Tremendous effort by Fulham in extra time defeat. Atletico Madrid win the Final 2 - 1

Fulham gave an incredible effort today. They should be extremely proud of their effort . Unfortunately, Atletico Madrid beat Fulham on a late goal by Diego Forlan in the 116th minute. Atletico Madrid our the Champions of the Europa League.  They win this match 2 - 1. The game was tied at the end of regular time. The game then went into two 15 minute periods of extra time.  This was a great match that in my opinion either side could have won. However, it was Diego Forlan and Atletico Madrid who came away victorious. 

The first half saw plenty play for both sides. Atletico Madrid definitely pushed the pace of the game. They scored the first goal of the match in the 32nd minute. Sergio Aguero assisted on a beautiful goal by Diego Forlan. He made a great run and shot for the goal. It was very close to being offsides. Regardless, it was a great goal.

The one thing I loved about Fulham was their ability to come back after a goal. It didn't take Fulham long to tie the match up. In the 37th minute, Bobby Zamora brings the ball inside the box and the ball eventually ends up to Zoltan Gera.  His cross sets up Simon Davies who played a great match. He strikes the cross from Gera past the goalkeeper. The game is suddenly tied 1 - 1.

 Until the end of the half Fulham were hanging on. Atletico Madrid were putting constant pressure on the Fulham defense. There were several corners back to back late in the half. In the 45th minute, a shot by Sergio Aguero is saved by Schwarzer. The half ended tied 1 - 1.   

Fulham's first great shot on net came in the 60th minute. Simon Davies had a great shot that was saved by the Goalkeeper. In the 67th minute, Damien Duff has a shot that is just wide of the net. Two minutes later, Duff sends in a good cross that Gera cannot quite get to. He barely get his foot on the ball and it goes out of bounds. There is no question Fulham had their time with possession and chances.

In the 88th minute, Fulham had a free kick from a very dangerous area. It was taken by Danny Murphy. Unfortunately his shot gets blocked. Atletico Madrid would definitely have their share of possession as well in the second half. The second half though ends 1 - 1 and we go to two 15 minute periods of extra time.

  Early on in the first period of extra time Fulham had a few set pieces. In the 93rd minute, a corner kick by Simon Davies goes right to the goalkeeper. In the 99th minute a free kick by Davies is blocked by the Atletico Defense.

Atletico Madrid would have better quality scoring chances. In the 101st minute,  a shot by Diego Forlan is saved by Schwarzer. In the 105th minute, a shot by Aguero could not find the net. He was set up by a great pass by Diego Forlan. These two strikers were so dangerous today.

Their hard work paid off in the 116th minute. Sergio Aguero sent a great pass to Diego Forlan who put it past Mark Schwarzer. The game was now 2 - 1. This would be the final score shortly afterwards.

There has to be a winner and a loser. Well, the Champions of the Europa League are Atletico Madrid. They deserved the victory.

However, I am very proud to be fan of Fulham Football Club. They put on a tremendous effort today. This run to get to the Final was unbelievable. No matter what is written about this match all Fulham fans should not hold their heads down.  They should hold their heads high.  The Cottagers had a tremendous run in the Europa League.