It's been a rollercoaster ride, but Fulham take on Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final in the biggest night in the club's history.
Zamora struggling to make Cottagers' final challenge
It's been a dramatic rollercoaster ride, but Fulham take on Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final at the HSH Nordbank Arena in Hamburg in arguably the biggest night in the Cottagers' 131-year history.
Fulham have defied the odds so many times to reach this stage, overcoming more decorated opponents such as Italian giants Juventus, previous holders Shakhtar Donetsk and denying Hamburg the chance to play the final in their own stadium after beating them in the semi-final.
Manager Roy Hodgson took home the LMA Manager of the Year award on Sunday, a magnificent achievement for a man who took over midway through the 2007/08 season when Fulham were struggling at the foot of the Premier League, needing a last day victory to keep them in the top flight.
If they can beat their more experienced opponents Atletico, it would complete a stunning run in Europe that started at the end of July last year with a 3-0 victory over Lithuanian minnows FK Vetra.
Atletico will be no pushovers, however, having conquered Liverpool in the semi-finals to reach this stage and, boasting talents like Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero and Jose Antonio Reyes, they are enjoying something of a cup renaissance under manager Quique Sanchez Flores.
The Rojiblancos have not won a major trophy since winning the league and cup double in 1996, and have not succeeded in Europe since securing the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962.
Their long suffering fans have had to live in the shadow of illustrious rivals Real Madrid, who have won trophy after trophy domestically and in Europe, and the Atletico faithful will be desperate to have something to rub in their big spending rivals' faces should Real not steal the Primera Liga title from Barcelona.
Zamora problem
Worryingly for the Cottagers, key striker Bobby Zamora failed to train in their previous session in Germany.
The 29-year-old, who was left out of England's 30-man provisional World Cup selection by Fabio Capello, was thought to be recovering well after training on Tuesday but he faces a race against time to be fit with a niggling Achilles problem despite Hodgson still being hopeful he can play a part.
Damien Duff has returned to training however after recovering from a leg injury, and should be able to play a part in the match, alongside Paul Konchesky (ankle), Brede Hangeland (knee) and Aaron Hughes (groin) who all trained on Tuesday evening.
John Pantsil (muscle strain) and Bjorn Helge Riise (stomach cramps) have also appeared to have made a recovery from their respective injuries.
Atletico are fortunate enough to have no major fitness worries ahead of the showpiece, after Flores rested seven of his first-team players in their 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijon.
Second-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is their only absentee after the 20-year-old tore ligaments in his knee during the Gijon match and will be out for six months.
It is anticipated that Flores will bring back Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan, Raul Garcia, Simao, Paulo Assuncao, Luis Perea and David de Gea into the starting line-up.
