Fulham Football Club News

• Nickname:Cottagers
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

• Ground:Craven Cottage
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Euro progress a bonus for Roy

17 Dec 2009 - 08:12:44

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Roy Hodgson has admitted it is a bonus for Fulham to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Wednesday's 3-2 victory over FC Basel in Switzerland - courtesy of two Bobby Zamora goals - confirmed their progress to the last 32 behind AS Roma in Group E.

Hodgson has admitted that the Cottagers had surpassed his own expectations after securing European football after Christmas.

But after reaching that landmark he now wants to see how far the London club can go in continental competition.

"It's not normal for Fulham to be in Europe, having qualified through our League position, so I'm really pleased for them and the players too," said Hodgson.

"I knew that the team I put on the field today would give it their very best shot and they would work very hard and make life difficult for Basel.

"Certainly I'm looking forward to the draw and the next round and seeing who we get and then we'll see how far we go.

"Already we've done more than we perhaps set out to do, so it's been a bonus to get so far and it would be an even bigger bonus in the future."

Meanwhile, Hodgson singled out Zamora for praise after his brace took his tally to four goals in his last three games.

"Bobby Zamora carried on from where he left off in the Premier League," he said.

"The one criticism is he hasn't scored enough goals but nine goals is a pretty good return for any forward."