Forlan strike is bitter blow for Fulham’s Hodgson

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admitted his side had suffered a “bitter blow” after Diego Forlan’s extra-time goal gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win in the inaugural Europa League final.

This was the second time Hodgson had tasted defeat in a European final, having been on the losing side when Inter Milan lost the 1997 UEFA Cup final.

Forlan broke Fulham’s hearts with two goals in the final here, opening the scoring in the first half and then slipping his marker in the 116th minute to slide his shot past goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and send the title to Madrid.

“The player are obviously very disappointed, but we put in a valiant performance,” said Hodgson.

“It was a bitter blow to concede such a late goal. I thought the game was heading to penalties, we were looking good despite the tiredness and holding our shape.

“Forlan scored a typical goal-scorer’s goal and we simply didn’t have enough time to recover, but I am tremendously proud of what those players have achieved.”

Despite the disappointment at the Hamburg Arena, it has been a remarkable achievement for Fulham to reach their first ever European final, after accounting for Juventus, UEFA Cup holders Shakhtar Donetsk, Hamburg and Wolfsburg on the way.

Having coached Fulham since December 2007, Hodgson received the League Managers Association (LMA) award last Monday night as recognition for his efforts in what has been a remarkable season.

His coaching career has spanned eight countries and began with Halmstad whom Hodgson guided to their first ever Swedish league final back in 1976.

Fulham turned to the 62-year-old when threatened with relegation in 2007-08 and were rewarded with unprecedented success.

They secured their safety and the following season the Cottagers finished seventh in the Premier League, their highest ever finish, to qualify for the Europa League.

Having finished 12th in the Premier League, despite last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at Arsenal, Hodgson’s side have grown during their European run in a competition they were not even thinking of winning at the start of the season.

“Our dressing room is a very disappointed place at the moment and I expect it will take the players a few days to get over this,” said Hodgson.

“But I have told them they can be proud of what they have achieved this season, even if that is scant consolation right now.

“I would never have imagined that we would be here at the final, but that doesn’t help ease the tremendous disappointment we are feeling.”