The biggest match in Fulham's history commences at 3:05 EDT on Thursday, April 29, as Hamburg visit Craven Cottage for the 2nd leg of the Europa League semifinals. The 1st leg in Hamburg ended in a 0-0 draw. It's uncertain whether Clint Dempsey will start tomorrow as of right now. He could end up replacing the still injured Bobby "that man" Zamora at forward if he can't go tomorrow. Dempsey could also be played at left midfield to replace Davies if Davies is shifted to the backline to replace the suspended Chris Baird. Lineups should be released by about 1:45 EDT on the UEFA website. And here's two Fulham-related videos to get the thread started. Fulham as it used to be, escaping relegation by the skin of its teeth: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljwn5X8_09Q"]YouTube- Fulham FC - The Great Escape 2007/2008[/ame] Fulham as it is now, bossing around European powers: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ILYWOAMX0&feature=related"]YouTube- Dempsey's goal vs Juventus[/ame]
One thing I forgot to add. Sadly Fulham-Hamburg is not on TV in the US, as GOLTV is airing Liverpool-Atletico Madrid instead at 3:05.
The match a few years ago where Fulham staved off relegation by beating Liverpool in their final match of the season was their biggest match I can remember in recent memory - and bigger than this by quite a distance IMO. That goal is also Dempsey's biggest to date as well I think. Including his WC goal. If he scores a goal that gets us into the QFs of the WC, I think that would be comennsurate.
I think Away vs. Portsmouth during the great escape was the biggest match they've had in recent history, where they secured their place in the premiership on goal differential on the last match of the season.
This is also a big game because if Hamburg gets at least a draw, then Germany will overtake Italy for third place in the UEFA coefficients. Germany only needs one more point between Hamburg and Bayern to do that. They will then have a 4th champions league spot starting in 2011-12. So the perfect scenario IMO is a 0-0 draw after 120 minutes, followed by Fulham advancing on penalties.
HA HA HA HA HA I remember that episode, the addicted to speed episode!!!!! Gosh Elizabeth Berkley... terrible actress! Anyways... get em Duece... BRACE for Dempsey!!!!!!
Does that help Yanks in any way (other than potential UEFA spots for MB, RC, etc.), or do you just hate Italians?
One last pre-game video, this time from the Fulham site: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/DayofDestiny.aspx
No, the perfect scenario is for the match to end after 90 minutes so I can go pick up my kiddo on time. No one gives a shit about the 4th CL team. However, picking up my kiddo on time is important. It's $3 a minute if I'm late.
Agreed. The Portsmouth match was quite a bit bigger than the Liverpool one. Portsmouth was do or die. The Liverpool match was the penultimate match of the season (although Fulham went on to lose the final match against 'boro, if I remember correctly).
Considering the success the team has had in Europe without him in the starting lineup, I wouldn't be surprised if he starts on the bench tonight.
Of course. I'll personally be a little disappointed if he doesn't start because (1) I like watching him play and (2) think he's one of the 3 or 4 best players on the Fulham squad. But, you can't blame a manager for not wanting to change a winning formula.
Depends on which injury you're referring to. After his longer layoff, he spent his first few matches back mostly coming off the bench before working his way back into the starting lineup. Then after starting three matches in a row, he was injured again by Titus Bramble against Wigan. He came off the bench in his first match back from that injury but then started the 2nd with Fulham fielding an extremely weakened side. Which brings us to now. So it's hard to tell whether he's earned his spot back in the starting lineup.
Exactly. I have no idea what Roy is going to do with Clint today. It's not clear to me whether he started this past weekend because Roy wasn't planning on starting him today or because Roy wanted to see if he was fit to go 90 today. If I had to guess, I bet he starts on the bench.