John Paintsil's quest of getting into the right shape for Ghana's World Cup campaign took another positive turn as he helped Fulham reach a first European final.

The London side on Thursday defeated Hamburg 2-1 in the second leg match at Craven Cottage to set up a final meeting with Atlético Madrid in the Europa League.

Paintsil, who was out for four months with a knee injury has returned to play a crucial role in Fulham's close season games after playing his second game for Fulham since his making return last Sunday.

The Ghanaian full-back lasted for 75 minutes before been taken off and is now in line for a place in the finals on May 12.

Paintsil now becomes the second Ghanaian player who vie in a major European final this season after Sulley Muntari’s Inter Milan reached the Champions League final.