Watch Europa League Highlights of Fulham v Hamburg on 29.04.2010

Fulham returned to Craven Cottage with just 90 minutes between them and the Europa League Final having secured a credible and vital goalless draw at Hamburg in arguably the biggest game in the club’s history at their old ground.

However they gave themselves a hill to climb when Hamburg grabbed the opener and a crucial away goal as they bid to put themselves into the final which is to be played at their own ground. The visitors were awarded a free kick almost 30-yards out and Petric stepped up to strike a sublime shot into the top corner giving Schwarzer no chance.

Fulham though were not done but could not seem to find their way past the Germans, with England call-up hopeful Bobby Zamora struggling with a pre-existing niggle. He was replaced by American Clint Dempsey with more than half an hour remaining.

Damien Duff went close just over the hour mark from a Paul Konchesky free-kick given for a horrendous lunge by Ze Roberto however he dragged his shot agonisingly across the face of goal.

But they eventually did get a goal back through Welshman Simon Davies’ cultured finish after being played through by Danny Murphy, Davies sustaining an injury in the process but sending The Cottage crazy.

Hamburg nearly silenced the crowd a minute afterwards but Jonathan Pitroipa could only stab his shot wide after disposessing John Pantsil.

Just minutes later though the home faithful were sent through the roof when Zoltan Gera stroked home on the turn from a Davies corner giving Fulham a taste of the final with just 13 minutes remaining.

And despite Hamburg’s desperation to get a goal back, even seeing goalkeeper Frank Rost acting in a midfield role and seeing a booking for a foul on Gera as Fulham countered time and again, the Germans were not able to break down Fulham who hung on to reach their first ever European final in scenes of joy at The Cottage.

Jon Osterland