Gotta love Fulham. Don't know why, it just seems everyone does. I don't think you'll see as much nationwide backing for any team as Fulham will get in the final.
I went to the Cottage earlier in the season to see Notts County get tubbed 4-0, and suddenly it doesn't seem like such a bad result. No shame in going out of the cup to the Europa League finalists/winners.
I'm sorta glad it's Atletico as the opposition. For one, their history is less illustrious than Liverpool and if Fulham end up not winning, at least it's going to a club who haven't won as much.
But the other reason is that I reckon Fulham have a better chance against Atletico than Liverpool. It's because Atletico are so hit and miss this season, more miss than hit.
On the one hand, to get to the final, Atletico have actually only won four matches including the Champions League. Two of those were in the very first qualifying stage against Panathinaikos. The others were at Galatasaray, and the home leg against Liverpool.
But on the other hand, despite their turbulent season, they have still reached the final. They've also reached the Copa Del Rey final, and they're the only club to have defeat Barcelona in La Liga this season thus far.
However all this means nothing. No matter how well or badly teams seem to do in the Europa League, Fulham have found a way to best them all thus far (excluding Roma). It's set to be a cracking game.
As for the Champions League, whod've thought Bayern would reach the final? They've improved quite dramatically over the season. They were 1-0 down at Juventus and on their way out at the group stage, before winning 4-1. Now they're in the final as well as improving domestically. But Inter are the party poopers of the tournament so far, and maybe they'll get some long awaited success.
I laugh at the Manchester United fans that said 'pah, easy route to the final against Barcelona'. Then the final ends up being Bayern vs. Inter.
Incidentally, Bayern Munich, a German team, are playing their European final in Spain, whereas Atletico Madrid, a Spanish team, are playing their European final in Germany. Weird.
This weekend is bound to produce some good stuff domestically in the Premier League. All eyes are on Liverpool. Now that they're out, will they push for fourth to save their season? Or will their moral be shot, allowing Chelsea to win and take the title from their enemies Man Utd?
Also, is anyone counting on Sunderland taking points from Man Utd? They've done it at Old Trafford already, after all...
Biggest three games of the weekend however are taking place in the Championship. Blackpool host Bristol City to attempt to take a remarkable playoff place, with Swansea hosting Doncaster in a bid to stop them. Then you have Sheff Wed vs. Crystal Palace in a real winner takes all game to avoid relegation to League One. It's much like Sheff Utd vs. Wigan in the Premier League a few years back. Tense times for both fans I would imagine.