Fulham vs HSV not in jeopardy despite volcanic eruption

The English Europa League side Fulham, from London, can mentally prepare for next Sunday’s semi-final against Hamburger SV despite disruption to European air traffic. UEFA announced that both first legs of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals will go ahead as scheduled despite restrictions on air traffic within Europe.

Football cannot be stopped by the volcano in Iceland

UEFA announced its decision at a press conference yesterday: the semi-final between Hamburger SV and London club Fulham, as well as the other semi-final between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, will be able to take place as planned on Thursday. As recently as last Monday, however, nothing was moving at the airports in London or at Hamburg Airport: more than 63,000 flights across Europe have had to be cancelled since last Thursday following the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has now clearly confirmed that the two semi-finals can kick off next Thursday at 21:05. Hamburger SV’s match against Fulham FC will be broadcast live on German television by Sat.1 and Sky.

Petric will miss the match against Fulham

HSV coach will be unable to call on striker Mladen Petric for the important match against the London side. The Croatian international sustained a muscle tear in his adductor area during training. As a result, Mladen Petric will miss this Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Premier League club Fulham FC. His participation in the second leg in London is also highly doubtful at present and will depend on Hamburger SV’s medical department.