bwin Sportsblog - Football - Fantastic Fulham

Fulham just keep on and on confounding the sceptics including me and now amazingly they are just 90 minutes away from a major European final after their gutsy 0-0 draw away at Hamburg. I think Hamburg were rightly favourites and with the final being inside their own stadium then they must be favourites for the entire tournament but what price now? One thing is certain and Hamburg will not relish going to the tight little Craven Cottage for the second leg. After results against Roma (leading Serie A), Basle (Swiss Champions), Juventus (leading Seria A side), Shakhtar Donestk (The holders), Wolfsburg (German Champions) then is there nothing that Fulham cannot do in this tournament. I have tipped them to lose in every knockout round and I should hold my head in shame. Having to travel to Hamburg made life even more difficult as it did for Liverpool as well last night and they will be happy to come away from the Vicente Calderon stadium only 1-0 down to Atletico Madrid. Liverpool did not play well and without Torres they lacked sharpness up front. I think the chances for an all English Europa League final are very good now and Atletico have not won many games in Europe this season and Chelsea beat them 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. I expect Liverpool to overturn the deficit next week although not having an away goal and the possibility of conceding one will be a worry. Atletico are having a poor season in La Liga and are in some ways mirroring Liverpool's season. Liverpool really need this trophy after going 4yrs since their FA Cup win in 2006. But if Fulham win this event or even make the final then it would really be a fairytale. But should we really be that surprised? They have a top class manager and some very good players.