Making History (Part Two)

Tonight they have the opportunity to make more history on the pitch by winning the inaugural Europa League final in Hamburg against Atlético de Madrid. So how important was it for Fulham’s players to make their own history – win the first major tournament in the club’s long history? “Yeah important,” said Hungarian international Zoltán Gera, whose goal against Hamburg sent Fulham to Germany for tonight’s final. “We are in the final. We want to win. We will see what happens.”

It meant a lot to Nigerian international midfielder Dickson Etuhu as well. “That’s the best night,” he said. “We were talking to Danny Murphy and a few others who have done it before. We enjoyed it.” So has the historic run set him up for the World Cup as well?

“Definitely,” he said. “Get myself in the right form and now I’m just going to focus on playing strong for Fulham, take advantage until the World Cup games.” I'm just happy playing every day, to keep my fitness up and hopefully peak at the right time for the World Cup.”

But the World Cup is not his main focus. “I don’t think about that,” he said. “The final's a one off game. We just have to go out there and work hard and see what happens.”

A Ghanaian Perspective:

Ghanaian defender John Pantsil suffered a bad injury that kept him out for over three months. He feared tat he might miss out on Fulham’s march to history. He recovered in time to play a part in it. “I was so worried,” said Pantsil. “I thought I was going to go out after missing the Nations Cup and also the World Cup, so I’m so happy that I’m here at the moment.”

Pantsil was delighted to be playing again and helping his team. “Now I’m happy that I’m back to my team,” he said. “All the players have done well. I was so happy to come back and play together and reach the final. It’s always good to be back. It’s every player’s dream to play in the World Cup. I played once and it was nice. To win the title and go to the World Cup and do well would be great.”

What did reaching the Europa League final mean to him? “It is the best moment in my career,” Pantsil told us. “I’m happy that I’ve come out to play at the right time. From now I need to hit it hard again, so that I can get my level right. I think it is very good for me. I think in the World Cup I’ll be looking more sharper.”

So now to the crucial issue – if he was forced to choose between Fulham winning the Europa League final, or Ghana performing well in South Africa, which would be more important to him? “Both – I’ll be glad,” Pantsil said with his usual smile.

The Europa League final is clearly important to Fulham’s players in making their history for the club. Mr Fulham – Johnny Haynes would have been proud.