When Underdogs Fulham Nearly Won The Europa League

Roy Hodgson’s Fulham had just survived relegation from the Premier League by goal difference. Two season’s later they were 4 minutes away from winning the Europa League.

This is the story of how Roy Hodgson assembled a team of experienced and responsible players, defied the odds by beating some of Europe’s giants, and fell at the very last hurdle in extra-time to Atletico Madrid.

Written by Seb Stafford-Bloor. Illustrated by Craig Silcock.

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#Fulham #EuropaLeague #UEL

[LFC]

Not even a Fulham fan but I remember that Dempsey chip against Juve like it was yesterday. Insane goal.

[toonistiny]

This is why I support Fulham. I don't wanna see a club rack up as many trophies as it can, I wanna see a club trying its absolute hardest to stay up in the top flight. Underdog stories like Fulham's give the fans more excitement when they reach a major competition final like this. There's just way more enthusiasm among the Fulham fans than say, if Man United reached the Europa League final, because they're won countless EPL titles before and a good fee Champions League titles.

Underdog stories are just more fun and exciting to watch. And knowing that Hodgson managed to lead Fulham into relative success in the European side of things, I am curioud how he'll do at Crystal Palace.

[BopftAndCaptain]

Nobody has broken my heart quite like Diego Forlan did.

[uriustosh]

On their path they played in Vilnius against FK Vėtra. That club was a raucous underdog club of the people which disbanded and disappeared in the middle of the next season 2010! You should do a video about them. They are legendary to this day in Vilnius. To Vėtra fans, that Fulham tie was like a Champions League final.

[aidygooner]

This reminds me of Middlesbrough's run to the UEFA Cup final when they came back from 3-0 down in consecutive knockout rounds against Basel and Steaua Bucharest to win them both incredibly. 😮👏🏾👏🏾

[aelioss]

Zoltán Gera was by far the best Hungarian footballer of his era, the “Magic Magyar” nickname was deserved by any means. That EL run was a big deal for a whole country underrepresented for years in the big fields.

[Bucbucbang]

As someone who only started following this beautiful game like 4-5 years ago this just seems unbelievable. To think Forlan, aguero and de gea almost gave one away to an overmatched Fulham side is baffling. I love this game. Thank you tifo

[ImTheMousse]

I was at the cottage for all of the home games in this run. That Dempsey goal remains unrivalled as the most euphoric football moment i’ve ever witnessed, and I think it always will. Just pure football bliss

[andresgirardo]

Two things I remember from that Fulham side: Hangeland was a towering monster at the back and Gera almost became a club legend with his rampant style and run of form then.

[FootballDrawn]

I still remember that season, with the ultimate GOAT of Championship Manager 2002, Bobby Zamora in it. Love these throwbacks to the older stories. Kinda makes me feel old. Brilliant video from Tifo, as always. ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽

[bdvl]

Gera was one of the most underrated players of his time. A true legend.

[stevendchu]

You know even after his Liverpool and England debacles, I still think Roy the owl Hodgson isn't a terrible manager. His time at Fulham is a perfect example of that. He just should've never been given jobs where his teams are expected to play attacking, expansive football.
You could tell by 2016 that he had no clue what to do with all the options he had in Kane, Vardy, prime Sturridge and Welbeck, Rooney, Sterling, Alli, etc. Man was trying out new systems even during the group stages. That's how we ended up with.... Harry Kane on corners and a clearly over the hill Rooney as CM.

Be interesting if he can salvage the dumpster fire that is Watford.

[paullempges]

That Semifinal still hurts as a HSV supporter. We had a decent chance of a European title that year, and it would end up being one of our last true shots at a title in general. But that Fulham squad was really interesting

[boroben]

Should do one on the Mighty Boro, only a few seasons before Fulham got to the final, Middlesbrough reached the final and got battered 4-0 by a strong Sevilla team.
Sevilla’s first European trophy - going on to win how many Europa Leagues since? Crazy. Oh what could have been at Middlesbrough if we won that night in Eindhoven.
Would be a story well told by you if you decided to do this.

[grid]

Very nice. Wba fan here. Loved Gera. Getting the ever increasing feeling that Hodgson run with my club will be the time of my life. Pleased for Fulham they got to share and partially exceed in some of that. Such an underrated and unappreciated manager.

[EseAgboaye]

I like stories of small English clubs going on such European adventures. Middlesbrough in 2005/06 comes to mind.

[AttilatheMike]

Gah this still hurts to remember…a glorious run beating giants all around only to be undone in the 118th min by Forlan. Still to even go to a European Final with Fulham was a dream come true.

[BBBYFLSH]

the fact uncle roy took them from staying up by the skin of their teeth, to europa league in a few seasons is amazing

[jageiosjgaeiojg]

Absolutely loved Zoltan at the Albion, especially during the first spell. Brilliant in the air for a winger

[stevencrawford]

It was such a special time to be a Fulham fan. I count myself lucky to have been part of that wonderful European Tour! COYW! Up the Fulham!