Friday Fulham Stuff (23.04.10)

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/apr/22/hamburg-fulham-europa-league

Fulham draw blank in Hamburg but retain final hopes



UEFA Europa League Semi Final 1st Leg
Hamburg 0    
Fulham 0    

    * Jamie Jackson at HSH Nordbank Arena
    * guardian.co.uk, Thursday 22 April 2010 21.57 BST
   

Ruud van Nistelrooy jumps with Aaron Hughes during Fulham's Europa League semi-final first le g meeting with Hamburg. Photograph: Jörn Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images

Fulham's caper around the continent could yet be heading to the Europa League final here next month, after Hamburg were held to a draw that fizzed with tension.

The teams had kicked off in a crackling atmosphere, at last giving this long and winding cup the feeling of a major European competition.

Chris Baird was the first to blink, allowing Ruud van Nistelrooy to bear down on Mark Schwarzer before Aaron Hughes hustled the old gunslinger enough to allow his keeper to collect. Just as a fortnight ago in Wolfsburg this game had started like a train, except it was the home side who were hurtling towards Fulham at a menacing velocity.

The Cottagers faithful numbered around 2,000 yet it was the followers of the 1983 European Cup winners who were informing their visitors precisely whose patch they were on, refusing to quieten throughout the opening half.

So often Fulham's ace card this season Bobby Zamora began clumsily and was, up until his substitution, largely disappointing. Having watched on as Piotr Trochowski cut in from the right to unload a shot that skimmed beyond Schwarzer's left post on 19 minutes, Zamora then chested Simon Davies's flighted pass on to an opponent rather than into open space.

The 29-year-old did produce one position-perfect lay-off that found Zoltan Gera, but the Hungarian's deflected beyond the stranded Frank Rost and drifted widenet. That chance was about as good as it got for Fulham ahead of the break, and they would walk off to hear Roy Hodgson's half-time team-talk under no illusion that they would require anything but their best to get through this tie.

Before the break they had also witnessed Jérôme Boateng, the Manchester City-bound defender and brother of the Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince, playing the stand-out pass in cutting out Fulham's defence ball and picking out Jonathan Pitroipa, but the Burkino Faso midfielder could not find a finish of equable quality.

Zamora then appeared to pick up an injury, and while he emerged for the second half the gamble failed, as he was replaced by Clint Dempsey after 51 minutes.

Hodgson would have been pleased with the control exerted by his team from the restart, although Hamburg continued to threaten on the counter-attack. But Fulham were now the better team and twice Gera nearly forced a goal. One break down left amounted to nothing when the forward failed to pick out Dempsey, and then Gera stumbled when through on Rost's goal and the danger fizzled out.

Hamburg had not, and Schwarzer's excellence was required. Pitroipa had a shot beaten away, before Trochowski's 25-yard zinger was tipped over by the Australian, and David Jarolim was frustrated moments later. At the close Fulham were hanging on, but the result could prove crucial.

[White Noise]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/3108813


Hamburg v Fulham Match facts


UEFA Europa League Semi Final 1st Leg

Thursday 22 April 2010 20.05
      Score line    
Final score    Hamburg    0 – 0 (HT 0 – 0)    Fulham
Bookings    

   1. Mathijsen 31
   2. Trochowski 90

      

   1. Baird 55
   2. Gera 68

   Hamburg's Percentage    Fulham's Percentage
Corners    9 90%    1 10%
On target    5 100%    0 0%
Fouls    14 63%    8 37%
Offside    3 75%    1 25%
Hamburg    

    * Frank Rost,
    * Joris Mathijsen,
    * Dennis Aogo,
    * Jerome Boateng,
    * Guy Demel (Tomas Rincon, 82),
    * Jose Ze Roberto,
    * David Jarolim,
    * Piotr Trochowski,
    * Jonathan Pitroipa,
    * Jose Paolo Guerrero (Mladen Petric, 72),
    * Ruud van Nistelrooy

Fulham    

    * Mark Schwarzer,
    * Paul Konchesky,
    * Brede Hangeland,
    * Chris Baird,
    * Aaron Hughes,
    * Zoltan Gera,
    * Danny Murphy,
    * Damien Duff,
    * Dickson Etuhu,
    * Simon Davies,
    * Bobby Zamora (Clint Dempsey, 52)

Referee    Larsen, C
Venue    HSH Nordbank Arena

[White Noise]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7619867/Hamburg-0-Fulham-0-match-report.html

Hamburg 0 Fulham 0: match report


Read a full match report of the Europa League semi-final first leg between Hamburg and Fulham at the HSH Nordbank Arena, Hamburg on Thursday Apr 22 2010.


By John Ley in Hamburg

Published: 10:00PM BST 22 Apr 2010


Fulham's passage to Hamburg may have been difficult but, after another impressive Continental display, the return to this German city could prove to be considerably easier.

After a 17-hour cross-European road trip to the first leg of this Europa League semi-final, Fulham return to London as the favourites to reach the final, to be played here next month.

The signs in the HSH Nordbank Arena suggest that Roy Hodgson's well organised team could be back, with Hamburg offering little to hint at an away win at Craven Cottage.

Fulham have now gone 416 minutes since they last conceded a goal and the few times goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was called upon, he dealt with them with ease.

After their marathon journey, Fulham fielded the side that won in the quarter-finals in Germany, beating Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg 1-0 with a goal after 21 seconds from Bobby Zamora, his sixth in Europe this season.

And despite the problems associated with the trip here, Fulham were well represented with around 1,500 fans making the journey, well in excess of the 400 the club had anticipated would travel to Northern Germany.

And if the unexpected expedition through Europe, from Lithuania to Germany via Bulgaria, Russia, Italy, Switzerland and Ukraine, has been a pleasant bonus for those fans, success in this competition for Hamburg is more serious, given the fact that they are struggling in the Bundesliga and host the final next month.

So Hamburg's early dominance was understandable, yet Fulham stood as firm as they have in other strongholds during this quite remarkable run.

With only two minutes played Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has in the past enjoyed playing against Fulham with 10 games in nine previous meetings, forged forward but under pressure from Aaron Hughes the Dutchman lost control and Mark Schwarzer gathered safely.

Piotr Trochowski tried twice in quick succession with long-range attempts and then Jose Paolo Guerrero's effort was blocked by a well-timed interception from Brede Hangeland. But Fulham, stuck in a three-hour traffic jam on their way to Germany, were determined it would not be one-way traffic and responded in the 14th minute.

Hamburg's Jerome Boateng, widely reported to be joining Manchester City in the summer, got away with a blatant back pass to goalkeeper Frank Rost before Paul Konchesky's long, high ball dropped to Zamora, whose neat lay off allowed Zoltan Gera a shot which deflected off Boateng and narrowly wide.

As the game progressed so Fulham sensed they had a chance to return to West London with a comfortable result but they squandered a good chance to take advantage of Hamburg's careless play when Trochowski's wayward pass fell straight to Simon Davies but the Welshman's long pass eluded Zamora.

Fulham were containing Hamburg well, and while they could have made more capital from Hamburg's midfield mistakes, Roy Hodgson's team were both well organised and disciplined. Which could not be said for Hamburg, whose Joris Mathijsen was booked for a clumsy first half challenge on Gera.

Before the interval van Nistelrooy attempted a 25 yard effort, easily gathered by the German-born Schwarzer; the weakness of the attempt summed up the Germans' poor opening 45 minutes.

Fulham were first out for the second half but as the game continued so the fitness of Zamora became a concern. The striker appeared, at times in the first half, to be a little off the pace and when he challenged for a ball soon after kick-off he seemed to pull up.

It did not, however, prevent an attempt in the 49th minute but Zamora's long shot sailed high over the Hamburg bar. Still, though, Fulham looked comfortable, dictating play from the back and reducing Hamburg to long-range efforts.

Predictably, Zamora's involvement ended soon afterwards when he went off in the 52nd minute with a recurrence of a long-running Achilles problem. At least Fulham could call on Clint Dempsey, back from a three-match absence with a thigh injury and the perfect attacking replacement.

But the change almost produced a goal on the hour when another error by Hamburg allowed Fulham to counter-attack down the left-flank. Dempsey fed Gera who raced along the wing but his cross, heading for the unmarked substitute, was cut out by a defender and the Germans survived.

And in the 67th minute Gera had another chance after being put in by Damien duff but the Hungarian, given onside, thought the flag had raised, caught the ball with his hand and was cautioned.

Fulham held on and when Hamburg made a rare venture forward, a strong but direct effort from captain David Jarolim flying straight into the grateful arms of Schwarzer.

Another late effort, from van Nistelrooy, was again dealt with comfortably by the Australian, meaning that a journey wish began in July could, remarkably, be extended further.

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3268729,00.html

Fulham hold firm in Germany


Star striker Zamora limps off with Achilles injury

Last updated: 22nd April 2010   


Fulham continued their continental heroics in Germany to set up what could be an historic second leg against Hamburg in the semi-finals of the Europa League after the opening meeting finished in a 0-0 draw.

As the away side, the Premier League club will be the happier with the stalemate having been forced to journey 600 miles to the match by coach and train as a result of the travel chaos that has accompanied a cloud of volcanic ash in engulfing Europe.

Fulham, conquerors of Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg, will be additionally pleased as they managed to survive sustained periods of pressure from Hamburg to schedule what will now be a tense night on the banks of The Thames next Thursday.

Apart from a failure to score, the only negative for Roy Hodgson's team was the sight of star striker Bobby Zamora limping off with an Achilles tendon injury shortly after half-time.

Although their German opponents dominated at the Nordbank Arena, they never really looked like breaking through until a late flurry.

There is still work to do of course, and Ruud van Nistelrooy must be kept quiet by a defence that will lack the suspended Chris Baird but there was enough evidence to suggest Fulham's 18th match in a European campaign that began in Lithuania nine months ago will not be their last.

Hamburg were a force three decades ago, when they were powerful enough to lure Kevin Keegan away from Liverpool and then win the European Cup in 1983.

Those days are long gone. Hamburg can still attract big-name forwards, but even Van Nistelrooy would accept his best days are behind him.
Opportunity

Not that the former Manchester United star has lost his eye for goal, it is just that the pace he did have has been reduced still further.

Time was when he would have held Aaron Hughes off and snaffled the opportunity that came his way after barely a minute.

This time the Fulham defender was quick enough to react and nudge Van Nistelrooy aside, allowing goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to quell the danger.

It was the start of a one-sided opening period in terms of possession.

Yet, as Barcelona found out 48 hours earlier, possession does not mean much if it cannot be turned into goals.

Hamburg's attacks got less frequent as the half wore on.

Paolo Guerrero failed to take the best chance that came his way, and when Jonathan Pitroipa got to the byline, instead of cutting the ball back to an expectant team-mate, he rolled it straight through to Schwarzer.

That the Fulham shot-stopper was underemployed was largely due to the efforts of a watertight defence, marshalled superbly by Hughes and Brede Hangeland, and the screening midfield talents of Danny Murphy.

Fabulous

It might not have been the greatest spectacle but the hardy 1,000 or so Fulham fans who had made it to northern Germany for one of the most fabulous nights in their club's history were not fussed about that as Hamburg continued in vain to look for an opener.

After giving the impression of not quite being fit all evening, Fulham's 19-goal talisman Zamora eventually ambled off seven minutes after the restart without so much as having a shot with which to mark the occasion.

Zamora's exit raised inevitable question marks about the journey, which Hamburg will not have to undergo themselves.

Still, after shrugging aside Shakhtar, Italian giants Juventus and German champions Wolfsburg in the knockout section of the competition alone, Fulham are unlikely to let that spoil the party.

And if David Jarolim had not stretched out to intercept a Zoltan Gera cross bound for Zamora's replacement, Clint Dempsey, on the hour, the Cottagers would have been in dreamland.

Hamburg responded with their most productive spell of the game.

Pitroipa, Piotr Trochowski and Jarolim all scorched Schwarzer's fingers to various degrees as Fulham finally showed signs of collective weariness before Mladen Petric nearly found the target at the end.

The tie remained goalless, though, which will make Craven Cottage one pretty fine place to be for the return.

Hamburg   Team Statistics   Fulham
0   Goals   0
0   1st Half Goals   0
5   Shots on Target   0
10   Shots off Target   2
6   Blocked Shots   1
9   Corners   1
14   Fouls   8
3   Offsides   1
2   Yellow Cards   2
0   Red Cards   0
87.9   Passing Success   80.4
14   Tackles   20
85.7   Tackles Success   80
58   Possession   42
59.4   Territorial Advantage   40.6

[White Noise]

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fulham-draw-a-blank-in-hamburg-1951883.html


Fulham draw a blank in Hamburg

Hamburg 0 Fulham 0

By Simon Stone, PA Sport

Thursday, 22 April 2010

After spending 17 hours on a bus, Roy Hodgson parked it right in front of the Fulham goal as the Cottagers' Europa League magical mystery tour took them within sight of a grand finale back here in Hamburg next month.

Although their German opponents dominated possession at the Nordbank Arena, they never really looked like breaking through until a late flurry.

The two sides will reconvene in a week's time at Craven Cottage with Roy Hodgson's men hopeful of getting the win that would seal a first European final.

There is still work to do of course, and Ruud van Nistelrooy must be kept quiet by a defence that will lack the suspended Chris Baird, but there was enough evidence to suggest Fulham's 18th match in a European campaign that began in Lithuania nine months ago will not be their last.

Hamburg were a force three decades ago, when they were powerful enough to lure Kevin Keegan away from Liverpool and then win the European Cup in 1983.

Those days are long gone. Hamburg can still attract big-name forwards, but even Van Nistelrooy would accept his best days are behind him.

Not that the former Manchester United star has lost his eye for goal, it is just that the pace he did have has been reduced still further.

Time was when he would have held Aaron Hughes off and snaffled the opportunity that came his way after barely a minute.

This time the Fulham defender was quick enough to react and nudge Van Nistelrooy aside, allowing Mark Schwarzer to quell the danger.

It was the start of a one-sided opening period in terms of possession.

Yet, as Barcelona found out 48 hours earlier, possession does not mean much if it cannot be turned into goals.

Hamburg's attacks got less frequent as the half wore on.

Paolo Guerrero failed to take the best chance that came his way, and when Jonathan Pitroipa got to the byline, instead of cutting the ball back to an expectant team-mate, he rolled it straight through to Schwarzer.

That the Fulham goalkeeper was underemployed was largely due to the efforts of a watertight defence, marshalled superbly by Hughes and Brede Hangeland, and the screening midfield talents of Danny Murphy.

It might not have been the greatest spectacle but the hardy 1,000 or so Fulham fans who had made it to northern Germany for one of the most fabulous nights in their club's history were not fussed about that as Hamburg continued in vain to look for an opener.

After giving the impression of not quite being fit all evening, Fulham's 19-goal talisman Bobby Zamora eventually ambled off seven minutes after the restart without so much as having a shot with which to mark the occasion.

Zamora's exit raised inevitable question marks about the journey, which Hamburg will not have to undergo themselves.

Still, after shrugging aside Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and German champions Wolfsburg in the knockout section of the competition alone, Fulham are unlikely to let that spoil the party.

And if David Jarolim had not stretched out to intercept a Zoltan Gera cross bound for Zamora's replacement Clint Dempsey on the hour, the Cottagers would have been in dreamland.

Hamburg responded with their most productive spell of the game.

Pitroipa, Piotr Trochowski and Jarolim all scorched Schwarzer's fingers to various degrees as Fulham finally showed signs of collective weariness before Mladen Petric nearly found the target at the end.

The tie remained goalless though, which will make Craven Cottage one pretty fine place to be for the return.

[White Noise]

Hamburg 0 Fulham 0: Roy's well organised boys withstand German onslaught

By Laura Williamson

Last updated at 10:11 PM on 22nd April 2010


Fulham just keep upsetting the odds. Few would have forgiven Roy Hodgson's side for a below-par display after their 27-hour nightmare journey here, but they found the strength to keep a clean sheet and leave this tie in the balance.

Once again, Fulham did just enough, and will feel confident about the second leg at Craven Cottage next Thursday. If only Hamburg could be made to copy Fulham's travel plans.

Their Premier League record away from home is poor, but the London side have been impressive on their travels in Europe this season.

They won in Basle and Wolfsburg when they needed to do so, and they matched their draw in Donetsk with a solid performance in Hamburg.

Central defenders Aaron Hughes and Brede Hangeland were particularly resilient. They had come a long way, after all.

Fulham entered the sold-out 57,000-seat stadium in grey shirts and white shorts — the first time they have used their away kit in this Europa League campaign.

Spectators threw confetti and the blue letters of HSV stood out against a white background created by fans in the opposite stand. It was an atmosphere befitting a European semi-final.

But there was to be no repeat of Bobby Zamora's early goal in the quarter-final second leg against Wolfsburg, scored after just 22 seconds to ease nerves and provide a vital away goal.

Instead, there an early warning from Van Nistelrooy, who latched on to a pass from Dennis Aogo, went past Chris Baird but struggled to get his shot away. The 33-year-old scored 10 goals in nine matches against Fulham in his five years with Manchester United.

Piotr Trochowski hit two long-range shots within the first 10 minutes as Hamburg zipped the ball around in Fulham's half. But the visitors' two banks of four held firm, displaying the organisation that has served Fulham so well in Europe this season.

Yet the London side barely had a touch of the ball in the first 35 minutes, as their players stuck to the energy-sapping task of trying to close down their opponents and strike on the counter-attack.

A long ball from Paul Konchesky provided Fulham's first threat after 14 minutes. The left back floated a pass to Zamora, who flicked it on to Zoltan Gera. The Hungarian's shot was deflected a yard wide of the right post as David Jarolim intervened.

Simon Davies wasted the opportunity for a counter-attack when he intercepted a stray pass from Trochowski after 27 minutes, thumping a long ball to Zamora too far in front of the striker.

A horrible high challenge from Joris Mathijsen, for which the defender was booked, sent Gera flying after 32 minutes, but Fulham could not threaten from the resulting free-kick. Gera then failed to capitalise on a loose pass from Manchester City target Jerome Boateng. It was that sort of a first-half display from Fulham, but the tie remained goalless.

Roy Hodgson was able to pick his strongest XI, with the exception of the injured Andrew Johnson and Clint Dempsey, who started on the bench. The Fulham boss opted for the more defensive option of Chris Baird at right back, with Damien Duff ahead of him and Davies on the left.

But Fulham's preparation for their first European semi-final and the first leg of the biggest tie in their 131-year history could not have been worse.
Ze Roberto of HSV challenges Zoltan Gera of Fulham

After deciding on Monday that UK flight restrictions would not necessarily be lifted in time for their scheduled Wednesday flight to Hamburg, Fulham embarked on the 595-mile journey by coach and ferry.

The players were cramped on a coach for 17 hours of their 27-hour journey, able only to stretch their legs at the side of the motorway near Bremen when stuck in a three-hour traffic jam. Around 2,500 Fulham fans also made the trip by whatever means they could.

The team will fly back to London today, but with a Premier League game at Everton in store on Sunday, Hodgson will have every right to make as many changes as he wants.

Last night was Fulham's 17th match of a remarkable Europa League campaign that started back in late July. Hodgson's side have now travelled more than 15,000 miles in pursuit of European glory and played their 57th game of the season last night.

After knocking out holders Shakhtar Donetsk, two-time European Cup winners Juventus and Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, Fulham were back in Germany to play the 1983 European Cup champions.

A signed black and white photograph of former Fulham boss Kevin Keegan, who played for Hamburg from 1977 to 1980 and started in the German side's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest in the 1980 European Cup final, stands proudly in the VIP entrance to the Nordbank Arena.

Premier League fans will hope another of Keegan's former clubs, Liverpool, will be back in Hamburg with Fulham come May 12 for the Europa League final.

Zamora left the field after 52 minutes. The striker had not looked comfortable since picking up a knock in the warm-up and was replaced by Clint Dempsey. Zamora has also been struggling with a sore achilles.

Gera had the chance to shoot at goal after a sprint down the left wing on 60 minutes and the midfielder was only denied by a last-ditch tackle from Ze Roberto minutes later.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1268134/Hamburg-0-Fulham-0-Roys-organised-boys-withstand-German-onslaught.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0lrxR1Wg0

[White Noise]

Hamburg 0 - 0 Fulham

Over 2,000 Fulham supporters made it to Germany to witness the Club's Europa League Semi-Final (first leg) in Hamburg despite the recent travel disruptions across Europe.

The home side started strongly in the Nordbank Arena, threatening during the opening exchanges with several strikes from distance. Forced on to the defensive early on, Roy Hodgson's side required plenty of concentration and focus to keep Hamburg at bay during the opening ten minutes.

Aaron Hughes, who nullified the threat of Ruud van Nistelrooy throughout the contest with some top class defending, personified the Whites defensive resilience on Thursday night.

After 13 minutes of play Fulham almost broke the deadlock against the run of play. A long ball from Konchesky found Zamora on the 18-yard line and the striker's knockdown fell to feet of Gera. The Hungarian's deflected shot looped agonisingly wide of goal.

As the 20-minute mark approached Fulham looked to have successfully drawn the early sting out of Hamburg's attacking force and settled into a comfortable period of play.

However eight minutes later the home side moved up a gear and looked to stretch Fulham's defence from the flanks. From wide positions the home side were reigning in some fine deliveries but Hughes and Hangeland were imperious under pressure.

On the half hour mark Mathijsen was booked following a crude challenge on Gera on the halfway line. Whilst Fulham had not imposed themselves in the final third Hodgson's side could be more than satisfied with their first half performance.

After soaking up the early pressure from Hamburg, the Whites looked more than comfortable against their German opponents inside the Nordbank Arena.

In fact, apart from some long-range shots and dangerous crosses, Schwarzer was never seriously tested during the first 45 minutes. It was a fine start to the first quarter of the Team's UEFA Europa League Semi-Final.

The only concern at half-time was Bobby Zamora, who appeared to be bravely fighting through the pain barrier during the first half. The striker returned for the start of the second half but was clearly struggling with an Achilles injury and Manager Roy Hodgson had no option but to replace Fulham's leading goalscorer after 52 minutes of play.

US international Clint Dempsey replaced Zamora in attack alongside Zoltan Gera. Fulham were enjoyed a greater share of possession at the start of the second half as the game opened up.

Chris Baird was booked after 52 minutes, which means the Northern Ireland international will miss next week's second leg at the Cottage.

Just after the hour mark Gera and Dempsey linked up superbly on two occasions to almost hand Fulham a crucial away goal advantage. Firstly, Gera delivered from the left flank, finding Dempsey on the six-yard line, but Mathijsen agonisingly cleared the ball away to safety.

Just four minutes later Dempsey returned the favour and set the Hungarian through on goal eight yards out. Gera was then left grounded following a challenge in the area but the Hungarian's penalty appeal was denied.

After 70 minutes Hamburg tested Schwarzer three times in the space of two minutes. Fulham's keeper was required to produce three instinctive world class saves after blistering shots from Pitroipa, Trochowski and Jarolim.

Fulham looked considerably more dangerous in the second half and as the tie wore on there was more promise that the Whites would catch the home side on the counter attack as Hamburg drove forward seeking an opener.

During the final ten minutes Fulham were offered more encouragement that a late away goal could be snatched. However two minutes from time Petric's drive flashed across the area and Schwarzer once again showed his class, with another stunning save at the near post.

During the three minutes of added time Trochowski dragged Duff to the floor down the right flank and the booking that followed will rule the Hamburg winger out of the second leg.

The game ended on level terms and Fulham can be deeply satisfied with a draw following a thoroughly professional performance in Hamburg. Fulham will return to the Cottage next Thursday evening hoping to continue their unbeaten European home record and reach the Final of the UEFA Europa League.

Fulham's dream will come down to 90 minutes at the Cottage after a sensational run all the way from the qualifying stages.

The second leg promises to be another enthralling night of European football in SW6 and Roy Hodgson's side have the advantage of being backed by the Cottage faithful. The Whites are one step away from a major European Final and their fate will be decided on home turf.


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/MatchAndTeam/MatchCentre/Matches/0910/EuropaLeague/HamburgAway.aspx#ixzz0lrzGUeOj

[White Noise]

One Step Away


Thursday 22nd April 2010

Fulham FC News

Clint Dempsey was understandably satisfied with Thursday night's draw in Hamburg and is clearly determined to see Fulham through to the UEFA Europa League Final when the Whites return to the Cottage next week.

"We're happy with the result tonight and the next leg's back at home so we're in a good position to get the job done next week," said Dempsey. "Personally, I felt good tonight. I felt sharp and I thought I made a difference tonight.

"It was great to see our fans here tonight, especially with what's been going on with the volcano and hopefully we can get the job done next week. They'll be excited about the result because we are.

"The pitch was really nice this evening and they had good support and that's what it's all about. You want to play in stadiums like this and that's why we're excited we're in this competition. Hopefully the atmosphere will be great at the Cottage next week.

"We have a good record at home and hopefully we can continue that. Were in with a good chance and if we can take advantage we can get all the way to the Final.

"We know what's at stake and we know how we need to play. Our coaching staff do a great job of preparing us for all our games. We work hard and we really put in the work. I'm not surprised with how well we're doing. We're a Team that has confidence and hopefully we can get the job done.

"It would be great for Fulham and great for the players to reach the Final. We're so close to the Final and we'll be doing everything to make sure we're there."


Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/DempseyHamburgReaction.aspx#ixzz0lrzh87CM

[HatterDon]

Christ Almighty. We hold them on their own patch after hitchhiking up the bloody Autobahn and we get this?

Fulham draw blank in Hamburg but retain final hopes  :58:

Anyone else think this was a brilliant result and that some of the evaluations of the result and our play are absolute garbage?

[WhiteJC]

Christ Almighty. We hold them on their own patch after hitchhiking up the bloody Autobahn and we get this?

Fulham draw blank in Hamburg but retain final hopes  :58:

Anyone else think this was a brilliant result and that some of the evaluations of the result and our play are absolute garbage?

I agree Mr Don, if Liverpool had got the same result it would have been all about how they overcame travel difficulties to gain an outstanding result in European football, all we get is...
"Fulham should have lost, but didn't"

[White Noise]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11681_6110190,00.html

New Zamora worry for Fulham


Striker in race to be fit after aggravating Achilles injury


Last updated: 23rd April 2010   


Roy Hodgson has confirmed Bobby Zamora is a doubt for the second leg of Fulham's Europa League semi-final after aggravating his Achilles injury against Hamburg.

Zamora has been struggling with an Achilles problem in recent weeks, but was passed fit to start Thursday's first leg in Germany.

However, the Cottagers' top scorer was replaced early in the second half by Clint Dempsey as Hodgson's side stood firm to record a 0-0 draw.

The striker seems certain to miss Sunday's Premier League game against Everton and Hodgson is hoping Zamora will recover in time for the visit of Hamburg next Thursday.

Struggling
"Bobby has had this problem with his Achilles for some while," revealed Hodgson.

"He has missed one or two league games, but he felt okay yesterday and we hoped he would get through the game.

"But even in the first half he was struggling with it. The medical staff gave him the all-clear to start the second half, but they warned me I might have to take him off.

"We have one week to deal with the problem. It is not a fresh injury so we hope a week gives us the chance to put it right because I would say he has no chance of being fit for Sunday."

Zamora's absence for the second leg against Hamburg would harm their chances of reaching the final, however, Hodgson is confident his team do know where the goal is.

"We have goals in this team," he said.

"We created one or two very dangerous moments tonight and the atmosphere at Craven Cottage next week will help us as well."

[White Noise]

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/newsid=1480129.html?rss=1480129+Murphy+salutes+Fulham's+artful+graft


Murphy salutes Fulham's artful graft


Published: Friday 23 April 2010, 8.05CET


Danny Murphy was delighted after Fulham FC shook off any travel sickness with a draw at Hamburger SV, and promised the English minnows will be a different proposition on home soil.

Read moreDanny Murphy lauded Fulham FC's "clever" performance after the English dark horses overcame yet another hurdle en route to the UEFA Europa League final, a goalless draw at Hamburger SV leaving hopes high ahead of next Thursday's return.

The hosts dominated for long periods of the last-four opener, and Murphy was the first to admit the visitors arrived with a predominantly destructive game plan. "We felt that if we kept good shape and discipline then we would limit their chances because that's what we're good at," said the 33-year-old. "With a bit more quality on the break we could have done more damage, but that would have been harsh because they did have a lot of possession."

With almost 50,000 fans packed into the Hamburg Arena, the Fulham players would have been forgiven for feeling a tad intimidated. Substitute Clint Dempsey, though, revelled in the environment. "You want to play in stadiums like this," said the striker, Fulham's hero against Juventus in the round of 16. "That's why we want to be a part of the Europa League; so we can be part of these experiences."

The Cottagers are now just one game away from their first major European final. Bobby Zamora, the quarter-final match-winner against VfL Wolfsburg, explained just how much it would mean to the club to return to northern Germany for the showpiece on 12 May. "It would be massive," he said. "It would be huge for us, but we've still got Hamburg to beat yet and from what we've seen it's going to be a very tough game."

Indeed, there is plenty of work ahead for Fulham, who, says Murphy, will be a different proposition on home soil. "They probably think they're going to come and dominate like they did tonight, but they won't."

Dempsey pointed out that Roy Hodgson's charges will "approach the game like we approach any other"; something of a relief after the closure of much of Europe's airspace meant Fulham warmed up for the first leg with a 24-hour journey and a training session in a German lay-by. "We'll be trying to get the score we need to advance," the United States international continued. "We already know what's at stake and how we need to play."

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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/fulham/article7105709.ece

Fulham hold firm in Hamburg but lack spark to grab breakthrough


Hamburg 0 Fulham 0

Tom Dart, Hamburg

Ruud van Nistelrooy? He was quiet. But so was everyone else. The opening act of this Europa League semi-final was one of those self-conscious first legs darkened by the shadow of the 90 minutes to come. A night for calculation rather than inspiration.

After this solid result, the hope of Fulham returning to Hamburg on May 12 for the final flickers brightly, but it is tempting to wonder if Roy Hodgson's side could have gone into Thursday's return fixture at Craven Cottage as strong favourites.

Fulham produced a performance yesterday that was responsible, prudent and pragmatic, and they leave northern Germany — by plane, this time — on level terms and feeling confident. However, Hamburg are no better than any of the formidable opponents Fulham have already dispatched on their grand European tour, so it was a slight shame that the visiting team were unable to snatch an away goal.

That will put pressure on the defence to keep a clean sheet next week, although on the evidence of last night and this season in general, that is no reason for the Londoners to feel anxious. This was their fourth successive game without conceding.

To feel even vaguely regretful that Fulham left Hamburg with a goalless draw is to be utterly greedy. But that is the price of achievement: the constant thirst for more. So impressive have Fulham looked in Europe this season that it is easy to lose perspective and forget we are talking about a small team in uncharted territory. They resemble their continental veteran of a manager, and it is a very convincing disguise.

Van Nistelrooy was kept subdued, except for one moment inside the first minute. The 33-year-old threatened to run — perhaps lollop would be a more accurate description of his languid style — clear inside the first minute but delayed his shot and was caught and blocked off.

It was only a few years ago that English football's debating societies would regularly ponder whether Van Nistelrooy or Thierry Henry was the finest striker in the land. Henry's status at Barcelona has dipped to such an extent that the poor man has even been linked with a move to Major League Soccer, but Van Nistelrooy is resurgent since leaving Real Madrid for Hamburg in January.

His are a team in need of a talisman. The Europa League has made Fulham's season; Hamburg need it to save theirs. Dismal recent league form has seen them sink to seventh in the Bundesliga and made it likely that Bruno Labbadia, the coach, will be replaced after only one campaign.

Frank Rost, the goalkeeper, was rebuked by Labbadia for taking five team-mates to the cinema to see Clash of the Titans the night before a home defeat by Mainz last weekend. For special effects transforming a man from mere mortal to demi-god, look no farther than Bobby Zamora.

He entered the match with 19 goals this season. Six came in the Europa League, including a strike after 20 seconds in the previous round a fortnight ago that helped to eliminate Wolfsburg, the German champions. Who would you rather have in your team, Van Nistelrooy or Zamora? A question that would have seemed ludicrous a couple of months ago now seems legitimate.

However, Zamora's achievements have come in spite of his body: his troublesome Achilles injury flared up again yesterday and he was taken off after 52 minutes, his availability for the second leg uncertain and a worry given Fulham's reliance on his goals and assists.

Hamburg were firmly on top in the early stages, but Fulham almost pinched the lead after 14 minutes.

Zamora's smart flick gave Zoltan Gera space for a shot that deflected off Joris Mathijsen and narrowly wide.

The dribbling of Jonathan Pitroipa caused Fulham angst, but otherwise they smothered Hamburg's attacks. The trouble with the soak-then-surge tactics was that while Hodgson's side were adept at absorbing pressure, they offered nothing up front.

Zamora was replaced by Clint Dempsey, who had been sidelined for the past three games with a thigh injury. Dempsey's first notable contribution was to tumble in the box under a challenge from Jerome Boateng — brother of Kevin-Prince, of Portsmouth, and expected to join Manchester City in the summer. Nothing was given, though Dempsey appeared to have been shoved in the back.

Midway through the half, Danny Murphy sent Gera clear, but he brought the ball down with his hand as he tried to control it and was rightly booked. At the other end, Mark Schwarzer made two good saves in close succession, tipping over efforts from Pitroipa and Piotr Trochowski.

Hamburg grew stronger but since this was Fulham's 57th game of the season, reached via a 17-hour coach journey, there were mitigating circumstances. But after all that travelling, it felt last night that they never quite arrived. That is the greed talking again, of course. They have come so far.

Hamburg (4-4-2): F Rost — G Demel (sub: T Rincón, 82min), J Mathijsen, J Boateng, D Aogo — J Pitroipa, D Jarolim, Zé Roberto, P Trochowski — R van Nistelrooy, J P Guerrero (sub: M Petric, 72). Substitutes not used: W Hesl, D Rozehnal, R Tesche, M Berg, T Torun. Booked: Mathijsen, Trochowski.

Fulham (4-4-1-1): M Schwarzer — C Baird, A Hughes, B Hangeland, P Konchesky — D Duff, D Murphy, D Etuhu, S Davies — Z Gera — R Zamora (sub: C Dempsey, 52). Substitutes not used: P Zuberbühler, S Kelly, E Nevland, C Smalling, J Greening, K Dikgacoi. Booked: Baird, Gera.

Referee: C Bo Larsen (Denmark).

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Hamburg 0 Fulham 0

From ANDREW DILLON in Hamburg

Published: 22 Apr 2010


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FULHAM ended their 600-mile road trip by parking a bus in front of the goal.

Boss Roy Hodgson and his players fly back to London by private jet today in the style they are more accustomed to.


Last night's performance was not exactly what the fans have become used to on a swashbuckling ride through Europe this season.


Goals, adventure, giantkillings and comebacks have been the thrilling hallmarks of an historic first journey in the Europa League.


But, here in Germany, they added steely defending, grit and determination to the fascinating mix that only adds to the excitement.


And it set up a wonderful result that puts Fulham on the brink of a return to the Nordbank Arena for the final on May 12.


Brede Hangeland was a tower of strength in the heart of defence and when the backline was breached in the second half, keeper Mark Schwarzer pulled off three superb saves in as many minutes to defy the Germans.


The build-up to the game was far from ideal thanks to no-fly zones, Icelandic volcanoes, a 17-hour coach drive, monster traffic jams and then injury to star striker Bobby Zamora in the second half.


But by holding on and holding their own against the Germans, Fulham are in the driving seat for Thursday's return at Craven Cottage.


The understandable elation from the result was tainted by the loss of Zamora with an Achilles injury just seven minutes after the break.


Fulham's 19-goal top scorer has been carrying the problem all season.


Two knocks early on in last night's match was enough to put him out of action and rob Fulham of their main goal threat.


Zamora's quickfire goal after just 22 seconds against Wolfsburg in the last round summed up the difference in their approach to the two games.


Back in Germany, just two weeks after overcoming the Bundesliga champions, Fulham's pace had slowed down considerably.


And with Hamburg happy to build patiently from the back against the Cottagers' gritty defence, the tempo dropped to the low gears.


Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manchester United's old Dutch striker, caused a minor scare after just two minutes, forcing his way into the Fulham box only for keeper Schwarzer to safely gather the ball.


A minute later, Piotr Trochowski popped off a long-range shot but it was relatively easy pickings for Schwarzer again.


Hamburg did not look like they had it in them to hurt Fulham.


Van Nistelrooy scored 10 times in nine games against them while at Old Trafford but, last night, he showed nothing in the first half to suggest he would add to that tally.


The big Dutchman was forced too many times to drop back and search for the ball instead of waiting for service from his midfield.


And it meant Fulham defenders Hangeland and Aaron Hughes were able to mop up the danger with relative ease.


There was little to see from Roy's boys by way of attack in the first half.


Zoltan Gera had their only shot thanks to a clever piece of supply work from Zamora.


He touched on a through ball from Paul Konchesky and Gera tried his luck with a shot that, although deflected, still whistled past the Hamburg post.


During half-time, the PA boomed out Elvis Presley's hit 'A Little Less Conversation A Little More Action Please' and it seemed to hit the right note.


Sub Clint Dempsey and Gera did combine with a double charge into the box to threaten Hamburg but, as the game wore on, the hosts gained the upper hand.


Schwarzer palmed away a fierce rising shot from Jonathan Pitroipa, then saved from Trochowski and finally stopped a thundering long-range shot from Hamburg skipper David Jarolim.


Fulham rode out the storm and will be back in the air again tomorrow, flying up to Merseyside to face Everton in a Premier League match that is now redundant in the eyes of the 1,000 travelling fans who were singing 'We'll Be Back In Three Weeks' Time' as they celebrated a great result.


Incidentally, spare a thought for Fulham's coach driver today as much as Hodgson's heroes on the pitch.


While the players and officials will be whisked back to London by air in barely an hour - he will be making the 17-hour road trip back to Blighty all alone.


DREAM TEAM RATINGS

STAR MAN - Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

FULHAM: Schwarzer 8, Baird 6, Hughes 7, Hangeland 7, Konchesky 7, Duff 6, Etuhu 7, Murphy 7, Davies 6, Zamora 6, Gera 6. Subs: Dempsey (Zamora 52) 6. Not used: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Smalling, Greening, Dikgacoi, Nevland. Booked: Baird, Gera.

Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2944323/Hamburg-0-Fulham-0.html#ixzz0luTFnDcm

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Murphy: It's a job well Dan

From ANDREW DILLON in Hamburg

Published: Today


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DANNY MURPHY believes Fulham are in a "good position" to seal a Europa League final place after battling to a stalemate here.


Keeper Mark Schwarzer was the hero as Roy Hodgson's men snuffed out the German giants.

Skipper Murphy said: "This was a job well done. We knew they were an attacking side and they would come out at us.

"But, in the end, we had a reasonably comfortable night and have now put ourselves in a good position."

Fulham, whose thrilling and shock charge to the semi-finals began in Lithuania nine months ago, are now in command going into Thursday's return at Craven Cottage.

But they were not helped by a 17-hour journey by road to northern Germany because of the volcanic ash crisis.

Despite the problems some 1,000 travelling fans also managed to make it.

However, boss Hodgson warned: "It is not only dangerous to think we are already through, it's foolish. We're very happy and have given ourselves a chance. But the game is still very open.

"No one leaves a goalless draw at half-time or goes for a cup of tea thinking the game is won.

"It will be a different game on our tighter pitch and 0-0 is not such a bad result for Hamburg because if they score we then need to score twice."

Aussie No1 Schwarzer, 37, who brilliantly saved Piotr Trochowski's long-range shot, said: "The long journey out here by road was well documented and, late on, the boys were feeling it in their legs.

"At one point we had three hours to spend on the motorway. But if your mind is right you can get it right and towards the end we could even have come away with a goal."
 
Hodgson added: "I'm very happy with the result - we made such an effort to get here.

"We were determined not to use the difficult journey as an excuse but you cannot prepare well when you've been in a bus for two days."

Now a victory will see Fulham return to the Nordbank Arena for the final on May 12.

But they may be missing 19-goal strike star Bobby Zamora, who hobbled off with an Achilles problem.

Hodgson said: "There is very little chance of him playing against Everton on Sunday."



Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/2944581/Murphy-Its-a-job-well-Dan.html#ixzz0luTbTKA5

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http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Hamburg-0-0-Fulham-The-Daily-Mirror-match-report-Cottagers-favourites-to-return-to-Germany-for-Europa-League-final-article401789.html

Hamburg 0-0 Fulham: The Daily Mirror match report

Published 21:56 22/04/10


By Darren Lewis


Two years ago at this stage of the season Fulham were on the brink of relegation.

Last night they put themselves within touching distance of their first European trophy in their 131-year history.

Standing in their way is a home tie against a Hamburg side far inferior, quite frankly, to the Roma and Juventus teams that they have already put out of this competition.

For goodness' sake, the holders Shakhtar Donetsk are a much better team and Fulham saw them off with the minimum of fuss.


So why shouldn't the west Londoners feel a modicum of confidence going into next Thursday's second leg - with or without Bobby Zamora?

Hamburg beat Spurs to three-time Champions League top scorer Ruud van Nistelrooy but they have no idea how to get the best out of him, with the service to the Dutchman last night absolutely shocking.

At Manchester United, Van the Man benefited from ammunition supplied by the likes of Beckham, Giggs and Scholes. HSV wingers Jonathan Pitroilpa and Piotr Trochowski, along with midfielder David Jarolim, are nowhere near the class of the men from Old Trafford.

As a result Van Nistelrooy was forced to come deep for the ball and at one stage the 33-year-old striker berated his team-mates in frustration.

All of which would have been music to the ears to Hodgson and his team whose only setback on a good night was the loss of Zamora.

The former West Ham and Spurs striker has been inspirational throughout their magnificent campaign with goals in the knockout stages against Donestsk, Roma, Juventus and Wolfsburg.

But he has been troubled for some time by an Achilles injury which has had to be managed by Fulham's medical staff and last night proved a bridge too far.

You get the sense, however, that even if Zamora doesn't feature in the second leg the indomitable spirit that has taken the club this far will see them through.

Fulham are no one-man team. Far from it. Hodgson will find a way to maximise the potential of his players, to keep them disciplined and to take their chances when they come next Thursday.

That's not to say Hamburg are any slouches. They dominated possession for long periods of time and passed it well but they just never seemed at any stage as though they would really hurt Hodgson's men.

And Van Nistelrooy doesn't score many goals from outside the box, which is where he was shooting from time after time last night. If he is doing that at Craven Cottage then Fulham will be delighted.

Because, despite their marathon 17-hour trip which involved that infamous light workout on the German autobahn as the team coach was stuck in traffic, they buckled down to their task well last night.

Even after the match the players were not using their incredible journey as an excuse. They were more focused on the improbable journey that they want to end with a place back here in Hamburg in three weeks' time for the final.

Hodgson may have banned talk of the showpiece with the tie on a knife edge at half-time. But after nine months, 19,000 miles and trips to Lithuania, Sofia, Roma, Donetsk, Turin, Vilnius and Perm, can you really blame Fulham's player for feeling the final is in sight?

[ScalleysDad]

I would be gutted for myself and indeed for Bobby Z if he can't make the return match. But the big BUT. He would be safe for the final and we did continue to press when he went off. Demps and Gera  with Duff and Davies wide should as Roy says " know where the goal is "

I quick like the coach trip/parking a bus in front of goal analogy. However as we are hating Liverpool this morning what would the media offer as their one summary?

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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/fulham/7623706/Fulham-manager-Roy-Hodgson-has-Europa-League-final-in-sight-after-draw-in-Hamburg.html

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has Europa League final in sight after draw in Hamburg


As Fulham returned from another European success, manager Roy Hodgson insisted that his team has already proved they are capable of reaching the Europa League final.

By John Ley in Hamburg


Published: 9:05AM BST 23 Apr 2010

Eyes on the prize: Roy Hodgson believes Fulham have done enough this season already to be considered credible Europa League winners Photo: REUTERS
A goalless draw in the first leg of the semi-final here leaves Fulham as favourites to reach the final, also to be played in Hamburg.

Hodgson said: "We will not be asking for a miracle, we will be asking for a great performance and we are asking the team to try and win a home game.

"But we have shown we are capable of that. The only team (in the competition) that has succeeded in not losing at Craven Cottage is Roma and that was because the referee incorrectly sent off one of our players and we had to play with ten men and they equalised in the 96th minute."

Indeed, at home Fulham have been superb this season. In the League they have taken 10 of their 11 victories at Craven Cottage while, in the Europa League, Fulham have won seven and drawn one of their eight home ties, scoring 16 goals and conceding just three.

Fulham have now gone 416 minutes since they last conceded a goal, but they have also gone a minute short of six hours without scoring so the return could prove fascinating.

And Hodgson defended his side's scoring record when he added: "The recent games have not exactly been easy. The 0-0 against Liverpool at Anfield was a creditable result. I think the 0-0 here at Hamburg is the same.

"It was disappointing not to score against Wolves in our home game but maybe we had our minds on this game.

"I think we have goals in our team. I think we showed that very much in the second half when we created one or two very dangerous moments in front of the Hamburg goal

"And the atmosphere at Craven Cottage, the help we get from the fans and the different type of pitch, that will be something for HSV to come to terms with just as we had to come to terms with playing on a much bigger pitch than we are used to and a perfect playing surface which we have not seen for some while.

"We negated the best of Hamburg's play. It's possible they will negate the best of our play at Craven Cottage and if they score a goal at Craven Cottage then the advantage passes to them because we would need to score two.

"So the game is totally open as far as I am concerned but I'm delighted it is open because it's very easy in the first match of these two legged matches to put yourself out of contention."

Fulham will fly back to Gatwick, having taken 17 hours to reach Northern Germany by road, and now they face Everton at Goodison Park, a game they rarely do well in.

Everton have won their last 16 home League games against Fulham, who have never won at Goodison Park in the League, in 21 attempts. In that period, going back to 1949, they have won 17 and drawn four.

And Fulham have failed to score in their last seven Premier League away games. Their last away goal was at Stoke, in January.

They will also be without Bobby Zamora, who aggravated an old Achilles injury. The striker, who has scored six goals in Europe, is hoping to be available for the return leg next Thursday.

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http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/matches/season=2010/round=2000041/match=2000963/prematch/background/index.html?rss=1475151+Hamburg+threaten+Fulham+home+rule

Hamburg threaten Fulham home rule


Published: Friday 23 April 2010


A 0-0 draw at the Hamburg Arena, the venue for the inaugural UEFA Europa League final, has left Fulham FC on top, but Hamburger SV will not give up their dream of a decider on home soil easily.


• There were no goals last week when the sides met in Germany, with Fulham defending heroically. Tellingly, Hamburg had five shots on goal while their guests had none, and were also well on top in terms of corners (7-1) and offsides (3-1).

Previous meetings
• Before last week, the sides had never met in Europe.

• Hamburg have now played 13 games against English sides in European club competition, with the record W4 D3 L6: (W0 D1 L4 in England). Those ties include a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest FC in the 1979/80 European Champion Clubs' Cup final in Madrid.

• Those previous meetings include four two-legged knockout ties, of which HSV won three and lost one, going down 7-1 on aggregate to Liverpool FC in the 1977 UEFA Super Cup.

• Their best result against an English side – home or away – remains a 4-1 win against Burnley FC in the 1960/61 European Cup quarter-final second leg. Their worst was a 6-0 loss at Anfield in the aforementioned UEFA Super Cup game.

• Hamburg have yet to win in five trips to England, avoiding defeat only once, with a 0-0 draw against Southampton FC at The Dell in a 1984/85 UEFA Cup first round opener.

• Fulham are playing against German opposition for the second round in succession, having beaten reigning Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg 2-1 at home and 1-0 away in the quarter-finals.

• Fulham's only other games against German opposition marked the end of their 2002/03 UEFA Cup campaign. They lost 2-1 at Hertha BSC Berlin before drawing 0-0 at Queens Park Rangers FC's Loftus Road – their then temporary home – in the third round.

• Thus Fulham's record in five games against German sides reads W2 D2 L1 (W1 D1 L0 in London).

Match background
• Fulham have only once drawn the first leg of a European tie away from home, holding Bologna FC 2-2 in one of the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup finals, before winning the return fixture 3-1 in London.

• Hamburg have drawn 0-0 at home in the opening leg of three European ties, going on to win the most recent two of them (one on away goals). They were undone in the 1983 UEFA Super Cup, however, losing 2-0 at Aberdeen FC.

• This is Hamburg's ninth appearance in the semi-finals of a major UEFA club competition. They have won five of their previous last-four ties and lost three, most recently bowing out to Werder Bremen in last season's UEFA Cup.

• Fulham have long since eclipsed their best season in Europe, and have reached a major European semi-final for the first time in their history.

• Fulham remain unbeaten in 15 European home games (11 wins, four draws) since making their continental debut in the 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup. They have conceded more than one goal just once when holding European matches, drawing 2-2 with HNK Hajduk Split in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup first round, and have won their last four home fixtures in the UEFA Europa League.

• Hamburg's 3-1 quarter-final win at R. Standard de Liège ended a run of three straight European away defeats for Bruno Labbadia's men.

Team facts
• Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy will need little introduction to Fulham fans. He played in nine games against the Cottagers with Manchester United FC from 2001 to 2006 and garnered the record W7 D1 L1 (W2 D1 L0 away from home).

• The Dutch striker scored ten times in those fixtures, all but three of them against his future United team-mate and countryman Edwin van der Sar; seven at Old Trafford and three at Fulham.

• Fulham manager Roy Hodgson faced Hamburg in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup group stage, with his Viking FK side – which featured current Fulham defender Brede Hangeland – losing 2-0 at the Hamburg Arena.

• Piotr Trochowski is the only current Hamburg player who featured in that game.

• In total, prior to joining Fulham Hodgson had coached in five games against German opposition, with the record W2 D0 L3 (W2 D0 L0 as home coach).

• In his two two-legged ties against German opposition, Hodgson's Halmstads BK side lost to 1. FC Dynamo Dresden in the 1977/78 European Cup first round while his FC Internazionale Milano charges lost the 1997 UEFA Cup final on penalties against FC Schalke 04 after the teams traded 1-0 home wins.

• Hamburg's David Rozehnal and Fulham's Damien Duff were team-mates at Newcastle United FC in 2007/08. Newcastle won 1-0 at Craven Cottage on 15 December 2007 in Rozehnal's only game against the London side.

• HSV's Marcus Berg and Fulham's Erik Nevland were team-mates at FC Groningen in 2007/08.

• Hamburg's Mladen Petrić and Fulham's Pascal Zuberbühler played together at FC Basel 1893 from 2004 to 2006, winning the title in Petrić's first season.

• Petrić – and indeed Züberbuhler – came up against Fulham's first-choice keeper Mark Schwarzer in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup quarter-finals, as Basel took on Middlesbrough FC. The English side lost 2-0 in Switzerland, and went a goal behind in the second leg only to win the match 4-1 en route to a final defeat.

• HSV defender Guy Demel spent 2000/01 in England with Arsenal FC, without making a single league appearance.

• The brother of Hamburg defender Jerome Boateng, Kevin-Prince Boateng, plays in the Premier League with Portsmouth FC.

• Hodgson was Petrić's coach at Grasshopper-Club in 1999/2000, though the striker made just two substitute appearances in the league that campaign. The Zurich club finished fourth, with Hodgson moving on to FC København.

• Australian goalkeeper Schwarzer's parents were born in Germany, and he played there with Dynamo Dresden (1994-95) and 1. FC Kaiserslautern (1995-96) before moving to England. Hamburg coach Bruno Labbadia also played for Kaiserslautern from 1988 to 1991.

• Zuberbühler made 13 Bundesliga appearances while on loan from Basel at Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2000/01. Hamburg midfielder Zé Roberto was among his team-mates at the BayArena.

• Fulham forwards Bobby Zamora (39) and Zoltán Gera (27) have committed more fouls than any other players in the UEFA Europa League. Zamora has also been ruled offside more than any player left in the last four – 22 in total.

• Hamburg's David Jarolím has been fouled 30 times, more than any other player left in the competition.

• Zamora is the highest scoring active player in the competition with six goals, while team-mate Bjørn Helge Riise has made more assists than any other player in the semi-finals with four.

• As a Hamburg player between 1977 and 1980, Kevin Keegan helped HSV to the 1978/79 Bundesliga title, winning the Ballon d'Or that year and playing in the 1980 European Cup final. Keegan, who earned the nickname 'Mighty Mouse' in Germany, was Fulham manager in 1998/99, guiding the club to promotion from the English third tier before leaving to become England manager.

Final facts
• The winners will face either Club Atlético de Madrid or Liverpool FC in the final at the Hamburg Arena on 12 May. Both Fulham and Hamburg competed in the UEFA Europa League group stage, while Atlético and Liverpool finished third in their UEFA Champions League groups.

• Since the UEFA Cup was decided with a one-off final at a neutral venue for the first time in 1997/98, two sides have played in the decider at their home stadium. Feyenoord beat BV Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at their De Kuip home in 2001/02, but Sporting Clube de Portugal lost 3-1 to PFC CSKA Moskva in 2004/05 at their Estádio José Alvalade.

• Seven UEFA Cup finals have been contested by sides from the same association, though there have been no all-English encounters since the very first edition of the UEFA Europa League's precursor:
1971/72 – ENG: Tottenham Hotspur FC beat Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
1979/80 – GER: Eintracht Frankfurt beat VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach
1989/90 – ITA: Juventus beat ACF Fiorentina
1990/91 – ITA: FC Internazionale Milano beat AS Roma
1994/95 – ITA: Parma FC beat Juventus
1997/98 – ITA: FC Internazionale Milano beat S.S. Lazio
2006/07 – ESP: Sevilla FC beat RCD Espanyol

Penalties
• Fulham have never been involved in a European penalty shoot-out.

• Hamburg lost their only European penalty shoot-out 4-3 on home turf against Dutch opponents Sparta Rotterdam following a 2-2 aggregate draw in the 1985/86 UEFA Cup first round.

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Zat Knight challenged -

BBC - Newsbeat - Bolton's Zat Knight takes on Newsbeat challenge