Europa League semi finals

Hamburger SV 0 Fulham 0, HSH Nordbank Arena, Thursday
Second-leg to be played at Craven Cottage next Thursday
After a long journey to Germany's north-west, Fulham parked the bus and defended well, with Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer keeping Hamburg at bay in a goalless draw which offers the Londoners more than a glimmer of hope.

HSV will be disappointed by not taking an advantage in the tie, with Piotr Trochowski going close, but a goalless draw does leave every wide open and goals in London next Thursday will be precious.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson acknowledged that point when he said: "We are at half-time, and we have to play another 90 minute half. There is a lot of football to be played and Hamburg are a very good team. If they score a goal next week the advantage passes to them. The tie is open but I am delighted about that because it is very easy to put yourself out of contention."

Hamburg trainer Bruno Labbadia commented: "As expected this was a very difficult game and as expected they played very defensively. I was a little bit surprised they stayed back so much. All in all the game's in the balance and we can still achieve what we set out to do."

The Cottagers, who offered little in front of goal, will need to attack more at home to get through, while Hamburg know if they score they'll cease the advantage. This is another curiously balanced tie.
Sports Pundit prediction; Hamburg SV to progress

Atletico Madrid 1 Liverpool 0, Vicente Calderon, Thursday
Second-leg to be played at Anfield next Thursday

Diego Forlan's scuffed ninth-minute effort proved decisive as Liverpool long journey to Spain proved fruitless. But Yossi Benayoun appeared hard done by when he was called offside when he netted not long after, although Atletico should've added to their advantage in a strong second-half.

Liverpool stopper did brilliantly to deny Simao Sabrosa from close-range after the break, while he later palmed away Tomas Ujfalusi's long-range effort with Jamie Carragher scrambling away the rebound when Atletico were set to pounce. The Reds will thank those efforts for giving them hope and their exemplary semi-finals record suggests there's every reason to be optimistic.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez said: "I have a lot of confidence of playing at Anfield, in our players and in our fans. [Today] It could have been better, it could have been worse and everything will be decided at Anfield where we will go out to fight and have all our supporters behind us."

Atletico manager Quique Sanchez Flores commented: A second goal would have completed the match but we can't complain. One-nil is a good result, the dressing room is optimistic but we know the game will be decided in the second leg. We need to play a good second leg as Liverpool will come out strongly."

Both sides have had disappointing domestic campaigns and the success of NFL jerseys their respective seasons depends on this second-leg. It's sure to be an all-out beauty.