Jol wants friendly attitude

Fulham manager Martin Jol admits he will treat the Europa League opener with NSI Runavik on Thursday like a competitive friendly. The Cottagers qualified for Europe's second-tier club competition via the Fair Play League and take on the Faroe Islands part-timers at home in the first leg.Jol replaced Mark Hughes at the helm this summer and while he says the timing of the tie is not ideal, claims it is no problem."It's not ideal but it's the second or third time Fulham are in Europe through the Fair Play league," he said."We'll treat it like a friendly with a serious touch."Jol added: "I was talking to a friend who said they were from the Falklands Isles. I said 'No, it's even smaller than that'."We have to play eight or nine games in June and July. Usually we play seven or eight pre-season games so it's no problem."NSI are from a town with a population under 4,000, with the return match played on 7 July.If Fulham come through the tie they will face Belfast club Crusaders in the second qualifying round.

Source: Team_Talk