Fulham. The problem I was having is I could not watch Fulham each week. They were not on FSC each week. At that point I went online and was frustrated by the options.
Websites like ESPNSoccernet.com and Fulhamfc.com became very valuable to me. I started by following gamecasts on my computer. These were updates every couple of minutes of the game action. I kept thinking to myself this is what baseball fans must have felt listening to games on the radio before television. These gamecasts were good, but I still could not watch every game each week.
The next step was listening to the games online through the Fulhamfc.com website. To be honest, listening to the games with the Fulham announcer were very good. It helped me appreciate the experience of being a fan. All of these frustrations just made me want to get into Fulham even more.
Last season I either listened to or followed updates of the Fulham games that were not on Fox Soccer Channel. I was hoping that soon there would be options to watch all of the Fulham games.
This season began with the improvement of options of watching Fulham each week. First, ESPN2 announced they would be covering a game or two each week of the EPL. This was great news and the coverage has been great. I have watched more than a few Fulham games on ESPN2 this season. Fox Soccer Channel also was putting more Fulham matches on their channel.
However, as we progressed into the middle of the 2009/2010 season I still could not watch Fulham each week. That was about to change with the announcement earlier this year that Fox Soccer Channel would be having a sister station called Fox Soccer Plus. This new channel would be showing more EPL games that they took over from Setanta. I thought this was great news. I would finally be able to see the games each week.
Unfortunately for me I have never seen Fox Soccer Plus. When it launched March 1st, my cable provider had not picked up the channel. It still has not picked up the channel. I have emailed and called Comcast several times. Each time they have thanked me for letting them know about my interest. No representative has been able to tell me if or when they will be adding Fox Soccer Plus. Would my journey of watching Fulham each week be delayed again? The answer to this is absolutely not!
Since Fox Soccer Channel and its sister station were taking over the majority of the EPL games they got from Setanta, another site would be changing. Now, many of these matches were going to be on a revamped version of their online channel, FoxSoccer.tv.
Now I have read all of the problems many people have had on Foxsoccer.tv since its re-launch. All I can talk about is my own personal experience. The very first game that was scheduled after March 1st on Foxsoccer.tv with Fulham for some reason never aired. The day of the game it magically disappeared from its schedule. I was disappointed by this, but I was going to check the following week.
That following week I decided to buy a "day pass". The first five minutes of the Fulham match had no audio. Eventually after the five minutes the audio and video were together. The rest of the match I had no issues with the service. The next week I again bought a "day pass" and had no problems with the service. After the second match I watched I bought a monthly pass. I have watched several games now from Fulham and other teams. For me, Foxsoccer.tv has provided the games I want to watch with very good streams.
Again I know people have had problems with FoxSoccer.tv. As time goes by and they improve their service hopefully these issues that others are having will be less and less. In my opinion, all fans of the EPL should be able to watch every game of their favorite team in America.
Since Fulham are playing in the Europa League how would I watch these matches? Many Europa League matches have been shown on GolTV. The coverage of these matches have been great. I would recommend GolTV for any fan of football.
However, there have been several Europa League games that were not shown on GolTV. I was alerted to a website on a Fulham fans messageboard that would be showing the Europa League matches. This site was UEFA.com. Let me tell you the streams on this site are excellent. For fans having issues with Foxsoccer.tv watching Champions League matches, you should check out UEFA.com. They have a pricing option for watching each game and a price for replays.
I have come a long way since looking at gamecasts each week on the internet. I am now watching Fulham each week on the Internet and broadcast television. I am hopeful that my journey of watching Fulham each week has been fulfilled.
I now need to watch every game because I report on the team as a blogger. My website Cottagers Confidential launched last month. This is a website for fans of Fulham. It is a part of sbnation.com. It is important that I have the most up to date information on Fulham. My readers deserve that type of coverage. Please feel free to check out www.cottagersconfidential.com (http://www.cottagersconfidential.com) .
I wanted to write about my personal journey so fans of other teams know they are not alone in there frustrations of watching the EPL every week. In my opinion, the options are growing to watch matches. Let's hope it gets to the point that every fan of each team can watch their club with no frustrations in the United States.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/20/1887276/hamburger-sv-should-not-underestimate-fulham-mladen-petric (http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/20/1887276/hamburger-sv-should-not-underestimate-fulham-mladen-petric)
Hamburger SV Should Not Underestimate Fulham - Mladen Petric
The HSV striker has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Fulham...
Hamburger SV only just missed out on a ticket to last year's UEFA Cup final, but the Rothosen are determined to make it to the final of this year's Europa League. Attacker Mladen Petric has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Fulham though in their semi-final games.
"We shouldn't be looking too much at mistakes we made last season, in order to improve. I think that potentially we have a better team now, with more quality, and if we can demonstrate that, then it will hopefully go better than last time.
"I watched TV coverage of Fulham's win against my old club, FC Basel, in the group stage, but I didn't really pay much attention, because back then nobody thought we would be facing each other.
"I can't say much about them, except that we should never underestimate them because they have already eliminated very big names, and in the last four there are no easy teams."
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1887436/fulham-striker-erik-nevland-to-leave-at-the-end-of-the (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/20/1887436/fulham-striker-erik-nevland-to-leave-at-the-end-of-the)
Fulham striker Erik Nevland to leave at the end of the season
Norwegian set to depart Craven Cottage...
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed striker Erik Nevland will leave the club at the end of the season.
The 32-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, will rejoin Norwegian side Viking Stavanger, where he had had two spells before.
Hodgson had hoped to convince Nevland to stay at Craven Cottage for another season but the striker has opted to join the club where he started his career.
Speaking after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, Hodgson said: "He's a marvellous player, a fantastic professional and a very good footballer.
"He has played a major part in the success we have had in the two and a half years he has been at the club and I must congratulate Viking on the signing. He'll score lots of goals for them."
Nevland joined Fulham from Dutch side Groningen in January 2008 and has scored eight goals in 48 league appearances for the club.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8633390.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8633390.stm)
Smalling needs to stay level-headed - Stuart Pearce
England U21 coach Stuart Pearce has urged Chris Smalling not to let his approaching move to Manchester United change his personality.
The 20 year-old defender moved from Maidstone United to Fulham in 2008, and signed for the Old Trafford club in January 2010.
Pearce told BBC Radio Kent:"The main thing is for Chris to remain the same lad he was at Maidstone United.
"I've worked with him in the under-21s and he's level-headed and intelligent.
"The important thing for him now is to take the opportunity he's been given."
Pearce was in Kent leading a workshop for 70 local coaches, arranged by the county's FA at Dartford's Princes Park Stadium.
It is believed Manchester United paid Fulham £7m for Smalling when they signed him on a four year contract.
"Chris came on to the radar when he signed for Fulham, but now he's gone to Manchester United even more will be expected from him," said Pearce.
"He'll still have his talent, he just needs to fulfil the expectation of him."
Smalling was immediately loaned back to Fulham after the deal was signed with Manchester United.
He has played in the Europa League for the West London Club, and made his Premier League debut against Chelsea in December 2009.
http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=195915 (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=195915)
Fulham - Stockdale on the Way Back!
Since going to Plymouth Argyle, on loan, David Stockdale has proved to be a hit with the Pilgrims supporters.
It`s not been a good season for the club, despite the intervention of Paul Mariner, the ex-Ipswich and Arsenal striker, Plymouth have been relegated.
Last night, Stockdale bade farewell to the Home Park faithful as Plymouth went down 2-0 to the Championship title winners, Newcastle United.
With his loan spell almost at its maximum limit of three months, Stockdale will make his 20th and final appearance for the club in the away fixture with Nottingham Forest before returning to Craven Cottage.
As one who couldn`t see the point of the move considering Plymouth appeared to have a favoured shot-stopper, I take my hat off to David and admit that sometimes I can be wrong.
Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=195915#ixzz0liIArlUO (http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=195915#ixzz0liIArlUO)
http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/defensive-masterclass/ (http://cravencottagenewsround.wordpress.com/2010/04/20/defensive-masterclass/)
Defensive masterclass
Filed under: General — weltmeisterclaude @ 9:17 pm
Amazing fun at the San Siro. When Barca have the ball against most teams it seems like they have too many players; today, it felt like Inter had too many defenders.
The amazing thing was the regularity with which the Inter defenders anticipated tiny little nicks. They'd have a man challenge the runner, that man would invariably get half a foot on the ball, which would then go to a second Inter player. Uncanny.
Also uncanny was the number of relatively clean tackles made on Lionel Messi. Zanetti – how old must he be? – in particular seemed to be reading Messi well. The usual story is that people know where Messi's going but can't stop him, but that wasn't the case at all tonight.
Thiago Motta and Cambiasso were astonishing in front of the back four. They were sometimes almost tied together, a two man wall that got all over the pitch. Other times Cambiasso would be out covering full-backs, or dropping in as a sort of sweeper, or even, late on, pressing up the pitch. Wow.... I was interested in how these two interacted with the back four: for much of the time Inter were more or less playing with a back six, but Lucio (a centre-back) would sometimes step up into space while one of these two dropped back to cover. Depth, they call it. You need it against Barcelona, with all the ways they have of getting through a flat line, but you also, crucially need enough men back for when they do find a chink in your armour. There were always enough men back, there were always people covering.
Inter, like Arsenal, conceded 70% of possession, but this time Barca could get nothing done where it mattered. Phenomenal. Jose Mourinho knows his onions alright. He won't have expected to score three times; that he did was a massive bonus. The second leg could be one of the great European nights. This is what football's about.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267607/Fulham-head-Hamburg-buses-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-tie.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267607/Fulham-head-Hamburg-buses-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-tie.html?ITO=1490)
Fulham head to Hamburg on the buses for their Europa League semi-final first leg tie
Fulham set off for the biggest match in their history by coach on Tuesday, as the flight ban caused by the volcanic ash cloud showed no signs of ending.
Their semi-final against Hamburg on Thursday will be the 17th match of their Europa League campaign - but no-one could have envisaged it would take the team quite so long to get there.
The club took the coach they drive to Premier League matches, but spruced it up with pillows to make the players comfortable for the 600-mile, 24-hour journey.
Fulham left their training ground at lunchtime, drove to Folkestone for the Eurotunnel train to Calais and were planning to drive for at least eight hours before stopping overnight in Germany, near Dortmund.
The team are due to arrive in time to train on the pitch at the Hamburg Arena on Wednesday night and defender Aaron Hughes said: 'The most important thing is staying focused on the task in hand and just getting on with it. We know what's at stake and we've done really, really well to get here and we're eager not to let it go.'
Fulham have put on two extra coaches for season ticket-holders. They will leave Craven Cottage at 6pm and return straight after the game. The trip costs £99 but fans who have booked on the Fulham Flyer trip will not get a refund unless the flight is cancelled.
Commentator Jon Champion and analyst Craig Burley were among an eight-strong ESPN party making their way to Hamburg in two minibuses.
But their TV crew in the second bus were held up in nine miles of tailbacks on the M25 and had to wait for the next ferry from Dover.
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/20/article-1267483-093679C5000005DC-788_468x478.jpg)
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267607/Fulham-head-Hamburg-buses-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-tie.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0liJ40Btt (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267607/Fulham-head-Hamburg-buses-Europa-League-semi-final-leg-tie.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0liJ40Btt)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/21/roy-hodgson-fulham-hamburg-europa-league (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/21/roy-hodgson-fulham-hamburg-europa-league)
How Roy Hodgson steered Fulham on long road to Hamburg
The Cottagers' manager has taken the club from the brink of relegation to a remarkable Europa League odyssey
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'Roy is a gentleman and a football man and, in the modern game, you don't get those things together too often.' Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Action Images
The whistle for half-time shrills at Eastlands and, as the home support break from applause into another rowdy chorus of "Sven-Goran Eriksson", Roy Hodgson peels himself up from his slouch in the visitors' dugout. It is a little after 3.45pm on Saturday 26 April 2008 and Fulham, trailing 2-0, appear condemned to the Championship. Much has been made of the slog the Londoners began yesterday to Hamburg's Nordbank Arena, but nothing compares to the journey this club has embarked upon since Hodgson stared relegation in the face.
A 600-mile coach journey involving a cross‑Channel ferry and a night's stopover sounds nightmarish preparation, but a Europa League semi-final is the stuff of dreams for Fulham. The transformation of this team from the unlikely escapologists of two years ago, to European qualifiers last season and now contenders to lift the recently revamped Uefa Cup remains astonishing. Carlo Ancelotti could claim Chelsea's first ever Double this season. If he fails, Sir Alex Ferguson may steer Manchester United to a fourth Premier League title in succession and his club's 19th domestic championship. Yet Hodgson will still be many people's manager of the year.
Back at Eastlands that afternoon a little shy of two years ago, that prospect was unthinkable. Hodgson had been named as Lawrie Sanchez's successor at Craven Cottage at the end of December 2007 with the side 19th in the Premier League and still reeling from a thrashing at Tottenham Hotspur on Boxing Day. They lost the new manager's first three league games, all derbies, and had won only three of his 15 league matches – hardly the stuff of renaissance – by the time City eased into their two-goal lead. The introduction of Diomansy Kamara 26 minutes from the end smacked of desperation yet, from the moment the Senegalese lashed in the visitors' third deep into stoppage time that afternoon, Fulham have not looked back.
Birmingham and Portsmouth were beaten in the final two games of the campaign, the Cottagers squeezing breathlessly above the cut-off on goal difference at Reading's considerable expense. Theirs had been a frantic, adrenaline-fuelled recovery yet, from the basis of preserving Premier League status, Hodgson has instigated a more measured, long-term revival.
"He changed the whole way we were playing," said Danny Murphy, whose header at Fratton Park on the final day had kept the side up. "He made us more of a footballing team than the direct‑ball team under Lawrie. It hadn't been ideal for the players we had: we had footballers, rather than just 6ft 2in athletes.
"Roy brought in some of his own personnel and made some really astute signings. The squad suddenly had more experience and, with time, we were able to adopt the style and pattern of play that he wanted. It was clear very quickly that we were moving forward as a squad and a team. His knowledge of the game, his philosophies ... he has that temperament a manager needs. He never gets too down, and he doesn't let us get too carried away when we're having a good spell, either."
There have been plenty of them. Mohamed Al Fayed had been seeking style as well as survival in appointing the much-travelled Hodgson, and the manager has provided both. Fulham may not scintillate every week but they are easy on the eye – their wingers are inventive, with Murphy the heartbeat in midfield – organised and fiercely disciplined. This squad is not the deepest, which makes it all the more remarkable that Hodgson has shuffled his pack so efficiently as to stay comfortable in mid-table while playing what could amount to 19 European games. Only Bordeaux, with 20 in 1995-96, have ever played more in a single European campaign. His players are so steeped now in what is expected of them that they have become, in effect, interchangeable, which allowed what appeared to be a second string to play with panache through the early stages of the Europa League.
The method is simple: constant drills to increase awareness of responsibility, discipline and defensive duty. "People say that his sessions aren't always the most free-flowing because he is so meticulous in everything he does," said the former Fulham coach Dave Beasant.
"He probably spends more time preparing the team for what they have to do when they don't have the ball than what they need to do with it. Shape, discipline, knowing where you have to be positioned in relation to your team-mates: he will stop a practice game every couple of minutes to point out if people are out of position or not covering in the right way. It is stop-start, but thorough. You can see the influence his time in Serie A with Inter had on his style. He is a true scholar of football."
There is room for creation within his system, but those mavericks who do not buy into the workaholic structure are moved on. Jimmy Bullard, once this team's talisman, was shipped out to Hull midway through last season for £5m, with a fraction of that money reinvested on the journeyman Dickson Etuhu. He, like Simon Davies, Aaron Hughes, Chris Baird, Paul Konchesky and Bobby Zamora, has thrived amid a "team first, individual second" mentality. "Roy came in with a philosophy and created an organised team," said Murphy. "We have a side made up of effective team players."
Few other Premier League managers spend as much time as Hodgson actually coaching their players on the training pitch. "He has a more continental approach," said Brede Hangeland. "He spends more time on the training ground than other managers over here. He's there every day and does most of the work himself, and is involved in the day-to-day sessions and tactical planning. When he has something to say, people listen."
There are few teams as organised in the top flight these days. Their away record remains unimpressive but, since surviving the 2007-08 season, this side have conceded three goals only four times in the Premier League – at Manchester United, Chelsea, West Ham and Stoke. Liverpool, who would once have considered them cannon fodder, have failed to score against them at Anfield in each of the last two seasons. Manchester United have been humbled twice in the league at Craven Cottage. The rout of Juventus in the last 16 of the Europa League still defies comprehension.
Returning to Hamburg for the Europa League final, a stage Hodgson's Inter graced in 1997, would represent a staggering achievement and, inevitably, further his claim to succeed Fabio Capello with England. For now, though, he and his side serve as an inspiration for the Premier League's current also-rans. "They are a clear example for everyone to follow," said the Wigan manager, Roberto Martínez. "Roy is a gentleman and a football man and, in the modern game, you don't get those things together too often."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham%E2%80%99s-schwarzer-welcomes-underdog-tag-europa-league-785461 (http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham%E2%80%99s-schwarzer-welcomes-underdog-tag-europa-league-785461)
Fulham's Schwarzer welcomes underdog tag in Europa League
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer understands the club should have the underdog tag now they have reached the Europa League semi-finals.
The Australia international has helped guide the Cottagers to the final four of the competition in a first for the London club and ahead of Thursday's semi-final first leg against Germany's Hamburg, Schwarzer knows his side will again be against the odds to get a positive result.
"In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought: 'By rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round,'" Schwarzer said.
"And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters."
Fulham's real belief in the Europa League started when they defeated reigning UEFA League champions Shakhtar Donetsk in the first knockout stage and since then Schwarzer has seen his teammates grow with every challenge.
He also sees a distinct similarity between this Fulham side and the Middlesbrough team he helped reach the 2005/06 UEFA Cup final which they lost to Sevilla.
"There have been a lot of jibes and from opposition teams and players that have written us off even after the first leg, like the Shakhtar Donetsk players," he added.
"I know (right-back Dario) Srna was very, very confident that they were going to beat us in the return leg and even after their game he has been quoted as saying on the internet that there is no way Fulham should have beaten Shakhtar and gone through. He even predicted that we'd get knocked out in the very next round.
"So it's nice to have that in the back of your mind still. We often joke about it still as you like to prove people wrong.
"In fact, there are a lot of similarities between the current Fulham side and that Middlesbrough side that reached the UEFA Cup Final.
"When I was at Middlesbrough people asking why Mark Viduka had gone there from Leeds when there was talk of him going to Roma for £20-odd million?'
"Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Bolo Zenden left Chelsea and came to Middlesbrough and all these people were told that it was a step down or that they had joined us because they couldn't play at a high level anymore.
"The similarities are here at Fulham. People said similar things about me when I first arrived. Danny Murphy as well.
"John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora were bit-part players seen as not being able to take that next step up again.
"But the things being said can create a unique environment because everybody is out to prove the critics wrong."
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/131742/Fulham-s-Aaron-Hughes-defies-volcanic-ash/ (http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/131742/Fulham-s-Aaron-Hughes-defies-volcanic-ash/)
FULHAM'S AARON HUGHES DEFIES VOLCANIC ASH
AARON Hughes has vowed not to let Fulham's Europa League ambitions be blown off course by the volcanic ash cloud.
Fulham hit the road yesterday for a road trip to Hamburg for tomorrow's first leg of their semi-final clash.
Hughes said: "The most important thing is staying focused on the task in hand and just get on with it.
"We know what's at stake and we've done really well to get here and we're eager not to let it go. Hopefully the extra effort we've put in won't be for nothing.
"We want to take that extra step to the final.
"There are a lot of us that haven't won something so prestigious. It would be a big thing."
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2940610/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-I-couldve-played-for-Fulham.html (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2940610/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-I-couldve-played-for-Fulham.html)
I could've played for Fulham!
HAMBURG'S Ruud van Nistelrooy has labelled Fulham a European football revelation - after rejecting a move to Craven Cottage.
The Dutchman was wanted by several Premier League sides in January, including Spurs and Fulham.
But the striker, 33, chose Germany over England as he thought Hamburg stood a better chance of winning trophies.
Now, three months after trading Real Madrid's Bernabeu for the Bundesliga, Van Nistelrooy is preparing to line up against the Cottagers in tomorrow's Europa League semi-final first leg.
The former Manchester United star revealed: "Fulham asked Real about me but did not come up with a concrete proposition.
"The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects. I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season."
But, having seen the Londoners' progression under boss Roy Hodgson, Van Nistelrooy cannot disguise his respect for what they have achieved this season.
He added: "It is incredible that they are in a European semi-final but they fully deserve their success.
"Having said that, if we don't make the final it will be a total disaster. It is impossible to think we might fail."
Van Nistelrooy, who never won a Euro title in his time with PSV Eindhoven, United and Real, has four goals in eight games for Hamburg.
He said: "To play against an English club in a European semi-final is very special for me.
"I am very grateful to English fans because they were always kind. They praised my performances for United even though they might have supported rival teams.
"Now I'm confident for this match and our dream is 180 minutes away.
"If we analyse history, Hamburg are better than Fulham but that means absolutely nothing. Fulham have been a revelation in Europe this season.
"People here think Bobby Zamora is the key to Fulham but we see how compact their team is and how powerful they are in defence. It won't be easy to break them down.
"They have already had some historic results - like the one against Juventus - and the key to victory will be to stop them scoring in the first leg."
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2940610/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-I-couldve-played-for-Fulham.html#ixzz0liLniB12 (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2940610/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-I-couldve-played-for-Fulham.html#ixzz0liLniB12)
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/schwarzer-they-should-make-hamburg-drive-over-for-the-second-leg-1949422.html (http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/schwarzer-they-should-make-hamburg-drive-over-for-the-second-leg-1949422.html)
Schwarzer: 'They should make Hamburg drive over for the second leg'
As Fulham head to Germany by road, and Liverpool take a train to Spain, Glenn Moore asks if they are losing a competitive edge
It was the invention of the jet airliner which enabled European competition to get off the ground a half-century ago. Many Fulham and Liverpool players will this week feel that only the inventions of the PlayStation Portable, iPod and the pocket-sized DVD player make the concept bearable when the airliners are grounded.
Fulham's epic Europa League campaign began in July, has involved 16 matches to date, and featured ties against teams from seven countries. They will nevertheless be covering new ground this week, around 600 miles of it, to play Hamburg in tomorrow's semi-final. That, however, is but a short hop compared to the odyssey Liverpool embarked upon yesterday ahead of their tie against Atletico Madrid.
Departing from Runcorn, where they were mobbed at the railway station, Liverpool yesterday travelled by rail to Paris. This morning they catch another train to Bordeaux before flying to the Spanish capital. They will train tonight, play tomorrow, then, if England's airports remain closed, must make the journey in reverse ahead of Sunday's Premier League match at Burnley.
Valuable as the players' gadgetry will be in keeping minds occupied, it is their bodies that are their managers' main concern. The danger is that such prolonged travel will cause stiffness leading to muscle strains. Clive Lathey, registered osteopath and MSc (sports medicine), a consultant to Liverpool based at the Putney Clinic, has advised on planning for the trip.
"It's not ideal," he said. "Travelling is draining, mentally and physically. It's boring, and it's not good for the physiology, blood flow and so on. The knee and hip joints are in a fixed position and stiffen up, which can shorten the muscles. The lower back stiffens which increases disc pressure. Hydration and diet can suffer.
"When they stop they will need to limber up and do a lot more stretching and mobility exercises than if they had gone by air. But the train is better than a coach, at least they can walk around."
In the circumstances it might have been thought that Liverpool's squad would have walked the half-mile between railway termini from Euston to St Pancras yesterday, but instead a coach was laid on.
Fulham, who face 12 hours' coach travel, broken up by a trip under the English Channel on Eurotunnel, and an overnight stay near the Dutch-German border, trained yesterday morning in London and will do so again this evening in Hamburg. They will stay in Germany after the match, before making a return journey that concludes at Everton on Sunday afternoon.
For goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, no stranger to long trips given his international duty with Australia, the issue is even-handedness. "It's not particularly fair if the ban on flights is lifted and Hamburg just fly across next week," he said. "Uefa should have an arrangement whereby they should be made to take the same path that we've had to; but I'm 95 per cent sure that it won't happen." It could be worse. Fulham's travels this season have taken them to Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania.
Ex-players, and the general public, may have limited sympathy for the players' privitations and manager Rafael Benitez recalled travelling "12 to 14 hours" by coach in his playing days in Spain's lower leagues, though he added: "Now you expect something more comfortable." Lucas, Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder, is also able to draw on past experience. "When I was younger, I played for Gremio in Porto Alegre. My home town was 1300km [800 miles] away in Dourados and I used to go back by coach quite a lot on holiday. That was 24 hours, sometimes more. Even now, when I go to Brazil it takes 24 hours to get there. You just have to relax."
Of the trip to Madrid he said: "It will not be easy but we will have plenty of movies, PSP, books, whatever, and a lot of things to talk about, so we have to enjoy it. We cannot complain because it is the only option. We have to accept it and not think too much about the trip."
All managers know that, if they give players an excuse for failure, some will take it. Benitez, while noting "it could be better to postpone the game," insisted "it will not be a problem."
One man who may be following the teams' progress with interest is Dennis Bergkamp. The former Arsenal striker, now living back in the Netherlands, refused to fly. For domestic matches, such as Sunderland or Newcastle away, he would usually travel by train. Occasionally he played on continental Europe for Arsenal, travelling by car and train as far as Sweden. The last trip was to Paris for the 2006 Champions League final. He was an unused substitute as they lost. This week's adventurers will hope for better fortune.
http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/article/Fulham-views-Hamburg-another-Europa-League-victim-456028.php (http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/sports/article/Fulham-views-Hamburg-another-Europa-League-victim-456028.php)
Fulham views Hamburg another Europa League victim
LONDON (AP) — Having already knocked out UEFA Cup champion Shakhtar Donetsk, overturned a 4-1 deficit against powerhouse Juventus and ousted Bundesliga winner Wolfsburg, Europa League upstart Fulham is out to stop Hamburg reaching a final which will be played in the German club's own stadium.
While Liverpool goes to Atletico Madrid in the other semifinal, Fulham's journey through European football's second tier competition has been a memorable one for a club which has never won a major trophy.
"For me it is the big one, I have not been involved in a game like this before," said Fulham attacking midfielder Zoltan Gera. "It's the biggest that I have ever been part of, and hopefully I will be involved. But it's not just an important one for me, but for everyone at the club.
"It's another step on what has been a fantastic journey."
Hamburg, Liverpool and Atletico have all won European titles in different competitions. But Fulham has never even captured a domestic crown and its best in Europe was winning the lightly regarded InterToto cup, a now defunct qualifying stage of the former UEFA Cup.
Only 10th in the Premier League, Fulham is out to take a big step towards eliminating Hamburg at the same Hamburg Arena where the final will be played on May 12.
"Hamburg are a good side, we know that, but so were Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg," Gera said. "We know that on our day we are more than a match for any side. So we'll go there with the belief that we can do well. We have to."
They didn't gather any belief from being held to 0-0 at home by relegation-threatened Wolves last weekend
Hamburg fared even worse, losing 1-0 at home to Mainz to slip to seventh place in the Bundesliga, five points behind the last spot needed to secure European play next season.
Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy said the poor result against Mainz was extra motivation for Thursday while forward Paolo Guerrero can face Fulham even though his Bundesliga season is over after he was given a five-match ban for throwing a drink bottle at a fan.
Sidelined for the rest of the season after knee surgery, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will miss the two games against former club Atletico Madrid.
He also missed Liverpool's two Champions League matches against the Spanish team last season and midfielder Yossi Benayoun said his absence again would spur his team on to reach the final.
"Fernando is the best striker in the world and, with him, it is much easier," said Benayoun, who scored in Liverpool's 3-0 victory over West Ham on Monday. "But unfortunately he is injured and cannot play. We need to give more to try to play for him because he won us a lot of games and played a big part in us getting to the semifinal.
"We need to try to win the game for him and all the club."
While Liverpool will miss Torres, Atletico won't have the suspended Sergio Aguero.
"Both teams lose a lot, but I think (Aguero's) absence is more notable because he is key to Atletico," midfielder Jose Antonio Reyes said. "His absence will be noted, let's just hope not too much."
Like Fulham, Hamburg and Liverpool, Atletico has played well in Europe compared with its Spanish league form, where it has lost three straight games including Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Villarreal which left the team halfway down the standings.
Because ash blowing across northern Europe from an Iceland volcano have grounded aircraft, the two English teams are making their way to the venues largely overland by train or bus, which is likely to be tiring for the players.
Fulham headed for Hamburg by bus, a journey of 900 kilometers, while Liverpool took three trains plus a flight from Bordeaux to Madrid, stopping over Tuesday night in Paris.
"I'm sorry that they have to travel so many kilometers to get to Madrid, but I'm not sure that that will be noted on the field," Atletico midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado said.
"On top of the trip, they'll also be tired after playing on Monday. But in a semifinal like this you give it your all and I don't think you feel tired."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8625909.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/8625909.stm)
Pantsil questioning delayed
BBC World Service programme Fast Track is still planning to put a selection of your questions to Ghana international defender John Pantsil.
Unfortunately the interview has had to be delayed and so you will not be able to hear it for the time being.
We have had hundreds of questions sent to us through this site.
People asked about the World Cup, Fulham's magnificent season, his fitness and motivation, even how he spells his name.
As soon as we are able to sit down with John we will let you know - and tell you when you will be able to hear what he has to say.
Apologies for any disappointment - but stay tuned!
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6106539,00.html (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6106539,00.html)
Schwarzer happy as underdog
Shot-stopper wants to add Hamburg to list of continental scalps
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer hopes that he and his team-mates continue to silence the critics in the Europa League.
The Cottagers are journeying by coach to Hamburg for Thursday's semi-final first leg as a result of the travel chaos in Europe and they are making the trip aiming to cause another upset.
Fulham have accounted for the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg on their way to the last four and Schwarzer is happy to continue in the role of underdogs.
He said in the Daily Mirror: "In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought, 'by rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round'.
"And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters.
"There have been a lot of jibes and from opposition teams and players that have written us off even after the first leg, like the Shakhtar Donetsk players.
"I know (right-back Dario) Srna was very, very confident that they were going to beat us in the return leg and even after their game he has been quoted as saying on the internet that there is no way Fulham should have beaten Shakhtar and gone through. He even predicted that we'd get knocked out in the very next round.
"So it's nice to have that in the back of your mind still. We often joke about it still as you like to prove people wrong."
http://football.uk.reuters.com/uefacup/news/LDE63J0RV.php?rpc=401 (http://football.uk.reuters.com/uefacup/news/LDE63J0RV.php?rpc=401)
Hamburg hoping to sink Fulham in uncharted waters
By Karolos Grohmann
MUNICH, Germany April 21 (Reuters) - Hamburg SV coach Bruno Labbadia knows he could be out of a job if they fail to advance past England's Fulham in their Europa League semi-final.
Getting a good result in the first leg on Thursday is crucial for the northern German side, who have slipped to seventh in the Bundesliga after a disastrous second part of the season saw them record only four wins in 14 games. They are also unlikely to claim a place in the Europa League next season.
Labbadia said his team had not played to their full potential in a shock 1-0 defeat to visitors Mainz at the weekend, but he could be the one paying the price if Hamburg fail to advance to the Europa League final on May 12 at their own stadium.
Labbadia will be able to call on striker Paolo Guerrero for the match against Fulham. The Peruvian is suspended from league duty for an attack on a fan.
"Unfortunately I had to watch from the stands on the weekend and could not help the team but I am available for the Europa League," said the 26-year-old striker, who missed most of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
"I want to show that I am back in top form."
Hamburg will be missing experienced midfielder Marcell Jansen, whose World Cup hopes are in doubt due to a long-term injury.
UNCHARTED WATERS
Fulham have had to travel by train under the English Channel due to the flight disruptions from the volcanic ash spreading from Iceland, and the semi-finals of a major European competition represents uncharted waters for the west London club.
A little more than two years after coach Roy Hodgson arrived with the club in dire danger of relegation, any sense of inferiority on the European stage was blown away by their stunning victory over Juventus and their elimination of German champions VfL Wolfsburg in the last two rounds.
"The most important thing is staying focused on the task in hand and just get on with it," defender Aaron Hughes told www.fulhamfc.com (http://www.fulhamfc.com).
"We know what's at stake and we've done really, really well to get here and we're eager not to let it go. We want to take that extra step to the final.
"There are a lot of us that haven't won something so prestigious. Obviously Danny Murphy's won a few trophies with Liverpool but the majority of us haven't so for us it would be a big thing."
Fans who endured their last two goalless Premier League games will be hoping for better things on Thursday but only a few hundred are expected to attend the game because of the travel difficulties.
Bobby Zamora, who has scored six goals in the competition this season, is Fulham's key weapon and is seeking his 20th goal in all to support his late bid for an England World Cup call-up.
Probable teams:
Hamburg: 1-Frank Rost, 6-Dennis Aogo, 5-Joris Mathijsen, 17-Jerome Boateng, 20-Guy Demel; 14-David Jarolim, 15-Piotr Trochowski, 8-Ze Roberto, 13-Robert Tesche; 22-Ruud van Nistelrooy, 9-Paolo Guerrero.
Fulham: 1-Mark Schwarzer, 2-Paul Konchesky, 5-Brede Hangeland, 6-Chris Baird, 18-Aaron Hughes, 20-Dickson Etuhu, 16-Damien Duff, 11-Danny Murphy, 11-Zoltan Gera, 29-Simon Davies, 25-Bobby Zamora.
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/SchwarzerHamburgPreview.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/SchwarzerHamburgPreview.aspx)
The Final Step
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Schwarzer/general1.jpg)
Mark Schwarzer was keen to brush aside Fulham's travel disruptions and focus on the positives as Roy Hodgson's Team prepare for the biggest game in the Club's history on Thursday night.
"I've never come across a situation like this before and it's a difficult situation to judge," said Schwarzer of the volcanic ash that has disrupted air travel across Europe. "You've got to look on the bright side and you can't let it get you down. The players are looking forward to a Semi-Final.
"It's just the way things are and everyone's in the same predicament all over Europe. From what I hear the last time this volcano erupted it blew smoke for two years so I think we should all go and buy shares in Eurostar and P&O. Those shares will skyrocket if this continues!"
Fulham are approaching Thursday night's encounter with the same mindset that has served them so well thus far in the UEFA Europa League and Schwarzer is planning to prove the doubters wrong once again against Hamburg on Thursday night.
"The Carling Cup is the only thing I've ever won," explained Schwarzer. "I've been involved in an FA Cup Final when I first went to Middlesbrough but I was Cup-tied. When you get to this stage of a major Cup competition obviously you want to try and take the next step.
"We've had the philosophy from day one that we've always just looked at the next round - we can't deflect from that direction and understanding now because we're so close.
"This is the stage where you can get excited and lose focus and throw it all away. It will be a momentous evening for the Club and the players. We understand how important it is for everyone associated with Fulham Football Club.
"Every round, even in the group stages, we've looked at our opposition and by rights we're not supposed to be here. That's worked in our favour – we've gone about our business and had the self-belief and it's nice to prove people wrong. We've been doing that since I joined the Club as have most of the Team."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/SchwarzerHamburgPreview.aspx#ixzz0lj2IL4gP (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/SchwarzerHamburgPreview.aspx#ixzz0lj2IL4gP)
http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/schwarzer-enjoys-knocking-doubters-1053698.html (http://www.eatsleepsport.com/fulham/schwarzer-enjoys-knocking-doubters-1053698.html)
Schwarzer enjoys knocking doubters
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer claims Fulham are thriving on being underdogs in their bid to reach the Europa League final this season.
The Australia international veteran has played a key role in the Londoners march to the semi-finals of the competition, which has seen them dump high-profile sides such as reigning UEFA League champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Italian giants Juventus and German champions Wolfsburg out of the competition.
Hamburg await in the semi-finals with the first leg due to take place in Germany on Thursday night and Schwarzer claims the fact many outsiders have not given them hope of winning the tie will again boost the Cottagers.
"In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought: 'By rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round,'" Schwarzer said.
"And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters."
Schwarzer also sees similarities between Fulham and his former club Middlesbrough, who he helped to reach the UEFA Cup final in 2006.
He added: "When I was at Middlesbrough people asking why Mark Viduka had gone there from Leeds when there was talk of him going to Roma for £20-odd million?'
"Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink and Bolo Zenden left Chelsea and came to Middlesbrough and all these people were told that it was a step down or that they had joined us because they couldn't play at a high level anymore.
"The similarities are here at Fulham. People said similar things about me when I first arrived. Danny Murphy as well.
"John Pantsil and Bobby Zamora were bit-part players seen as not being able to take that next step up again.
"But the things being said can create a unique environment because everybody is out to prove the critics wrong."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/KoncheskyHamburgPreview.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/KoncheskyHamburgPreview.aspx)
Konch On Ruud Threat
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/Images/MainNews/NewsPages/Players/Konchesky/EuropaGeneral1.jpg)
Paul Konchesky is relishing the prospect of Thursday evening's UEFA Europa League Semi-Final against Hamburg in Germany.
The Fulham left-back has reclaimed his place in the starting eleven after returning from an ankle ligament injury sustained in Fulham Barclays Premier League encounter against Blackburn Rovers in January.
"I missed seven to ten games and the Team was doing well," Konchesky explained as he looked back on his spell on the sidelines.
"I went to see a consultant straight away, I was quite lucky that I didn't need an operation. Once I knew that, I could get my head around the fact that it was going to take time. It was seven weeks of hard work but I've got myself fit again and I feel as good as I did before the injury.
"I don't like missing games so it was hard to take. I'd enjoyed my time up to that point and I'm now enjoying being fit, getting back into the Team and helping the Team do well. The Europa League has pushed me on a bit more. "
Having already negotiated the likes of Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus - Fulham's place in the Semi-Final was booked courtesy of home and away victories over German champions, VfL Wolfsburg.
"We knew that was going to be tough against Wolfsburg," said Konchesky. "It was good to get a great lead but we were disappointed with the goal they scored late in the first leg, but we still went into the second-leg with the lead. Scoring very early on out there meant so much; it took a bit of pressure off us."
Fulham fans will undoubtedly be familiar with one particular member of the Hamburg side, none other than Ruud van Nistelrooy. And Konchesky is certainly wary of the threat the Dutchman poses.
"Everyone knows how good Ruud is from his time in England, how many goals he can score and how dangerous he is," Konchesky explained. "He's obviously still got that because he's still playing for the best teams. It didn't really work out for him at Real Madrid but now he's gone to Hamburg and he must be doing something right because they're having a good season."
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/KoncheskyHamburgPreview.aspx#ixzz0lj2sKjwv (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/KoncheskyHamburgPreview.aspx#ixzz0lj2sKjwv)
http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/euro-rivals-striker-reveals-cottage-snub-1053694.html (http://www.clubcall.com/fulham/euro-rivals-striker-reveals-cottage-snub-1053694.html)
Euro rivals' striker reveals Cottage snub
Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has confirmed that he turned down a chance to join Fulham as he looks to knock them out of Europe.
The veteran Dutch hitman had been heavily linked with a switch to Craven Cottage from Real Madrid last summer, but decided against a return to the Premier League for a move to Hamburg in the German Bundesliga. And Van Nistelrooy is now being charged with the task of scoring the goals to send his side to the Europa League final at the expense of Roy Hodgson's men.
Fulham are making the long journey to Hamburg via road and ferry after all flights were cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud hanging over northern Europe. And Van Nistelrooy feels Thursday's first leg result will be crucial for his side to progress into the final.
On his decision to snub Fulham, the former Manchester United star told the Sun: "Fulham asked Real about me, but did not come up with a concrete proposition.
"The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects. I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season."
On the Cottagers European progress, he added: "It is incredible that they are in a European semi-final, but they fully deserve their success.
"Having said that, if we don't make the final it will be a total disaster. It is impossible to think we might fail.
"Now I'm confident for this match and our dream is 180 minutes away.
"If we analyse history, Hamburg are better than Fulham, but that means absolutely nothing. Fulham have been a revelation in Europe this season.
"People here think Bobby Zamora is the key to Fulham, but we see how compact their team is and how powerful they are in defence. It won't be easy to break them down.
"They have already had some historic results, like the one against Juventus, and the key to victory will be to stop them scoring in the first leg."
http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/Fulham-s-Mark-Schwarzer-wants-travel-retribution?urn=sow%2C235561 (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/blog/sow_experts/post/Fulham-s-Mark-Schwarzer-wants-travel-retribution?urn=sow%2C235561)
Fulham's Mark Schwarzer wants travel retribution
By Brooks Peck
(http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_sow_experts__4/ept_sports_sow_experts-532411461-1271836356.jpg?ymELEBDDvo2zUOkp)
"Uh, excuse me, Mr. Turdbrain -- I mean, Mr. Platini?"
I know some of you have already said it, but now Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is saying what is surely on the minds of every player who has had to make a grueling trip by bus or train for European fixtures this week:
"It's not particularly fair if the ban on flights is lifted and Hamburg just fly across next week. UEFA should have an arrangement whereby they should be made to take the same path that we've had to; but I'm 95 per cent sure that it won't happen."
Well I'm 100 per cent sure it won't happen, Mark.
Fulham are in the midst of a 12-hour bus trip that took them under the English Channel via Eurotunnel, had them spend a night on the Dutch-German border, then regain blood flow to their legs with training on Wednesday evening upon arrival in Hamburg for their Europa League semifinal match on Thursday, followed by a trip all the way back before an away match at Everton on Sunday. And by the time Fulham return home from that game, Schwarzer will probably be demanding that Hamburg walk the whole way with hypodermic needles in their shoes.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23826497-paul-konchesky-spots-a-route-to-world-cup.do (http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-23826497-paul-konchesky-spots-a-route-to-world-cup.do)
Paul Konchesky spots a route to World Cup
(http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/52konches_415x326.jpg)
Paul Konchesky isn't moaning about Fulham's gruelling journey here for tomorrow's Europa League semi-final because he hopes it might lead to a longer trip to South Africa this summer.
The two-day overland trek to Germany — caused by the volcanic ash cloud grounding flights across much of Europe — gave the players plenty of time to look back on a season in which they have exceeded expectations.
In Konchesky's case he could reflect on the excellent form, which may yet convince Fabio Capello to add him to England's World Cup squad as cover for left-back Ashley Cole.
Ahead of the first leg against Hamburg, the Londoner said: "If the team keep doing well, you never know what could be round the corner."
Sven-Goran Eriksson handed Konchesky his England debut against Australia in 2003 and also gave him his second cap against Argentina two seasons later.
That was the 28-year-old's last international and he admitted: "I'm gutted there's not been more. But there is a world-class defender in Ashley — he's probably everything you want in a left-back. Other than that, I know Wayne Bridge has been in there, and he's all right. But Leighton Baines got a chance last time out [against Egypt in March], so a position might still be open."
Bridge, of course, has made himself unavailable for further international duty. So how compelling is Konchesky's case to be in Capello's squad?
His style, making overlapping runs down the left wing, is similar to that of Chelsea's Cole. And his pin-point crossing has helped re-establish that other England hopeful, Bobby Zamora, as a regular goal scorer this term.
The whippet-like defender said: "Those runs were part of my game when I started out at Charlton and it developed under Alan Pardew at West Ham. He really wanted his full-backs to go. I brought it with me to Fulham. We play with a tight midfield and the manager, Roy Hodgson, likes his full-backs to get forward. That suits my style."
Konchesky has also proved he can play as a member of a tight defensive unit, which will be as vital to England's World Cup challenge as it has been to Fulham's remarkable march on Europe highlighted by shock victories over Shakhtar Donetsk, last year's UEFA Cup winners, and Italian giants Juventus.
Since Hodgson replaced Lawrie Sanchez, responsible for signing Konchesky from West Ham for £2.5million in July 2007, Fulham have built upon the foundation of a defence mainly featuring goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Konchesky, Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes and John Pantsil.
Konchesky said: "Part of our success is down to the work we do with the manager and his staff. You can tell on the pitch we're a well-worked team. We know everyone's position and we know the shape we're supposed to keep.
"Results don't lie. Look at our Premier League position and where we are in the Europa League."
As Pantsil has not been eligible for the second
half of the European campaign, either Chris Baird or Simon Davies will start at right-back tomorrow.
Konchesky, though, has no qualms about a change for the defence, which will be charged with containing the goal threat posed by former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
"This season has been a bit stop-start with injuries to John and myself but whoever has come in for us has bonded straight away with Brede and Aaron in the middle," he said.
Konchesky acknowledged that his England ambitions were not helped by his seven-week absence with an ankle ligament injury sustained at Blackburn in mid-January. He said: "That was a killer blow for me but now I feel as fit as I was before that game."
There is also a wary acceptance that the clamour for Zamora to be given an England call has yet to be heeded by national manager Capello. But Konchesky believes reaching the final, which will be back at Hamburg's HSH Nordbank Arena on 12 May, would be a big boost for his prolific team-mate.
He said: "If the team continue to do well, Bobby will thrive on that. If he can score more goals then he's got a great chance of going to the World Cup."
The two men go back a long way, to when they both played for the legendary Senrab youth team based in east London which also produced, among others John Terry, Sol Campbell, Lee Bowyer, Ledley King and Jermain Defoe.
Konchesky said: "I used to play left-wing in those days. Bobby was still up top but he was quite small back then, not like he is now. But he worked hard, he's got stronger and stronger, and he's turned out to be a fantastic player."
They were both members of the West Ham team beaten on penalties by Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium.
For Konchesky, who scored a rare goal that day, the nightmare of that heartbreaking defeat will provide an extra spur tomorrow and in the return leg next Thursday.
He said: "People want to go to finals and when you get to finals you want to win them. It was a disappointing thing for me to go to Cardiff and lose. If we get to the final this time, I want to go home being a winner."
http://www.tribalfootball.com/lucescu-backing-fulham-win-europa-league-785961 (http://www.tribalfootball.com/lucescu-backing-fulham-win-europa-league-785961)
Lucescu backing Fulham to win Europa League
Shakhtar Donetsk boss Mircea Lucescu is backing Fulham to win the Europa League.
Lucescu's side won the competition under its previous guise - the UEFA Cup - last season but were knocked out of the revamped competition this term by the Cottagers.
And he is tipping Roy Hodgson's team to beat Hamburg in the semis before seeing off Atletico Madrid or Liverpool in the final.
Lucescu said: "Fulham can do it because they have improved from one match to the next. They are more powerful than at the beginning."
And he claims Hodgson is the secret to their success, adding: "He's a strategist and a very tactical coach who has a good understanding with his players."
http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/WednesdayFlyerUpdate.aspx (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/WednesdayFlyerUpdate.aspx)
Fulham Flyer Update
The Club is currently awaiting confirmation that German Airspace is allowing planes to fly into Germany and following the opening of this air space, that Fulham FC's official tour partner is able to operate the flight which will allow Fulham's Flyers to travel to Hamburg as scheduled on Thursday.
The Club would like to thank supporters hoping to attend Thursday night's Semi-Final (first leg) in Germany for their ongoing patience. As soon as further news concerning the Flyers is received from the Club's official tour operator the Club will publish a further announcement on fulhamfc.com with immediate affect.
Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/WednesdayFlyerUpdate.aspx#ixzz0ljTDqR8N (http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/WednesdayFlyerUpdate.aspx#ixzz0ljTDqR8N)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267738/Fulham-keeper-Mark-Schwarzer-believes-Cottagers-confound-critics-reach-Europa-League-final.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267738/Fulham-keeper-Mark-Schwarzer-believes-Cottagers-confound-critics-reach-Europa-League-final.html?ITO=1490)
Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer believes Cottagers can confound critics again and reach Europa League final
(http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/04/21/article-0-09100EC5000005DC-933_233x349.jpg)
Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has insisted his team-mates can continue to silence the critics and reach the final of the Europa League.
The Londoners take on Hamburg in the semi-finals, with a place in next month's final in the German city up for grabs.
Fulham have seen off Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg on their way to the last four, and Schwarzer is happy to continue in the role of underdogs.
He said: 'In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought, 'by rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round.
'And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters.'
He added in the Daily Mirror: 'There have been a lot of jibes and from opposition teams and players that have written us off even after the first leg, like the Shakhtar Donetsk players.
'I know (right-back Dario) Srna was very, very confident that they were going to beat us in the return leg and even after their game he has been quoted as saying on the internet that there is no way Fulham should have beaten Shakhtar and gone through. He even predicted that we'd get knocked out in the very next round.
'So it's nice to have that in the back of your mind still. We often joke about it still as you like to prove people wrong.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267738/Fulham-keeper-Mark-Schwarzer-believes-Cottagers-confound-critics-reach-Europa-League-final.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ljUXZvCG (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267738/Fulham-keeper-Mark-Schwarzer-believes-Cottagers-confound-critics-reach-Europa-League-final.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ljUXZvCG)
http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/21/1888350/europa-league-preview-hamburg-fulham (http://www.goal.com/en/news/166/europa-league/2010/04/21/1888350/europa-league-preview-hamburg-fulham)
Europa League Preview: Hamburg - Fulham
Now into the final four of Europe's silver medal event, the Cottagers will try to maintain their dream run at HSV's expense...
One Step Beyond
Either Hamburg or Fulham will return to the HSH Nordbank Arena in three weeks' time to compete in the final of the Europa League, and the identity of which side will progress should become a little clearer after Thursday's first leg encounter at the German venue.
For hosts HSV, playing at their own stadium in a European final has clearly been a driving force for their progression in the competition, which has started to eclipse a Bundesliga campaign that at one stage hinted at a top three finish. Bruno Labbadia's men have stuttered a little of late domestically, with their latest disappointment a 1-0 defeat against Mainz last weekend that has consigned them to seventh in the table.
The dip in form has not helped Labbadia's standing in the eyes of HSV president Bernd Hoffmann, and the German media is presently speculating who will replace the 44-year-old at the helm of the side. Gerard Houllier has been mentioned in the past, but Englishman Steve McClaren is now one of the favourites for the role.
Such disappointing form on the Bundesliga front hasn't stopped the march of the Rothosen into the depths of continental competition. Having negotiated a group containing Hapoel Tel Aviv, Celtic and Rapid Vienna, HSV eliminated a trio of clubs from the Low Countries - PSV, Anderlecht and Standard Liege - in the knockout stages en route to the semis.
After tripping up late in the competition last season, striker Mladen Petric is keen to avoid such a mishap this term. "We shouldn't be looking too much at mistakes we made last season," he declared to the press. "I think that potentially we have a better team now, with more quality, and if we can demonstrate that, then it will hopefully go better than last time."
Having stumbled against Wolfsburg last season, HSV must now eliminate die Wolfe's vanquishers from this term's competition.
Impressive
Roy Hodgson's Fulham have achieved great things since the former Inter coach rescued them from the clutches of relegation when he took charge at Craven Cottage in 2007. The 62-year-old Englishman has led the Cottagers from strength-to-strength over the past three years, and undoubtedly the highlight of his tenure with the London club has been this fairytale run in the Europa League.
A string of big clubs have had their scalp taken by the Premier League side, who have never previously reached a European final. Victory over Juventus will be remembered as the pinnacle of the campaign, with Clint Dempsey's audacious chip eliminating the Bianconeri after trailing 4-1 on aggregate at one stage.
Arguably the best team that Fulham have eliminated, however, are reigning UEFA Cup champions Shakhtar Donetsk, and Mircea Lucescu, coach of the Ukrainians, has sponsored Fulham to achieve great things against Hamburg.
"Fulham can do it even if they have to play against Liverpool or Atletico Madrid in the final, because they have improved their game from one match to the next," the Romanian is quoted to have said to UEFA's official website. "They are much more powerful than at the beginning. They are a good, very organised team and have a very good coach."
Hodgson, a much-travelled manager, has seen some sights in his days, which include spells in Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and the UAE, but the long coach journey to Hamburg, caused by the cloud of volcanic ash above Europe, ahead of such an important match is doubtless an unwelcome new experience. Rest assured that Fulham's amiable general will not, however, accept this as a potential excuse should his side struggle against HSV.
FORM GUIDE
Hamburg
LOST 1-0 (h) Mainz (Bundesliga, April 17)
WON 2-1 (a) Bochum (Bundesliga, April 11)
WON 3-1 (a) Standard Liege (Europa League, April 8)
DREW 0-0 (h) Hannover (Bundesliga, April 4)
WON 2-1 (h) Standard Liege (Europa League, April 1)
Fulham
DREW 0-0 (h) Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League, April 17)
DREW 0-0 (a) Liverpool (Premier League, April 11)
WON 1-0 (a) Wolfsburg (Europa League, April 8)
WON 2-1 (h) Wigan Athletic (Premier League, April 4)
WON 2-1 (h) Wolfsburg (Europa League, April 1)
TEAM NEWS
Hamburg
Bruno Labbadia has a number of unwelcome headaches prior to Thursday's game. The coach will be without regular starters such as Marcell Janssen and Mladen Petric due to injury problems, though the key absentee is Dutch winger Eljero Elia, who is not expected to feature again this season.
Jonathan Pitroipa, who did much to help them through in the previous round against Standard Liege, is expected to shake off a knock to start.
Probable Starting XI: Rost; Demel, Mathijsen, Boateng, Aogo; Trochowski, Ze Roberto, Jarolim, Pitroipa; Guerrero, Van Nistelrooy
Fulham
Andrew Johnson is a long-term problem for Fulham, while Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka are ineligible and can't play any part in this fixture.
Clint Dempsey's place in the team is uncertain as he is carrying a foot problem and may require a late check, though there is better news regarding John Paintsil, who was able to take a spot on the bench last weekend after an extended period on the sidelines.
Probable Starting XI: Schwarzer; Baird, Hangeland, Hughes, Konchesky; Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Davies; Gera, Zamora
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hamburg
Ruud van Nistelrooy will be asked to provide the cutting edge for HSV in attack. While the Rothosen have generally been sound defensively for the majority of the season, scoring goals has proven to be something of a problem for them. The veteran Dutchman is, of course, an expert at putting the ball in the net, so expect him to cause the Cottagers more than a few problems come Thursday.
Fulham
Bobby Zamora has been a revelation for the London club this season, to such an extent that there have been regular calls for the former West Ham United forward to be called into Fabio Capello's England panel for the World Cup. The 29-year-old has a formidable goal-getting record in the Europa League, having found the net eight times in 14 games, and his physique and strength are sure to cause the German's problems.
PREDICTION
Both of these sides have been going superbly in Europe, though it is the Premier League outfit who have arguably caused the greater stir, having already enjoyed success against the likes of Juventus and Wolfsburg en route to the last four. The Cottagers may have already won on German soil previously in this competition, but the likelihood of them doing so again is not especially high as they tend to be poor on their travels, and a lengthy coach journey won't have aided them any.
Hamburg 1-1 Fulham
http://www.101greatgoals.com/can-fulham-take-advantage-of-hamburgs-internal-crisis-to-claim-another-major-europa-league-scalp/53360/ (http://www.101greatgoals.com/can-fulham-take-advantage-of-hamburgs-internal-crisis-to-claim-another-major-europa-league-scalp/53360/)
Can Fulham take advantage of Hamburg's internal crisis to claim another major Europa League scalp?
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Hamburg v Fulham, Europa League semi-final first leg, April 22, 2010
Hamburg 1.69; Draw 3.50; Fulham 5.25
Roma. Basel. Shakhtar Donetsk. Juventus. Wolfsburg. So, will Hamburg be next for European football's surprise package Fulham?
At the start of this season's Europa League, not even the biggest Fulham optimist would even joke that Roy Hodgson's ragtag bunch of misfits would be in the semi-final of the competition. And more amazing perhaps, no-one would have dared dream that the Cottagers would be worthy of reaching this far in the tournament. Yet, after dispatching of European football's toughest and most seasoned opponents Fulham are fully deserving of their moment in the spotlight and perhaps - just perhaps - they could cause one last upset and beat HSV. (Fulham are 5.75 to win the Europa League, Hamburg are 2.90.)
"In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought: 'By rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round.' And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters." - Mark Schwarzer.
Bobby Zamora, who has scored six goals in the competition this season, is Fulham's key weapon, and should the former Brighton forward net his 20th goal in all competitions it would seem even more difficult for Three Lions coach Fabio Capello to leave the in-form England hitman out of his World Cup squad.
There is more good news for Fulham though with the return of several stars at just the right time. John Pantsil has been out since December with a knee injury but after playing a reserve game last week the defender may have to settle for a place on the bench. Elsewhere, Clint Dempsey could seal a place in the starting eleven after missing last weekend's goalless draw with Wolves with a thigh injury, while Simon Davies returned to the team against Wolves and should get the nod to start the match on the right hand side.
Yet, rather than focus on single player participation, where Roy Hodgson has been truly successful has been developing a "team first, individuals second" mentality. Accordingly, the experienced pros such as Danny Murphy, Damien Duff and keeper Mark Schwarzer have been able to bond brilliantly with the likes of Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, Dickson Etuhu and the exciting Zoltan Gera to form a well-oiled and effective unit.
Hamburg, who have the carrot of knowing that the Europa League final will be played at their home HSH Nordbank Arena on May 12th, will prove as tough as any opponent Fulham have faced so far in this season's tournament.
But Hamburg do have their own internal problems to contend with. At the halfway point of the season, Hamburg sat fourth in the league, four points off the lead and seemingly on course for a Champions League berth as well as habouring hopes for the Bundesliga. Since, however, their domestic form has dipped sharply and they now lie in lowly seventh, a cool 15 points off pace-setters Bayern.
That has left many to question whether coach Bruno Labbadia made the right decision to bring in Ruud van Nistelrooy in the winter transfer window, as opposed to signing a quality defender to shore up their leaky backline. And in truth the criticism against Labbadia, which again grew louder last weekend when lowly Mainz ran out 1-nil visitors at Hamburg, is wider than the signing of RVN with fallouts at the club a constant factor this season.
As reported by Raphael Honigstein, "cack-handed attempts to act as a tough disciplinarian have seen [Labbadia] lose respect in the dressing room; Brazilian midfielder Zé Roberto publicly exposed the manager's lack of authority when he came back a week late from his winter holidays. Since then, Labbadia has systematically alienated almost every player by making strange substitutions and bizarre tactical decisions. On Saturday, the crowd booed when captain David Jarolim, the last remaining supporter of Labbadia in the dressing room, was hauled off after 69 minutes for 20-year-old debutant Sören Bertram... The next day, Rost resigned from his post on the players council after a public rebuke from Labbadia. The 35-year-old had taken five team-mates to watch Clash of the Titans the night before the Mainz game. They were back in the team hotel before curfew but Labbadia wasn't happy."
With so much disruption at the club, many players are reported to want out this summer. And that may inspire Manchester City fans to tune into this match as German 21-year-old defender Jerome Boateng is mooted as being a likely target for the Citizens this summer.
Hmaburg arrive into this match with their fair share of injuries too, with Mladen Petric, Jose Paolo Guerrero, Marcell Jansen, Eljero Elia and Romeo Castelen all sidelined with injury.
Having witnessed Fulham reach this stage of the tournament and defy the boo-boys time after time, betting against the Cottagers upsetting the odds once again could be compared to being like the boy who cried wolf. Nevertheless, despite all their problems, Hamburg have quality sprinkled throughout their team, and a narrow German victory can be expected.
101gg predicts: Hamburg 1 - Fulham 0 (6.07)
Hamburg 1.69; Draw 3.50; Fulham 5.25
http://football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/04/21/hamburg-v-fulham-preview-ruud-van-nistelrooy-provides-the-major/ (http://football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/04/21/hamburg-v-fulham-preview-ruud-van-nistelrooy-provides-the-major/)
Hamburg v Fulham Preview: Ruud Van Nistelrooy Provides the Major Threat
FULHAM:
The further you go in a cup competition, the more difficult it becomes, but Fulham never envisaged they would have to put in so much effort just to get to to their Europa League semi-final first leg in the first place.
But, then again, for a team that has already clocked up more than 17,000 miles in the Europa League, a road and rail trip to Hamburg shouldn't pose too many additional problems.
Roy Hodgson's side, who found themselves in action at the foot of Russia's Ural Mountains in the qualifiers, are close to going all the way in the inaugural Europa League.
Only Hamburg - featuring former Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy - now stand in their way between a place in the final and a return to this stadium, which will be staging the climax to the competition.
The Iceland volcano that grounded planes for almost a week forced Fulham to make a 24-hour journey by coach, train and coach again to reach their destination.
Centre-back Aaron Hughes was determined not to let the inconvenience distract them. "The most important thing is staying focused on the task in hand and just getting on with it. We know what's at stake and we've done really, really well to get here. We are eager not to let it go."
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer agreed. "I've never come across a situation like this before and it's a difficult situation to judge," he said "You've got to look on the bright side and you can't let it get you down.
"It's just the way things are and everyone's in the same predicament all over Europe. From what I hear the last time this volcano erupted it blew smoke for two years so I think we should all go and buy shares in Eurostar and P&O. Those shares will skyrocket if this continues!"
Strategy: Fulham will look to keep in tight in Hamburg. Not just because they are the away side in an important two-legged fixture but because that's the way they play. No Premier League side is more capable of grinding out a 0-0 draw but Fulham will look to Bobby Zamora for an all-important away goal, which the striker provided in the quarter-finals in Wolfsburg.
And whatever Hamburg attempt you can bet that the meticulous Hodgson will have tried to prepare his players for it on the training ground. "People say that his sessions aren't always the most free-flowing because he is so meticulous in everything he does," said the former Fulham coach Dave Beasant.
"He probably spends more time preparing the team for what they have to do when they don't have the ball than what they need to do with it. Shape, discipline, knowing where you have to be positioned in relation to your team-mates: he will stop a practice game every couple of minutes to point out if people are out of position or not covering in the right way. It is stop-start, but thorough. You can see the influence his time in Serie A with Inter had on his style. He is a true scholar of football."
Injury Update: Defender John Pantsil is back in the fold following a serious knee injury sustained in December. David Elm has been struggling to recover from a virus while Clint Dempsey (thigh) and Andy Johnson (knee) missed the 0-0 draw with Wolves at the weekend.
HAMBURG:
Much will depend on the impact of Nistelrooy who could have been playing for Fulham instead of against them. The Dutchman had known his time at Real Madrid was coming to an end and eventually left for Hamburg in January. "Fulham asked Real about me, but did not come up with a concrete proposition," he said. "The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects. I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season."
Defender Paul Konchesky admitted the 33-year-old was already on his mind. "Everyone knows how good Ruud is from his time in England, how many goals he can score and how dangerous he is," he said. "He's obviously still got that because he's still playing for the best teams. It didn't really work out for him at Real Madrid but now he's gone to Hamburg and he must be doing something right because they're having a good season."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267749/Fulham-store-Ruud-awakening-Van-Nistelrooy-plans-destroy-Europa-League-bid.html?ITO=1490 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267749/Fulham-store-Ruud-awakening-Van-Nistelrooy-plans-destroy-Europa-League-bid.html?ITO=1490)
Fulham in store for Ruud awakening as Van Nistelrooy plans to destroy their Europa League bid
Ruud van Nistelrooy plans to dent Fulham's hopes for a second time this season after the former Manchester United striker revealed he rejected a January move to Craven Cottage.
Now at Hamburg, after joining from Real Madrid during the last transfer window, the Dutch forward wants to score against Roy Hodgson's side when the clash at the Hamburg Arena on Thursday in the Europa League semi-final.
Van Nistelrooy, 33, admits he is amazed by Fulham's success this season, saying he favoured a move to Germany, believing he had a better chance of winning trophies.
Having seen Fulham beat off defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg en route the last four, Van Nistelrooy claims Hodgson's side are a footballing revealtion - but he wants their joy to end there.
'It is incredible that they are in a European semi-final but they fully deserve their success.
'Fulham asked Real about me but did not come up with a concrete proposition
'The decision to join Hamburg was purely down to sporting aspects.
'I am still very ambitious and wanted to play for as many minutes as possible this season.
'Having said that, if we don't make the final it will be a total disaster. It is impossible to think we might fail.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267749/Fulham-store-Ruud-awakening-Van-Nistelrooy-plans-destroy-Europa-League-bid.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ljrOOgx8 (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1267749/Fulham-store-Ruud-awakening-Van-Nistelrooy-plans-destroy-Europa-League-bid.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0ljrOOgx8)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v198/150/103/557620570/n557620570_2634508_2341.jpg)
A bit of Nostalgia found on facebook, hardly worthy of a thread, Michael Jackson at the cottage April 1999
http://www.101greatgoals.com/can-fulham-take-advantage-of-hamburgs-internal-crisis-to-claim-another-major-europa-league-scalp/53360/
Can Fulham take advantage of Hamburg's internal crisis to claim another major Europa League scalp?
Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
Hamburg v Fulham, Europa League semi-final first leg, April 22, 2010
Hamburg 1.69; Draw 3.50; Fulham 5.25
Roma. Basel. Shakhtar Donetsk. Juventus. Wolfsburg. So, will Hamburg be next for European football's surprise package Fulham?
At the start of this season's Europa League, not even the biggest Fulham optimist would even joke that Roy Hodgson's ragtag bunch of misfits would be in the semi-final of the competition. And more amazing perhaps, no-one would have dared dream that the Cottagers would be worthy of reaching this far in the tournament. Yet, after dispatching of European football's toughest and most seasoned opponents Fulham are fully deserving of their moment in the spotlight and perhaps - just perhaps - they could cause one last upset and beat HSV. (Fulham are 5.75 to win the Europa League, Hamburg are 2.90.)
"In every round since the group stage we have looked at our opposition and thought: 'By rights we are not supposed to be here. We are not supposed to get through to the next round.' And that's worked in our favour. We've gone about our business and done our job. We've had the self-belief even though we've had a lot of doubters." - Mark Schwarzer.
Bobby Zamora, who has scored six goals in the competition this season, is Fulham's key weapon, and should the former Brighton forward net his 20th goal in all competitions it would seem even more difficult for Three Lions coach Fabio Capello to leave the in-form England hitman out of his World Cup squad.
There is more good news for Fulham though with the return of several stars at just the right time. John Pantsil has been out since December with a knee injury but after playing a reserve game last week the defender may have to settle for a place on the bench. Elsewhere, Clint Dempsey could seal a place in the starting eleven after missing last weekend's goalless draw with Wolves with a thigh injury, while Simon Davies returned to the team against Wolves and should get the nod to start the match on the right hand side.
Yet, rather than focus on single player participation, where Roy Hodgson has been truly successful has been developing a "team first, individuals second" mentality. Accordingly, the experienced pros such as Danny Murphy, Damien Duff and keeper Mark Schwarzer have been able to bond brilliantly with the likes of Brede Hangeland, Chris Baird, Dickson Etuhu and the exciting Zoltan Gera to form a well-oiled and effective unit.
Hamburg, who have the carrot of knowing that the Europa League final will be played at their home HSH Nordbank Arena on May 12th, will prove as tough as any opponent Fulham have faced so far in this season's tournament.
But Hamburg do have their own internal problems to contend with. At the halfway point of the season, Hamburg sat fourth in the league, four points off the lead and seemingly on course for a Champions League berth as well as habouring hopes for the Bundesliga. Since, however, their domestic form has dipped sharply and they now lie in lowly seventh, a cool 15 points off pace-setters Bayern.
That has left many to question whether coach Bruno Labbadia made the right decision to bring in Ruud van Nistelrooy in the winter transfer window, as opposed to signing a quality defender to shore up their leaky backline. And in truth the criticism against Labbadia, which again grew louder last weekend when lowly Mainz ran out 1-nil visitors at Hamburg, is wider than the signing of RVN with fallouts at the club a constant factor this season.
As reported by Raphael Honigstein, "cack-handed attempts to act as a tough disciplinarian have seen [Labbadia] lose respect in the dressing room; Brazilian midfielder Zé Roberto publicly exposed the manager's lack of authority when he came back a week late from his winter holidays. Since then, Labbadia has systematically alienated almost every player by making strange substitutions and bizarre tactical decisions. On Saturday, the crowd booed when captain David Jarolim, the last remaining supporter of Labbadia in the dressing room, was hauled off after 69 minutes for 20-year-old debutant Sören Bertram... The next day, Rost resigned from his post on the players council after a public rebuke from Labbadia. The 35-year-old had taken five team-mates to watch Clash of the Titans the night before the Mainz game. They were back in the team hotel before curfew but Labbadia wasn't happy."
With so much disruption at the club, many players are reported to want out this summer. And that may inspire Manchester City fans to tune into this match as German 21-year-old defender Jerome Boateng is mooted as being a likely target for the Citizens this summer.
Hmaburg arrive into this match with their fair share of injuries too, with Mladen Petric, Jose Paolo Guerrero, Marcell Jansen, Eljero Elia and Romeo Castelen all sidelined with injury.
Having witnessed Fulham reach this stage of the tournament and defy the boo-boys time after time, betting against the Cottagers upsetting the odds once again could be compared to being like the boy who cried wolf. Nevertheless, despite all their problems, Hamburg have quality sprinkled throughout their team, and a narrow German victory can be expected.
101gg predicts: Hamburg 1 - Fulham 0 (6.07)
Hamburg 1.69; Draw 3.50; Fulham 5.25
Quote from: os5889 on April 21, 2010, 04:37:10 PM
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v198/150/103/557620570/n557620570_2634508_2341.jpg)
A bit of Nostalgia found on facebook, hardly worthy of a thread, Michael Jackson at the cottage April 1999
On the verge of a Europa Semi Final and seen Michael Jackson at the Cottage. Fulham have certainly added to my experiences in life.