It's a sign of the times that we are now in mid-July, less than three weeks past the World Cup Final, and a club with the pedigree of Fulham are about to play their third competitive game of the 2002-3 season already. Yes, the InterToto Cup is well and truly off and running with the West London side into the third round of the UEFA Cup feeder competition courtesy of a narrow away goals victory over Finnish side Haka.
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| Fulham Manager Jean Tigana
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Next up for Jean Tigana's European fledglings is Greek side Egaleo (or Aigaleo as some spell it!). Unlike Haka, the Greek side do not have the luxury of having started their domestic season as yet, so in this respect the clubs may well be more evenly matched as regards their fitness, however Fulham boss Jean Tigana will be concerned that his players never really performed to their capabilities in either game against the Finns.
Egaleo have never been one of the strongest Greek sides, with Panathinkos, AEK and Olympiakos dominating historically, however they did gain automatic qualification for the third round of the InterToto despite finishing tenth of fourteen clubs last season. The fact that they averaged only slightly over a goal a game and lost over half of their matches last season will lift Fulham.
Outside of their own nation they are a largely unknown quantity, although that's not to say that they aren't capable of springing a surprise or two by any means. Much like Fulham, this is their first foray into European football and it remains to be seen just how they handle the step up in quality and profile.
TEAM NEWS
Fulham should welcome back first choice keeper Edwin van der Sar into the fray after an elbow knock, whilst Rufus Brevett is likely to be unavailable due to a groin problem. The two new signings Inamoto and Djetou are also unlikely to play. Long term car accident victim Chris Coleman is involved in training and it's only a matter of when rather than if he pulls on a Fulham shirt again.
POSSIBLE STARTING XI's
Fulham: Van der Sar; Ouaddou, Melville, Goma, Harley; Legwinski, Davis, Malbranque, Collins; Saha, Marlet
Egaleo: Bikic, Papoutis, Psomas, Antonetti, Meidanis, Fotakis, Skopelitis, Wanga, Chloros, Nikolopolous, Agritis