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text-decoration:none; } img {border:none;} The Sport Review: “Heineken
Cup Preview: French duo eye Euro final” plus 1 moreHeineken Cup Preview: French duo eye Euro final Posted: 30 Apr 2010 12:03 PM PDT In 2006 Leinster pulled off what was possibly their greatest victory in their European history as they went to Toulouse and humiliated the reigning champions in their own back yard. Two rounds later it was Munster who finally overcame their demons by beating Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium to win their first European crown. In the four years since, things have certainly changed. Talismanic captains like Anthony Foley, Thomas Lièvremont and Fabien Pelous have retired, and Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls and Maxime Médard have all brought new life to their teams, but will we see the same outcome as four years ago? First to Saturday where the reigning champions Leinster return to the site of their historic quarter final victory. That day they were cheered off the pitch by both sets of fans after a breathtaking performance. With poor weather expected in Toulouse tomorrow, a repeat seems unlikely. Both teams have strong defences, so a tight encounter would appear to be on the cards. Toulouse have had an inconsistent season, but it is a testament to the richness of their squad that they are still in contention for both the European Cup and the Top 14 title. With a backline containing Yannick Jauzion, Clément Poitrenaud and Vincent Clerc, they have the potential to be devastating. However this season the style for which they are famous has been missing all too regularly. Expect them to try to grind their visitors down with possibly the strongest pack in Europe. Leinster will have to compete up front, and hope that their defence can frustrate a team who have struggled to produce eighty minute performances this season. It is not beyond the Irishmen to pull off another famous away win, but with injury concerns over Sexton, the home side probably go in as slight favourites. On Sunday, Munster will travel to San Sebastián to face a Biarritz side backed by a huge Basque support. Biarritz are not the side they were four years ago when their defeat in the final looked like a setback on the way to European dominance. They have been overtaken domestically, and now seem dangerously reliant on three key players. Unfortunately for them, Damien Traille has already been ruled out with a broken arm, and whilst Dmitri Yachvili will play, Imanol Harinordoquy's broken nose also makes him a doubt. Munster have injury worries of their own with inspirational captain Paul O'Connell and Irish international Dennis Leamy both missing. Still, whilst both players are important to their side, Munster have the strength in depth to cope without them. Biarritz are still capable of big performances at home, but Munster should probably have too much for them. Expected Line-ups: Toulouse: Poitrenaud, Clerc, Fritz, Jauzion, Heymans, Skrela, Kelleher; Human, Servat, Lecouls, Millo-Chluski, Albacete, Bouilhou, Dusautoir(c), Sowerby Leinster: Kearney, Horgan, O'Driscoll, D'Arcy, Nacewa, Berne, Reddan; Healy, Fogarty, Wright, Cullen (c), Hines, McLaughlin, Jennings, Heaslip Biarritz: Balshaw, Ngwenya, Mignardi, Hunt, Bolakoro, Peyrelongue, Yachvili; Barcella, August, Johnstone, Thion, Carizza, Lauret, Faure, Harinordoquy Munster: Warwick, Howlett, Earls, De Villiers, Dowling, O'Gara, O'Leary; Horan, Flannery, Hayes, O'Driscoll, O'Callaghan, Quinlan, Wallace, Coughlan - Connacht, Leinster and Munster eyeing Euro glory - Top 14: Perpignan and Toulon march into the semi finals - Top 14: Toulon move top as Racing seal final play-off spot Hodgson praises Fulham’s ‘tremendous character’ Posted: 30 Apr 2010 09:36 AM PDT English football experienced mixed fortunes last night as Fulham sealed their place in the Europa League final while Liverpool crashed out of the competition. Fulham came from behind to defeat Hamburg 2-1 while the same scoreline at Anfield was insufficient as Rafael Benítez saw his team defeated on away goals. It was an historic night at Craven Cottage and Roy Hodgson paid homage to the efforts of his players who showed tremendous character to battle to victory through adversity. “It was a great performance because it would have been so easy for us to lose our heads after the great goal they scored. I thought we were good value for our victory and the character of this team has been proved time and time again," Hodgson said. A sensational free kick taken by Mladen Petric had edged the Germans ahead in the first half. The Cottagers patiently probed until Simon Davies unlocked the stubborn Hamburg defence with a deft touch and a neat turn matched by a superb finish. Optimism soon transformed into delirium as Zoltán Gera pounced on a loose ball in the penalty box and secured their place in the final. The comeback was breathtaking, the atmosphere electric. A joyful Hodgson remarked, "We’re in the final because we’ve played very, very well throughout and knocked out some very difficult teams, not least Hamburg. It’s been a wonderful journey that I’m really proud of." It is a run which has seen the Premier League club defeat the reigning UEFA Cup champions Shaktar Donetsk, the Italian giants Juventus and defending German champions Wolfsburg. Atlético Madrid are now the only obstacle remaining between them and the Europa League crown. Under the stewardship of Quique Flores, the visiting Spanish side ended Liverpool's hopes of rescuing any resemblance of dignity from this season. Their old nemesis Diego Forlan snatched a dramatic away goal deep into extra time. Alberto Aquilani had earlier scored his first European goal for the Reds in normal time to level the tie on aggregate. When Yossi Benayoun's elegant strike nudged Liverpool ahead 2-1 overall it seemed inevitable Benítez's side would grind out victory and be present in Hamburg on May 12. But Forlan steered home Jose Antonio Reyes' low cross to crush Liverpool's spirits and end all hope of a trophy this season. Flores was in buoyant mood after the match and spoke of the pride that comes with Atlético being Spain's sole representative in a European final this season. “It was an amazing night,” he said. “You can’t come to Anfield without knowing you are going to suffer some difficult moments but we were the stronger side in extra-time and deserved to go through.” - Benítez confident Liverpool will reach Europa final - Fantastic Fulham march on after historic Juventus win - Roy Hodgson’s Fulham continue to impress You are subscribed to email updates from The Sport Review To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. 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