Pride in defeat

In the aftermath of Fulham's Europa League final defeat to Atletico Madrid in Hamburg, skysports.com's Alex Dunn pays tribute to Roy Hodgson and his players.

Last updated: 13th May 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Simon Davies Paul Konchesky Fulham

Davies and Konchesky celebrate Fulham's leveller

Fulham Europa League Final Preview

So near, yet so far for Hodgson and his players

Related links

Teams

Also see

It can be difficult not to patronise when talking up the merits of a club that has overachieved but in the case of Fulham there is nothing but genuine admiration for a side whose Europa League adventure ended in heartache but far from disgrace in Hamburg last night.

It was a journey that encompassed 18,000 miles and stretches back 10 months; an epic odyssey that saw the club's players spend their July break not on far-flung beaches but in Lithuania.

An away day at FC Vetra holds all the allure of root canal surgery but their application in securing a 3-0 win that day has served them well in a campaign that has seen Roy Hodgson and his players engrave their names in Fulham folklore.

Few would have predicted from the seed of Lithuania would be born a tale that saw Fulham defy the odds to knockout European heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Hamburg en route to the final.

Diego Forlan's opportunism ensured a comic book story of guts and glory ended in tears of disappointment rather than triumph but while captain Danny Murphy said prior to the game it would all count for nothing in defeat, given time he'll likely reflect back fondly on a cup run that has redefined what is possible when a side's whole is so much greater than the sum of its parts.

Hodgson has proved to be the alchemist par excellence; for while he may not be able to turn base metal into gold, transforming Bobby Zamora into a striker of genuine prowess is a similar achievement. Likewise, the manner in which he has similarly revitalised the careers of Murphy, Simon Davies, Damien Duff and Aaron Hughes is testimony to his man-management finesse.

It's been quite a week for Zamora, whose performance in Hamburg was nothing short of herculean. Barely being able to break out into anything more than a trot, the burly front-man managed the best part of an hour despite grimacing every time the shooting pain of a troubled Achilles flared.

I've never seen a player chest the ball so often and with such economy of possession. Lofted passes were strewn in his direction as he showed all the fluidity of a table football player, but still somehow managed to lead Fulham's line effectively.

His standing ovation was a celebration for not just the bravest of performances on the night, but a season in which he has rightly caught the eye of Fabio Capello.

It was an engrossing, evenly contested final that pitted Atletico's fleet footed South American contingent against Fulham's foot soldiers, disciples of discipline to a man. Hodgson has drilled his side to perfection.

A few in the build-up to the final gently groaned about their manager's obsession with shape, shape, shape but it is a combination of tactics and temperament rather than talent that has taken Fulham so far.

Shape

Advocates of the beautiful game will claim Atletico - underachievers to Fulham's overachievers to such an extent some in Spain claim they are cursed - were deserved winners and while pockets of their football was bewitching, it would do an ill-service to call this a simple victory of flair over pragmatism.

In the early sparring the Cottagers were cautious, nervy even, but as the game progressed their own brand of neat and concise football was equally engaging.

Had Zamora been fully fit and at his bulldozing best my money would have been on Hugh Grant still supping in celebration as I write this column. Indeed, Fulham are so honest and likeable even the sight of Hugh in the crowd being served a pint of larger on a silver tray didn't stick in the throat. Not much, anyway.

Rare it is that a side manages to eschew domestic rivalries to be universally supported on continental sojourns, but only the truly curmudgeon would have begrudged Fulham taking the game to penalties.

A 63-game season saw Fulham's players dead on their feet by that stage, 33-year-old Murphy may not get out of bed for a week, yet only Forlan's speed of thought and movement could separate the two sides.

There will have been a few on the flight back home that will have wished the volcanic ash to swallow them up, so acute was the disappointment, but in Hodgson they have a man who never loses perspective; a manager whose own lack of an ego keeps in check those of his players.

The nomadic manager of the year learnt his craft in the unfashionable enclaves of Scandinavia but is now so in vogue I wouldn't be surprised to see him step out with Kate Moss in the next few weeks. He'll certainly be courted by clubs with a pulling power traditionally greater than Fulham over the summer.

Crossroads

And herein lies the problem. Fulham are at a crossroads and while this year's achievements can never be taken away, Hodgson is canny enough to realise that nothing lasts forever in football. On a tight budget he has assembled a squad that complements one another as well as any other in the league but it is one that needs investment, an injection of youth to keep young the old heads like Mark Schwarzer, Murphy, Davies, Duff and Hughes.

Like the rest of us Mohamed al Fayed can't help but have been moved by the decade's first great football story and now he's shifted Harrods to the tune of a cool billion, he might just fancy one last punt at making the club he loves truly great.

He's been accused of being able to peel an orange in his pocket in recent years as Fulham have shown a certain economy of ambition in their transfer dealings. If he wants to keep Hodgson happy in West London he might have to let him do his shopping at Harrods rather than Asda in the summer.

For now though, with Hodgson insisting he is happy at Craven Cottage, Fulham deserve to bask in the painful glory of the most dignified defeat.

Click Here for Your Free Bet

Comments (19)

  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Ashley Armstrong (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

Ah bitter middlesbrough fans as per usual, they showed the same mentality this year as they did in 06, small town club with a small town mentality. Well done Roy, you deserve everything that comes your way, fantastic manager!

Posted 14:40 15th May 2010

Douglas C says...

Congratulations to both Middlesborough and to Fulham.....both managed to match the achievement of both Rangers and Celtic, both of whom also lost UEFA cup finals in recent years.....neither club barely got a mention but did they give a stuff ?? I think not.

Posted 17:07 14th May 2010

R Vaenerberg (Fulham fan) says...

Yes Gboyega Bamgboye, and they actually managed to win 2 of those European matches on their way to the final. A wonderful system the away goal rule... But as a Fulham fan I have nothing but respect for Atletico. They are a great team and their fans are absolutely top-notch! The atmosphere was incredible in Hamburg and it was so nice to spend time with the Atletico fans. I truly, despite my personal disappointment, feel happy for them and wish to congratulate them on their success! Keep on singing, guys! It is great to see that there actually are some fantastic football fans in Madrid. Prior to this match I had never met Atletico fans, so I am sure you, Gboyega Bamgboye, can understand why I thought it was an impossibility...

Posted 16:12 14th May 2010

Dimitri Kondonis (Fulham fan) says...

Regarding all the sunderland/boro fans who have commented that they had no support in 2006, pretty much everyone i know back then had been going for Boro all the way. And another thing, the reason Fulham have arguably been given more sympathy is because we were more than a match for Atletico, instead of capitulating in the final.

Posted 12:56 14th May 2010

Aaron Fern (Manchester United fan) says...

Yes I'm a Red's fan and I live on the other side of the world in New Zealand but I will always consider Fulham my 2nd team because I lived very close to Craven Cottage for 2 years and went to several matches there. I've watched this European campaign with great interest and the whole family have been cheering on the Cottagers - my son has a replica kit which he wears regularly. Disappointed that they couldn't pull off the victory but there should be immense pride that they got to the final especially with the route they had to take to get there. The first comment from Andrew is total crap - I was in England during Boro's European run in 2006 and I remember a lot of neutrals being on the bandwagon and supporting them. A lot of love for Roy Hodgson for the job he's done - hopefully he'll still be around next season!

Posted 02:36 14th May 2010

Gboyega Bamgboye (Real Madrid fan) says...

Well, I'm sick of hearing the old line: Fulham have played 60-odd games this season, like the hell other teams have played less than half of that. The truth is, they've been riding no their luck and it ran out against a better side, a fit Zamora or not. For the records, Athletico have played 37 games in la liga, 8 in Champions league, 8 in Europa league and maybe 6 in the Copa Del Rey.

Posted 01:09 14th May 2010

Dan Mccalaster says...

to james waker. You are obviously not very knowledgeable in football mate. Fulham played Basel and Roma....who were the 2 best sides borough ever played in 2006. Fulham took down shahktar (the former champs), juventus (italian giants), wolsburg (the 08-08 bundesliga champions), and hamburg (german giants and final hosts). Not to mention Athletico has a far mor etalented squad now than Sevilla did in 06. Both european adventures from fulham and borough were astonishing, but please do not belittle roy hodgson and his squad of triumphing underdogs, as you have no knowledge it seems and Fulham made England proud.

Posted 00:43 14th May 2010

Dave White says...

Andrew, a so called chunderland fan moaning about the supposed lack of support for middlesbrough. YOU MAKE ME SICK

Posted 22:19 13th May 2010

James Boissier (Fulham fan) says...

Just go back to where you belong Boro'. In the CHAMPIONSHIP and leave europe to the clubs that actually matter and are good at football.

Posted 20:51 13th May 2010

Iain Clover (Fulham fan) says...

As a Fulham fan through and through ... for over 30 years ...I was amazed and proud that we made the final ... a journey against the odds ... Last night I wanted us to win ... I am so gutted we didn't ... but so proud of what FFC did for English football last night ... they never cowered ... they gave their all ... Well done Roy Hodgson and Fulham !!!!

Posted 19:34 13th May 2010

Lester Wyatt says...

Shut up you jumped up Northerners, Boro played a load of no mark sides with the exception of Roma, who we also faced, we also started our campaign in July, and played 19 games in the competition which has to be some sort of record. We defied the odds in every game, beating class sides like Shakhtar, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg, 3 Champions League drop outs, aswell as the holders and favourites. We also put up half a fight in the final and didnt lie down and die 4-0, we also juggles an FA Cup quater final and a decnt league finsih with our European run, on a shoe string budget, and not with Steve Gibson throwing around money willy nilly. This run will be remembered for years to come!!!

Posted 18:05 13th May 2010

Tom Cole (Fulham fan) says...

I'm fed up with this bitter attitude from the north. 'Boro got plenty of support during their run in Europe, I watched every game and cheered every goal. I would even have described them as my 2nd club until their fans started whinging because the whole country wasn't wearing red and holidaying in Middlesbrough. The fact is Fulham have done us fans incredibly proud, and the players should hold their heads up high after a long and remarkable campaign. I've seen this club go from being almost relegated to non-league, to a European Final in my relatively short life-time (24 years). The fans in Hamburg were incredible, the noise was deafening, and made my heart swell with pride. At Fulham success is nice, and it does matter, but not as much as the togetherness of the fans and the values of the club. We're not just a club, we're a family, and I think the outside world finally realise that after 131 years.

Posted 17:39 13th May 2010

Vincent Vaiano (Fulham fan) says...

It is disappointing to see those that are still bitter over a perceived lack of support for Middlesborough a full 4 yeras ago. I supported Borough then and I supported Fullham now. Supporting English football is above personal or local rivalries, but pulling together for one cause. That is what Roy H is so good at - pulling his team together for a common cause; and perhaps if Steve McC was as good at that as Roy, he would have succeeded for the England squad. However, plaudits to him as well for having apparently learned his lessons at Twente. There is plenty of praise to go round.

Posted 15:24 13th May 2010

Darragh Flynn says...

Oh please, the teams Boro played in 2006 were nothing of the measure of Juventus, Hamburg, Wolfsburg(German Champs), Shaktar(Cup Holders) etc. Their group was also much easier. Stop being bitter and concentrate of getting back into the Premier League, the glory days of McClaren have long gone.

Posted 15:07 13th May 2010

Barry Bonds (Arsenal fan) says...

Thats not fair to say, i remember when mclaren took boro to those finals there was nothing but praise for him in my local pubs and news, i remeber seeing a sky sports saturday saying he should be nxt england boss, now he did a poor job but they where prasing him before hand

Posted 14:45 13th May 2010

James Waker says...

I Totaly 100% agree with Andrew from Sunderland I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday as I read about all the good luck wishes being sent out to Fulham and Roy Hodgson. No one bothered when my club Middlesbrough got to the final in 2006, and got there in better fashion beating better opponents then Fulham might I add.

Posted 14:36 13th May 2010

Edmond Visha says...

the reason i wanted Fulham to win was Roy Hodgson. great menager,but above all a great man,and for me one of the finest managers this country has produced! no wonder he's well respected all over Europe,especially in the countries he's worked.second only to Sir Bobby in my view,i salute you!

Posted 14:35 13th May 2010

Simon Royston (Bristol City fan) says...

Shut up Andrew. You smell.

Posted 14:19 13th May 2010

Andrew Bengston (Sunderland fan) says...

That's right; praise for Woy and his London based team. Where were the plaudits for Mclaren and Middlesbrough when they made the finals, twice coming back from 3 goals down in the quarters and the semis? Nowhere, that's where. Just because Fulham are a London based club they get the recognition while us poor, Northern minnows have to keep it amongst ourselves lest we upset the established order. You make me sick.

Posted 13:44 13th May 2010
  • Page 1 of 1
  • 1

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private