Call it “uncompromising Thursday” and you will not be far from right! The stage is set, and the battle-lines drawn in the two pairings of the Europa League semi-final: Liverpool welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield, while Hamburg trek to face unyielding Fulham in Craven Cottage! Madrid’s march to Anfield is buoyed by a lone goal leg-up when they held their own at home to put one behind the Reds; they are determined to upset the form guide and stop Liverpool in their tracks; in fact they stand in the way of Liverpool’s only chance for a silverware this season. Rain check: Liverpool have never lost at home in the semi-final of an European campaign: seven wins, one draw, a scary statistic for Madrid to contend with. As the story unfolds Liverpool hope to rely on history, home advantage and a huge dose of confidence in a sea of vociferous Red fans, coupled with a pinch of luck to subdue Madrid; but Atletico Madrid know its history in the making if they outwit Liverpool! For Fulham, surviving the first leg a week ago in Hamburg with a clean sheet in a barren draw sets them slightly ahead of the visitors, if the pundits will have their way at Craven Cottage. This time round, the score sheet must yield in favour of one or the other; there is no escape with another draw! As Liverpool, Atletico Madrid, Fulham and Hamburg do battle on Thursday on Multi TV, each is acutely aware that failure means a lost chance to play for glory in Hamburg come 15th May, and a definite certainty of ending the season empty-handed. Another twist: Hamburg also runs the risk of imploding, following the controversial sacking of their coach, Bruno Labbadia over the weekend. Hamburg have won the Champions League once in 1982-83 and were runners up in the 1982 UEFA Cup competition. Hamburg will travel to Craven Cottage confident of over-coming Fulham since they have had to play the second legs against PSV Eindhoven, RSC Anderlecht and R. Standard de Liege away from home, coming out on top each time. Hamburg will need strong performances from Captain Joris Mathijsen and Ruud Van Nistelrooy to overcome the Londoners. Hamburg’s opponents Fulham FC are enjoying undoubtedly, their greatest season ever. They lie 12th in the Premier league table, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and are one match away from their first-ever European final. Fulham have never lost at home in European competition and have overcome defending champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and current German Champions Wolfsburg enroute to the semi’s. Fulham’s stirring progress is owed to the sparkling form of striker Bobby Zamora and the tactical genius of manager Roy Hodgson. Fulham possess an excellent team ethic and will be slight favourites to make the final. The flipside is between two extremely successful European giants. Atletico Madrid have won both La Liga and the Copa Del Rey nine times. They also won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1962 and the Intercontinental Cup in 1975. Atletico Madrid have a supremely talented squad which boasts the likes of Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan, Simao, Maxi Rodriguez and goalkeeper Gregory Coupet. Atletico have performed poorly in La Liga this term but have found respite in cup competitions. They face Sevilla in the Copa Del Ray final on 13th May, 2010 and look a good bet to make the Europa league final. Atletico will defend a 1-0 lead at Anfield on Thursday. Liverpool have fallen from grace considerably since reaching the Champion’s league final three years ago. The Reds have failed to land any silverware since winning the 2006 FA Cup and find themselves in the fight of their lives to qualify for the last Champions League slot in the EPL. Liverpool found themselves in the Europa league after finishing third in their Champions’ league group. The Reds have performed creditably in the competition, easily brushing aside Unirea Uriceni, Lille and Benfica on their way to the semi’s. Liverpool’s European record is a well-known lore. Liverpool hammered Burnley in the EPL 4-0 without the injured Torres in their team, a feat that will greatly boost their confidence ahead of their clash with Atletico Madrid. Liverpool, in the worst case scenario, may even need to win the competition to secure European football for next season. The stage is then set for these four teams to commence friendly hostilities in pursuit of what is now their Holy Grail. Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid kicks off at 7:05pm on Adom TV and Joy Sports, exclusively on Multi-TV, which promises and delivers more TV for free! Written by Joseph K.B. Hanson Multi-TV Sports Department