Europa League review – Thurs 7th July

Fulham moved into the second qualifying round of the Europa League after a 0-0 draw with NSI Runavik.

Martin Jol's side will face the Crusaders of Northern Ireland next Thursday after completing a 3-0 aggregate victory over the battling Faroese minnows.Fulham were held to a frustrating goalless draw by the Faroe Island part-timers in their second leg - but still progressed.Damien Duff hit the crossbar after five minutes and then sliced a shot over from six yards out as Fulham peppered the NSI goal but they could not find a breakthrough.It was the hosts who created the only clear-cut chance of the second half when Klaemint Olsen shot wide from inside the box.While most Barclays Premier League clubs have only just returned to pre-season training, Fulham were in competitive action for the second time. The first leg was played on 30th June.The 2010 runners-up qualified via the Fair Play league and still have 21 matches to negotiate if they are to reach the Europa final again.Belfast will be Fulham's next port of call and their progress was never in doubt following their 3-0 first leg win at Craven Cottage.Jol made four changes but was still able to send out another strong starting line-up.Defenders Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird, the only two squad members to have played in the Faroe Islands before, did not travel and were replaced by Stephen Kelly and Philippe Senderos.Jonathan Greening took over from Simon Davies on the left flank and Steve Sidwell replaced Danny Murphy in central midfield and Fulham were in control from the outset.Bobby Zamora headed an early chance over the top before Duff, one of the first leg goal-scorers, struck the bar from 25 yards with a left-foot drive after cutting in from the right wing.