Friday Fulham Stuff (09/04/10)

[WhiteJC]

http://itn.co.uk/e006eaed031cf1a6a657f689189629ed.html
Hodgson delighted as Cottagers make history

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson says he is delighted to make history after leading Fulham to the first European semi-final in the club's history.

Bobby Zamora scored after just 21 seconds to give the Cottagers a 1-0 win over Wolfsburg and a 3-1 aggregate success.

Fulham will now face Hamburg for a place in the final and will be confident of progressing after an impressive display in Germany.

"I'm delighted with the performance, it's very strong to come here and win 1-0 in a game we had control over for long periods," Hodgson said.

"With a bit more energy we could have increased the score because we had so many chances towards the end, but 1-0 is always a good score."

Zamora, whose 19th goal of the season came after a clever turn to shrug off Jan Simunek on the edge of the box and a neat finish, said: "It was that quick and early that I had nothing to think about."

[WhiteJC]

http://fourfourtwo.com/news/restofeurope/51695/default.aspx
Fulham continue fairytale cup run

LONDON - Fulham, languishing in the lowest division of English league football only 13 years ago, marched into the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday to keep their Cinderella story on course for a fairy-tale ending.

With Liverpool joining the unheralded Londoners in the last four, along with Hamburg SV and Atletico Madrid, Fulham's lack of European pedigree was clear, but they produced an impressive performance to beat VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 and 3-1 on aggregate.

They had beaten Italian aristocrats Juventus 5-4 on aggregate last month to reach the quarter-finals in what will go down as one of the greatest nights in the club's history.

Fulham have reached their first European semi-final and will next face another German team, Hamburg, after adding Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg to their list of conquests.

"We have played some good teams along the way, we've played consistently well throughout to be honest," captain Danny Murphy told ITV television.

"I'd probably say the Juventus game was something that will live in the memory, to come back against them, but that (against Wolfsburg) was certainly a very good performance, a very mature performance I would say in the bigger scheme of things.

"We haven't got great experience in Europe but we looked as though we did tonight. We could have won by more in the end."

Fulham, who will not be daunted by taking on former European champions Hamburg in the last four, have never won a domestic honour and lost their only FA Cup final in 1975.

HODGSON DELIGHTED

After losing their place in the old first division in 1968, they spent 23 years in the lower divisions before returning to the top flight in 2001.

In January 1996, they visited Torquay United to play the team at the bottom of the entire Football League. Fulham were second-last, their lowest position ever, and they lost.

A year later, with a new owner in Mohammed Al Fayed, they won promotion and the rags to respectability, if not riches, story was well under way.

"It ranks pretty much up there with some other very good evenings in my life. I must say I'm delighted with the performance," declared manager Roy Hodgson.

"I think with a little bit more energy, because we spend a lot of energy, we could have actually aggravated the score because we had so many chances towards the end of the game.

"But 1-0 is always a good score, especially away from home," added the former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager with a typically modest smile.

"It's nice to make history and I'm just so delighted for the players because they were so determined to give a good account of themselves.

"They were gutted by the goal we conceded in the last minute at Craven Cottage after a performance that should have seen us keep a clean sheet and it's fantastic that they've come here and kept a clean sheet today."

Fernando Torres will face his former club Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals after scoring twice to help Liverpool beat Benfica 4-1 at Anfield on Thursday.

Hamburg SV's Mladen Petric scored one of the best goals of the season, volleying home from 15 metres with his back to goal, to help them win 3-1 at Standard Liege and set up a semi-final against Fulham.

Petric also headed the first while Peru forward Paolo Guerrero, banned for the rest of the Bundesliga season for throwing a plastic bottle at a fan on Sunday, added the third - his first goal since a cruciate ligament injury in September.

Atletico Madrid grabbed their place in the last four on away goals after a stormy 0-0 draw at home to fellow Spaniards Valencia, who surrounded the referee to protest at the end after having a late penalty appeal turned down. The first leg was 2-2.

[WhiteJC]

http://europaleaguenews.com/2010/04/08/vfl-wolfsburg-pushed-out-of-europa-league-by-fulham/
VfL Wolfsburg pushed out of Europa League by Fulham
Posted By j. davies on April 8, 2010

Defending Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg problematic campaign continued as they were pushed out of Europa League by Fulham after losing the second leg of the quarterfinal tie 1-0 at Volkswagen Arena and the aggregate 2-0.

Coming off the opening leg one-goal loss at Craven Cottage, Lorenz-Günther Köstner's side fell behind 1-0 not quite thirty seconds after the opening whistle as Bobby Zamora stuck the knife through the heart of their hosts. Accepting Zoltán Gera's provision a few metres inside the box, the attacker who many think is deserving of a spot with England's World Cup roster, turned and fired a left footed effort to the back of the net. Die Wölfe had little bite after the early goal and suffered from abysmal finishing. Six minutes later Zoltán Gera forced Wolfsburg 'keeper Diego Benaglio to stretch out to paw away his header from a right wing cross. In a comedy of errors, Wolfsburg missed a glorious chance to level just before the break when Grafite and Edin Džeko collided as they attempted to head a cross from the left. The hosts were having little success and of the opportunities that did come their way Fulham 'keeper Mark Schwarzer was resolute, as he did with fifteen minutes remaining when he stopped Edin Džeko's effort that came off Christian Gentner's corner from the right. Typifying Wolfsburg night, with seven minutes remaining Bosnia and Herzegovina international Edin Džeko sent a drive off the left post only to see Grafite's rapid-fire effort cleared off the line by Brede Hangeland. Without further incident, the match concluded 1-0 in Fulham's favour.

Prepared by J. Davies

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/RoyWolfsburgVictory.aspx
The Professionals




Roy Hodgson spoke proudly of his Team's performance on Thursday night following Fulham's historic victory over Wolfsburg in Germany.

"I thought we were very disciplined and solid," said Hodgson during his post-match press conference. "I thought the shape of the Team remained good throughout the game. I thought that our passing for long periods was also very good and we moved the ball well.

"We created a lot of chances in both halves and towards the end we had some good chances to put the game to bed, which we weren't able to take. Again, I thought the back four and the goalkeeper were very steady and we had the advantage of the early goal, which took some of the pressure off.

"By scoring the early goal they had to score two at least. I thought it was a very professional and solid performance by the Team and I'm very proud of their performance and very happy for them.

"It was nice to get the early goal and it was a very good move. It was excellent combination play through midfield and Bobby was very cool and collected in taking the chance."

Fulham will now play Hamburg in the Semi-Finals and Hodgson knows what a stern test his Team face when they battle for a place in the Final of the Europa League in just a few weeks time.

"All my thoughts have been focused on this game in the Quarter Final to try and get through to the Semi-Final. We've now got a couple of weeks to do our scouting and we know that Hamburg will be a very good team.

"We know how strong the Bundesliga is and we saw that last night with Bayern Munich. The standard is very high and the players are very good and we will be facing, yet again, a very arduous task if we're to reach the Final.

"The great thing is we're in the Semi Final and we have that chance."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/RoyWolfsburgVictory.aspx#ixzz0kaAH0Il8

[WhiteJC]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0409/1224267979175.html
Zamora takes no time to settle it
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS Wolfsburg 0 Fulham 1 (Fulham win 3-1 on aggregate) : FULHAM HAVE knocked out the German champions to continue their continental odyssey into the semi-finals.

Roy Hodgson's remarkable team will play a 55th match of the season on Sunday against Liverpool, who might just be meeting them in the May final of this competition.

The German pop presaging the teams' entrance had barely been dialled down when Fulham had one of the best possible starts.

Twenty-two seconds was all Hodgson's team required for Bobby Zamora to score an eighth goal of this campaign.

Damien Duff rose for a header in midfield and, though he made no contact, it was enough for the ball to fall to Zoltan Gera. His reverse pass found Zamora spinning away from the inside-right channel, before the left-foot finish was stroked easily beyond Diego Benaglio for surely one of European club football's quickest goals.

Fulham had matched Wolfsburg's away strike at Craven Cottage, and gone ahead 3-1 in the tie, yet, but for Mark Schwarzer, Lorenz Kostner's side might have drawn level before half-time.

Christian Gentner's long-range shot, after an errant Danny Murphy pass had lost possession, was palmed to safety by the goalkeeper. A corner ensued from which Grafite, Wolfsburg's Brazilian striker, was worryingly allowed a free header, though this was steered over.

Schwarzer then made a superb save from Andrea Barzagli's bullet of a volley but parried the ball to Grafite, who this time finished from close range. Fulham, though, were saved by the assistant referee's flag as the 31-year-old had picked himself up from an offside position to score.

Following Wolfsburg's flurry after Zamora's goal their further attempts on the Fulham goal were sporadic. Fulham closed the opening half in control, conscious their hosts now required three unanswered goals to win the tie before extra time.

Late on Zamora had a headed goal ruled out for offside.

Guardian Service

WOLFSBURG : Benaglio, Pekarik (Dejagah 35), Simunek (Rever 76), Barzagli, Schafer, Riether, Josue, Gentner (Martins 61), Misimovic, Grafite, Dzeko. Subs not used : Lenz, Hasebe, Johnson, Schindzielorz. Booked : Dzeko, Dejagah, Josue.

FULHAM : Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Murphy, Etuhu, Duff, Gera (Nevland 82), Davies (Riise 86), Zamora. Subs not used : Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Smalling, Greening, Dikgacoi. Booked : Baird, Konchesky.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary).

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/EuropaLeague/WolfsburgAway.aspx
Wolfsburg 0 Fulham 1




Fulham made a dream start to the game at the VfL Wolfsburg Stadium on Thursday night thanks to a world-class turn and finish from Bobby Zamora after just 23 seconds of play.

From the first whistle Hodgson's side headed straight up-field and when Zoltan Gera threaded the ball through to Zamora, with his back to goal, the striker turned his marker with a quite exquisite Cruyff turn before stroking the ball past Beneglio from 10 yards.

It was a stunning opening that sent Fulham's travelling army of supporters into delirious celebrations, none more so than former Fulham defender Rufus Brevett, sitting in the press box. Hodgson's side had not only extended their aggregate lead to 3-1, but also crucially cancelled out Wolfsburg's first leg away goal.

Fulham's front pair tormented Wolfburg's defence early on and Gera almost doubled Fulham's lead after six minutes with the deftest of headers from 8 yards. Wolfsburg keeper Benaglio was stretched to the limit to tip the ball past the far post.

Wolfsburg's potent attacking force almost grabbed a goal back just before the ten minute mark when Riether's cross from the right flank was fired goalwards. Schwarzer was forced into a low save to push the ball around the post and Fulham's support drew a sigh of relief.

A minute later Wolfsburg thought they were back in the game when Grafite stabbed the ball past Schwarzer from close range. The home crowd's wild celebrations were premature as the linesman's flag was raised for a clear offside by the striker.

Zamora's early strike had the affect of turning Thursday's match into a fine spectacle. The home side, desperate to reduce the deficit, attacked at will, but Fulham's measured counter attacks produced the greatest danger early on.

It was end-to-end football and after 15 minutes of play Hodgson's side almost doubled their advantage once again when Murphy's stinging shot from distance forced Benaglio into a fine save.

Wolfsburg's main threat came from crosses out wide or set plays, but Fulham kept the home side at bay from Schwarzer's area. Chris Baird handled Dzeko superbly down the flank and Etuhu's simple yet effective distribution in front of Fulham's back four played a crucial role.

Thursday's officials were having no nonsense on the pitch, highlighted by Dzeko's booking after 34 minutes for dissent. Barely thirty seconds later Wolfsburg coach Lorenz-Gunther Kostner made his first change of the game, introducing Dejagah for Pekarik.

Fulham's snappy, one-touch passing in the final third was outstanding during the first half. At times the guile of Duff and Gera completely outfoxed Wolfsburg's defence on several occasions during the first 45.

The game ebbed and flowed before half time and Fulham's 3-1 lead remained intact largely thanks to Aaron Hughes' near post intervention from Dejagah's cross right before half-time.

After Zamora's early wonder strike Roy Hodgson's side were just 45 minutes from the final four of the Europa League.

Wolfsburg got the second half underway with Fulham attacking towards their travelling support. Five minutes into the second half Simon Davies was left writhing in agony following an aerial challenge with Josue.

The Wolfsburg captain appeared to catch the Welsh midfielder in the rib area with an elbow. Davies gingerly returned to the fray a few minutes later but was clearly in pain for some time during the second half.

After 53 minutes Wolfsburg's danger man Dzeko was released into space on the counter attack down Fulham's left flank. The Whites were on the back foot and the striker appeared to have the edge but Hughes produced a turn of pace to not only catch the striker, but also marshal him over the by-line.

As the hour mark approached Fulham looked more than worthy of their one-nil lead (3-1 aggregate). Wolfsburg had no option but to attack, however their efforts proved fruitless and Fulham looked more than likely to catch the home side on the counter attack.

That moment came after 58 minutes when Murphy sent a perfectly weighted lob over the Wolfsburg back four for Zamora. The striker sprinted clear but Benaglio, racing out of his goal, managed to palm Zamora's goal bound effort to safety.

Wolfsburg made their second attacking change of the game on the hour mark, introducing former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins for Gentner.

The cards came out moments later with the Referee booking Dejagah and Konchesky in the space of a minute. The pace of the game subsided after the hour mark as Fulham protected their two-goal advantage with ease.

Danny Murphy looked to put a seal on the game with 20 minutes remaining. After turning two defenders on the edge of the area the midfielder curled a right-footed effort towards the top corner. Benaglio was beaten but Murphy's effort flew wide.

With 15 minutes remaining both sides were denied by some world-class goalkeeping. First Mark Schwarzer produced a stunning fingertip save to deny Dzeko's volley from 10 yards before Benaglio denied Davies just seconds later at the other end.

Nine minutes from time Grafite denied Danny Murphy from ten yards with a goal-line clearance. It was agonising for Fulham's supporters behind the goal. Roy Hodgson then introduced Nevland to the action, in place of the outstanding Gera.

Fulham may have felt hard done by with Murphy's effort but their luck came home just a minute later in a quite remarkable sequence of events.

Dzeko, breaking into the area down the left flank, fired past Schwarzer against the foot of the post. The ball then rebounded to Martins, just five yards from goal, who poked the ball towards an empty net. Incredibly Hangeland, running in the opposition direction, back-heeled the ball away to safety. Hodgson then introduced Riise for Davies for the final minutes of the match.

Fulham played out the remaining minutes in relative comfort despite Wolfsburg's best efforts with Fulham's travelling supporters roaring proudly to victory in the Wolves' den.

Fulham's remarkable European dream lives on with Roy Hodgson's Team proudly heading for a Semi-Final showdown in the Europa League after a convincing 1-0 (3-1 aggregate) victory over Wolfsburg on Thursday night in Germany. It was quite simply, another truly historic night in the Club's history.



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/EuropaLeague/WolfsburgAway.aspx#ixzz0kaB6Hs84

[WhiteJC]

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/168151/Fulham-s-Bobby-Zamora-has-finals-in-sights/
http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/168151/Fulham-s-Bobby-Zamora-has-finals-in-sights/

Wolfsburg 0 Fulham 1 (Fulham win 3-1 on aggregate)

You would have got long odds at the start of the season on Fulham reaching the final of the Europa League and Bobby Zamora making England's World Cup squad. But both moved another step closer to reality last night.

Zamora's first-minute goal, the 16th of a personal campaign that continues to defy even the most firmly entrenched critics from last season, was enough for his club to add Wolfsburg to a growing list of slain giants.

And only a fool, or perhaps a Liverpool supporter given they too landed in the other semi-final, would bet big money on Zamora and his team-mates not returning here to Germany for the final in May.

The question of Zamora's attendance in South Africa is a little bit more of a long shot despite his manager Roy Hodgson once again wondering aloud what more he has to do to gain proper international recognition. But that is Fabio Capello's problem, even if he made it quite clear where he stands.

Last night's quarter-final second leg in the Volkswagen Arena was Fulham's 54th game of a season that stretches back to their early qualifying effort in this competition in July last year.

It is a run, allied to the demands of ensuring Premier League survival and passage to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, that has threatened, in theory at least, to stretch their resources beyond breaking point. For all that, though the extra payload has tested both fitness and resolve, winning has been its own tonic and Fulham have coped admirably with the extra demands.

Indeed, on the evidence of the eyes here as well as against Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk in the previous rounds, far from tiring they are simply getting better.

Zamora had been a slight doubt after knocking his Achilles in training - he was rested against Wigan at the weekend - but Hodgson never really looked like a man worried that his leading striker would not make it.

Never in Hodgson's wildest dreams could he have envisaged any element of risk in putting him in being rewarded so spectacularly early. Zamora will almost certainly never stop the clock quicker, either. With the referee still pausing for breath after sounding the opening whistle, Zoltan Gera slid the ball to Zamora on the edge of the box.

The first touch took Jan Simunek out of the piece and, spinning away to his right, Zamora's second touch buried a left-foot shot inside Diego Benaglio's far post with just 21 seconds gone. The goal was his eighth in this competition and a massive blow for any tactical plans the German champions might have had. And while they recovered in the immediate aftermath to test Mark Schwarzer and for Grafite to have the ball in the net only to be correctly ruled offside just minutes later, as the half wore on, Fulham dominated.

The Germans' set-up, with five men in attacking roles, left gaps in midfield which Hodgson's men exploited, retaining possession and probing.

Wolfsburg were alarmed to switch things after half an hour, bringing busy Ashkan Dejagah on for Peter Pekarik. And while he caused a few problems, nearly panicking Aaron Hughes into turning the ball into his own net just short of half-time, Fulham held firm.

Wolfsburg came at them with a little more venom in the second half, but Fulham had the more clear-cut chances. Zamora was denied a second with a fine one-handed stop from Benaglio and Simon Davies had an even better chance, clean through only to hit his shot straight at the advancing keeper.

Edin Dzeko forced a fine save from Mark Schwarzer with a volley after 75 minutes and - after Danny Murphy saw Andrea Barzagli clear his shot off the line - was also denied by the post.

The rebound fell to Grafite who confirmed it was not to be their night by hammering his shot into the only bit of the goal that had a Fulham leg. Brede Hangeland gratefully hooked clear.

Hodgson, who had saluted the cool finish from Zamora, suggested that with calmer heads, Fulham could have eased home with a degree more comfort. As it was, 3-1 on aggregate was sufficient. Fulham will face Hamburg in their semi-final – away on April 22 and at Craven Cottage on April 29 – but Hodgson refused to look much beyond the flight home and a visit to Liverpool on Sunday.

He said: "All my thoughts were on this quarter-final to be honest but we know that the quality and standard of the Bundesliga is very high. We will face an arduous task but we will have a very good chance."

Wolfsburg (4-1-3-2): Benaglio; Pekarik (Dejagah 35), Simunek (Rever 76), Barzagli, Schafer; Josue; Riether, Misimovic, Gentner (Martins 62); Grafite, Dzeko. Booked: Dzeko, Dejagah.

Fulham (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies (Riise 86); Gera (Nevland 82), Zamora. Booked: Baird, Konchesky. Goal: Zamora 1.

Referee: V Kassai (Hungary).

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/geraWolfsburgWin.aspx
Hungry For More




Zoltan Gera summed up the feeling of immense pride amongst the squad after the Team etched a new chapter in Fulham's history books by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League with a 3-1 aggregate win over German champions VfL Wolfsburg.

"It's a great achievement for us and the Club," he enthused. "I think tonight we played perfectly - we did everything right, from the 'keeper to Bobby, and fully deserved the result after a very professional performance from the Team."

Zolly helped set the Whites on the way in glorious fashion when he unlocked the home defence after just 22 seconds, playing the through ball to Bobby Zamora to score a well needed goal and get the night off to the perfect start.

"We talked about scoring early, especially after watching the game last night between Manchester United and Bayern Munich," he explained. "That was a good example of how to start a game – although not such a great finish by them. We knew it was important to come here and score a goal, and in the end it proved to be enough."

But having taken the lead so early, there was still 90 minutes to play against a very good home side who would certainly fight back with a vengeance. However, immense displays by Fulham players all over the pitch ensured that the hosts were not only frustrated by their inability to breach the Whites defence, but also kept on the back foot by determined advances from the visiting forward line.

"We knew before the game that we had to put in a big performance, in defence, and going forward," said the Hungarian. "Wolfsburg have good strikers who can score lots of goals and I think it was a very big achievement to keep a clean sheet away from home against them. It was a very professional performance by us and I'm very proud to be in this team."

And having reached the semi-final, where they will face Hamburg in a fortnight's time, Zolly says he and his team-mates are more determined than ever to reach the final of the competition, which will also be held in the German city.

"It's very, very good to be in the last four," he said. "We've beaten the last winners Shakhtar Donetsk, we've beaten Juventus and now Wolfsburg the German champions, so already we've achieved a lot in this tournament.

"But we're still hungry, and we want to play two times in Hamburg's stadium, then who knows what we might achieve."

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/geraWolfsburgWin.aspx#ixzz0kaBxIYuQ

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-extremely-proud-be-paying-europa-league-semi-final-756911
Fulham extremely proud to be paying in Europa League semi-final

Roy Hodgson says the Fulham Football Club are very proud to have reached the final four of the Europa League.

The Cottagers got past reigning German Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 on aggregate after a 1-0 away win on Thursday night and Hodgson was extremely proud of the club had achieved, especially seeing as none of the big English clubs had succeeded in the Champions League.

"We're very proud to be in a semi-final as Fulham and, most importantly of all, we are proud for Fulham, our owner and our supporters," said Hodgson.

"It's an extra bonus that, with our best teams this year not being able to reach a semi-final of the Champions League, it's a very nice feeling for ourselves and Liverpool to be in semi-finals.

"We'll face a very arduous task if we want to get to the final but the main thing is we're in the semi-final and we have that chance."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-continues-superlatives-zamora-756881
Fulham boss Hodgson continues with superlatives for Zamora

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has once again praised the performance of striker Bobby Zamora who guided the Cottagers into the Europa League semi-finals by scoring against Wolfsburg in the second leg of the quarters.

Zamora has hit career-best form this year and Hodgson believes he is in line for a spot in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad but says the striker cannot do anymore to persuade the national team boss.

"I read that the price for (Wolfsburg's) Edin Dzeko was 40million euros, so we might have to up our price for Bobby Zamora. But we don't want to sell him," Hodgson said.

"Bobby Zamora is a very good player. This year, by adding goals to his excellent build-up play, he's come to everyone's attention and he can do no more than continue to play well.

"Then, I'm sure when Fabio Capello is looking at the players available to take to the World Cup, he will make his assessment. I know Fabio is aware of Bobby as a player, but Bobby can't do any more himself."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvHamburg.aspx

Fulham v Hamburg
UEFA Europa League
Thursday 29th April
Kick-Off TBC

On-sale dates
Season Ticket Holders Now on sale - Seats held until midday 13 April (6 tickets)
Fulham Club Members 9am - Wednesday 14 April (6 tickets)
General Sale  9am - Monday 19 April (6 tickets)
Buy tickets now|

How to Buy Tickets
buy tickets online  - 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day. Save on booking fees by booking online*
by phone on 0870 442 1234 (option 1) - 7 days a week, 24 hrs a day
in person from the Ticket Office: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; non-match day Sat 10am-12pm
by fax 020 7384 4810 (download printable form)
by postal application to FFC Ticket Office, Stevenage Road, Fulham, SW6 6HH enclosing a stamped addressed envelope (download printable form)
Seatwave - the official fan-to-fan ticket exchange
Thomas Cook - match breaks for all Fulham FC home games
.

Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Tickets/Games/FulhamvHamburg.aspx#ixzz0kaCnk1uA

[WhiteJC]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2010/04/09/1870266/fulman-boss-roy-hodgson-if-edin-dzeko-is-worth-40m-then-we
Fulman boss Roy Hodgson: If Edin Dzeko is worth £40m then we should raise price on Bobby Zamora
English striker fighting for World Cup spot

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has hailed in-form striker Bobby Zamora after the Englishman scored just 22 seconds into the Cottagers' victory over VfL Wolfsburg in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Zamora's strike gave the Premier League side a 3-1 aggregate lead and Fulham's defence held strong against the reigning Bundesliga champions.

With one of football's hottest commodities, Edin Dzeko, attracting big-money interest from clubs like Chelsea, Hodgson has declared that Zamora is worth just as much as the Bosnian international.

"I read Dzeko is worth £40 million, in that case maybe we should put up the price for Bobby should we ever want to sell him," Hodgson told The Sun.

Zamora's goal was his 19th this season, and his manager insists that the striker has done more than enough to earn a plane ticket to South Africa for the World Cup.

"He can do no more. Everybody has realised as we did last year that in Bobby we have a very good player," Hodgson said.

"By adding goals to his build-up play he is coming to everyone's attention.

"I know Fabio Capello is aware of Bobby but he has other players."

Zamora is hoping that his recent performances have earned him a spot with England, but he insists that he still has some business to take care of with Fulham first.

"I haven't even thought about it," he said.

"There are eight games to go between now and the end of the season and there is still a long way to go in the Europa League.

"England, the World Cup and all that are a world away as far as I'm concerned."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.tribalfootball.com/fulham-boss-hodgson-zamora-did-it-all-injured-757781
Fulham boss Hodgson: Zamora did it all injured
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson admits Bobby Zamora played carrying an Achilles injury for their Europa League win over Wolfsburg.

Zamora picked up Zoltan Gera's pass and performed a delicate turn on the edge of the box before scoring with a coolly-taken finish for the only goal of the game.

His performance was even more impressive given that he was a doubt before kick off with an Achilles injury.

"The medical staff were always confident Bobby's Achilles wouldn't be a problem and, as you saw, it wasn't," said Hodgson, who's side will face Hamburg in the last four.

"He was excellent throughout.

"It was excellent combination play throughout the midfield for the goal and he was very cool and calm in taking the chance."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.soccertimes.com/americans/2010/apr08
Dempsey absent with thigh injury, Fulham makes Europa Cup semifinals.
By Robert Wagman (in Washington, D.C.)
SoccerTimes
(Thursday, April 8, 2010) -- United States midfielder Clint Dempsey was sidelined with a thigh injury for Fulham's 1-0 victory over host VfL Wolfsburg of Germany today in a Europa League quarterfinal second-leg match at Volkswagen Arena.

Fulham of England's Premier League advanced to the semifinals with a 3-1 aggregate triumph and will play next Hamburg SV.

Dempsey, 27, has played a big part in Fulham's success in this second-tier European tournament, most notably for the decisive tally in a 4-1 victory over Juventus of Italy in the Round of 16. He also has six goals and three assists in Premier League play.

Dempsey, who has moved from the midfield to the front line, was hurt in the final minute of Sunday's 2-1 come-from behind home win over Wigan Athletic.

"Clint Dempsey has not traveled with us," Cottagers manager Roy Hodgson said. "In the very last minute of the game against Wigan, he was, in our opinion, fouled in the penalty area. Not only did we not get a penalty, we also lost a player because he was injured in the challenge.

"Unfortunately he's going to be out for a period of time, certainly (Thursday) and on Sunday against Liverpool and possibly longer. The scan has shown there is a muscular injury and it's going to keep him out for a period of time."

[WhiteJC]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/7568548/Liverpool-v-Fulham-match-preview.html
Liverpool v Fulham: match preview
Read a full match preview of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield on Sunday Apr 11 2010, kick-off 15.00 BST.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua; Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi; Torres, Kuyt.
Fulham (4-4-1-1): Schwarzer; Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey; Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Dempsey; Gera; Zamora.
Referee: Andre Marriner. Matches: 23. R: 9. Y: 84.

Tale of the Game

After last night's Europa League ties, these teams return to Premier League action with Liverpool desperate for a win that would keep them in contention for fourth place. Liverpool are still without Martin Skrtel and test Fabio Aurelio.

Fulham, without Andrew Johnson and John Pantsil, will consider the fallout from the game in Germany before deciding on their side.

Liverpool will be keen to avenge the 3-1 defeat at Craven Cottage in October when they also finished with nine men when they had both Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher. But Fulham arrive having failed to score in their last six away games in the Premier League.

This season: Fulham 3 Liverpool 1.

Last season: Liverpool 0 Fulham 0, Fulham 0 Liverpool 1.

Stat of the Game: Portsmouth have never won in the League at Anfield, in 22 attempts, scoring just 15 goals and conceding 55.

Betting Tip: Euro fatigue may set in. Gamble at 0-0 with odds of 11-1.

[WhiteJC]

http://www.football.co.uk/liverpool/preview__liverpool_v_fulham_308002.shtml
PREVIEW: LIVERPOOL V FULHAM
The two teams who have recently been defending the Premier League's reputation in the Europa League come together on Sunday, in a match that looks far more important to Liverpool than it does to Fulham.

Rafa Benitez's team could only draw against bogey side Birmingham last weekend and if they are to overhaul Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for fourth, then five wins from their last five games looks like being a likely requirement.

The good news is that Fulham's recent record at Anfield is poor, with the Whites failing to score in six of their eight Premier League trips there, including the last three.

Furthermore, the west London side have never won away at Liverpool in 28 attempts so any sort of result for Roy Hodgson's men would be a massive upset, especially given that Liverpool have won their last eight league games on their home turf, a run they have bettered only once before in Premier League history.

And as good as Liverpool are at home, Fulham are as poor on the road, with only nine wins from their last 92 trips.

Their last three-point away haul came on the opening day of the season at Portsmouth, and the last six away games have all seen the London side fail to score.

Both teams should have fairly healthy squads to choose from, with Liverpool expecting to have left-back Fabio Aurelio back in contention after a thigh injury, while Fulham hope to have John Paintsil back available after recovering from a knee problem.

Liverpool have been quick out of the traps in recent league matches at Anfield, scoring at least two goals in their last three games before half-time, but if Fulham can hold the Reds early on then the pressure may become too much for Rafa Benitez's fragile side.

Captain Steven Gerrard has attempted to rouse his troops, saying: "We will keep fighting all the way to the end.

"It's all right saying we will be fine if we go and win our last five games, but we have to go on the pitch and win them rather than talk about it."

[WhiteJC]

BBC Sport - Football - Wolfsburg 0-1 Fulham (agg 1-3)
Wolfsburg   0 - 1   Fulham (agg 1 - 3)


Fulham produced a superb second-leg display to beat German champions Wolfsburg and seal their place in the Europa League semi-finals.

The Cottagers took 21 seconds to make amends for Wolfsburg's late goal in the first leg as Bobby Zamora neatly turned Jan Simunek and slotted his side ahead.

Grafite saw a shot blocked on the line as the home side pressed late on but Fulham held out for a deserved win.

They now face Hamburg in what is their first ever European semi-final.

The success continues a sensational second European campaign for Fulham, who had eliminated defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk and favourites Juventus in the previous two rounds.

It is a fitting reward for an extremely determined and intelligent performance from the London side, who struck with their first attack and then frustrated their talented opponents.

Wolfsburg came into the game full of confidence following Alexander Madlung's late header in the first leg, which had given them a priceless away goal and a strong foothold in the tie.

Fulham were punished for a poor final 10 minutes at Craven Cottage last Thursday but it took them all of 21 seconds in the Volkswagen Arena to rectify the previous week's last-ditch lapse in concentration as Zamora gave them the lead straight from the kick-off.

The in-form striker, who passed a fitness test before the game on an Achilles injury, collected a pass inside the area from fellow forward Zoltan Gera and stylishly set up a cool, side-foot finish past home keeper Diego Benaglio for his sixth Europa League goal of the season and 19th in total.

Fulham would have expected an attacking assault from Wolfsburg before kick-off - doubly so after the goal - and for 10 minutes after Zamora's opener the home side piled on the pressure.

Mark Schwarzer in the visitors' goal was forced to palm a Christian Gentner shot from 16 yards past the post and only a linesman's flag prevented Grafite levelling with a follow-up effort from an initial shot from Andrea Barzagli.

However, for a side renowned for the potency of their attack and one in desperate need of goals, Wolfsburg offered relatively little to threaten Fulham's control.

Highly-rated Wolfsburg strike-duo Edin Dzeko and Grafite have hit the net 41 times between them this season but in two games Fulham have held them at bay.

It is a huge compliment to the visitors that the Germans were forced to further bolster their strike-force by introducing Ashkan Dejagah in the first half and Obefami Martins in the second.

The closest either of Wolfsburg's main strike duo came to scoring was very late on but Schwarzer was equal to Dzeko's volley from a corner and then Hangeland was well-placed to clear off the line when Grafite followed up a shot from his partner that had hit the post.

By this point Fulham could have been out of sight had Zamora's heavy first touch not allowed Benaglio to save at the striker's feet after he was free on goal or if Murphy's shot from a Paul Konchesky cross had been placed better so as to prevent a last-ditch goal-line clearance from Barzagli.

Perhaps the best chance of all for Fulham fell to Simon Davies, who was through on goal but saw his shot from 10 yards superbly deflected over the bar by the foot Benaglio.

But the professionalism of the Cottagers' display ensured that one goal was all that was needed.

Roy Hodgson's men now face a trip to Hamburg, who overcame Standard Liege 5-2 on aggregate, on 22 April with the second leg at Craven Cottage on 29 April.

[WhiteJC]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8609200.stm
Liverpool v Fulham

Liverpool have got to go for it in every game between now and the end of the season if they are to achieve that fourth spot and qualify for next season's Champions League - and with home advantage and with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard once again looking like the players we all know they, I fancy the Reds to win this.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has to be in line for the Manager of the Year award for what he has done with the Cottagers this season, they've had a fantastic season yet again and you really cannot speak highly enough of him. Their Europa League form alone has been tremendous and the fact that they are already well safe of relegation is a superb achievement.

But there might be a slight chance of Fulham's form drifting away in the league the longer the season goes on because in many ways they've already exceeded expectations.

Liverpool have a chance - however slight - of finishing fourth and they will be going all out to achieve that, so that might just be a factor.

Prediction: 2-0