Schwarzer braced for tough Hamburg test

21 April 2010 21:43
Mark Schwarzer admits Fulham will find it hard to beat Hamburg on Thursday after making a 27-hour journey for their Europa League semi-final.[LNB] The Cottagers arrived in Hamburg at 4pm on Wednesday afternoon for the first leg after an arduous coach trip which began at their training ground in Surrey yesterday afternoon.[LNB]After abandoning their planned flight aboard a private jet due to the volcanic ash cloud, the squad crossed the channel aboard two luxury coaches on the Euro tunnel before driving to the German city of Munster, where they spent last night.[LNB]They were then left at a standstill for three hours as they attempted to drive to Hamburg thanks to a lorry crash on the motorway they were travelling on.[LNB]The squad finally arrived at their hotel before heading to take part in a training session at the Hamburg Arena, where they will begin their bid to make their first European final tomorrow.[LNB]The squad took breaks throughout their trip in a bid to keep fit ahead of the game, which is arguably the biggest in their 141-year history.[LNB]Schwarzer says spending 17 hours on the road has brought the team closer together, but admits the long journey has left the team facing an struggle tomorrow.[LNB]"We're fighting an uphill battle, really, with the trip that we've made so it's going to be really tough for us, but we'll try and do what we can," said Schwarzer, who made the UEFA Cup final with Middlesbrough in 2006.[LNB]"Hamburg are expected to get to the final now. They are the favourites to get through, even more so with the circumstances that have come about.[LNB]"The atmosphere on the journey has been very good though. We have a very good relationship anyway in the team.[LNB]"A really long trip can either pull the team part or to the contrary and I'd say it's pulled us all together."[LNB]Roy Hodgson said following Saturday's draw with Wolves that it would be unfair if UEFA forced his side to travel by land to the ground - and he concedes the journey has left his side at a disadvantage.[LNB]"The plan was to arrive here at 1.30pm to have lunch and that would have given us all afternoon for the physio to work with the players," Hodgson said.[LNB]"Because of the delay, they didn't get to look at them until 5pm, which is further disadvantage, but that I hope won't hamper us."[LNB]"It will be a little bit harder for us. It is not ideal preparation for an important game. Now we've got the night here and we can relax and rest.[LNB]"We're going to be playing top class opposition and an away game in Hamburg is always going to be hard."[LNB]Fulham have been the surprise package of the competition so far, having overcome the likes of Juventus, UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk and Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg to reach the last four.[LNB]None of the players who boarded the coaches picked up any problems on the journey, including Clint Dempsey, who could start after missing the last three games with a thigh injury.[LNB]If the Londoners beat Hamburg they will return to the Hamburg Arena to take on either Liverpool or Atletico Madrid next month.[LNB]Hodgson is aware that Hamburg, who include former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy among their ranks, will be desperate to beat Fulham to set up a final in their own stadium.[LNB]"We're aware that Hamburg will be extremely motivated for these two matches because the final will be played on home ground in front of their home fans," the 62-year-old added.[LNB]"That's something the draw has thrown up for us to deal with though."

Source: Team_Talk