Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has celebrated his sides win over Bundesliga champions Hamburg SV by claiming it as a 'major piece of history'.
"We made a major piece of history here tonight. The atmosphere is something we will remember for a long time. I'm a little bit drained of emotion. You go through a roller coaster out there but cannot be more delighted than I am with the performance. The time at Fulham has been quite magical for me. I established a rapport with the chairman, who has been very good and given me the backing I needed. Hodgson said to the Guardian newspaper.
Fulham now advance to the Europa league final where they will play Atletico Madrid who advanced after defeating Liverpool in the mornings other match.
"To have reached a Europa League final - and I do not care if you are Fulham or one of the top four - is an outstanding achievement. That will be recognised by everyone," Hodgson told BBC Sport.
Hodgson is already held in high regard among Fulham faithful following his feats bringing the club back from the brink of relegation only 2 seasons ago.
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"I do know the club has had some bad times. It's been a wonderful journey and it's an achievement as a coach I am very proud of. I have been lucky in my career with some lucky moments but the next one is the best one." Hodgson told the Guardian.
It was two goals inside 10 minutes that saw the English side through the tie after trailing early from a Mladen Petric's 30-yard free-kick. However a goal from Welsh midfielder Simon Davies and another from Hungarian Zoltan Gera just 8 minutes later that put the west London side through to their first European final.
The final will be played in Hamburg on May 12.
