Some more information on Fulham’s next European opponents – courtesy of my local paper.

Amkar Perm have had a rise up the Russian footballing pyramid even more meteroic than our ascent from the lower leagues. Formed just sixteen years ago, Perm are now firmly established in the Premier League and embarassed some of the bigger sides, finishing ahead of Zenit St. Petersburg, who have a fine recent record in Europe having won the UEFA Cup and beaten Manchester United in last season’s Super Cup, and the two big Moscow sides, in fourth place to clinch their spot in the Europa League.

Coached by an apparently fiery Bulgarian, Dimitar Dimitrov, the one-time works team of a fertilizer plant struggled to adapt to the new manager’s more adventurous tactics earlier in the season and a more pragmatic style has seem them become more difficult to beat of late. Their cosmopolitan side includes three Bulgarians and two Brazilians – and their showing in last weekend’s narrow defeat to CSKA Moscow suggests they’ll be tough to beat.