Although Fulham's remarkable European adventure ended at the final hurdle in Hamburg on Wednesday evening, Cup final goal scorer Simon Davies cast aside his disappointment and reflected on a season of outstanding achievements for the Whites.
"The nights we've had at Craven Cottage, it doesn't get much better for a club like ours. We've loved every minute of it," explained the Welsh midfielder.
With the Whites only a matter of minutes away from a tense penalty shoot-out, Atletico Madrid landed the killer blow when Diego Forlan diverted the ball, via a deflection, past Mark Schwarzer.
"I think they [Atletico] would have taken penalties because the game was dying away really," said Davies as he looked back on the match. "But they broke away down the left and scored a last-minute winner. It's the worst way to lose."
The Team's transformation from relegation candidates to European finalists, masterminded by Roy Hodgson, has truly been one of football's great success stories in recent years and Davies was eager to add his voice to the choruses of praise for Fulham's Manager.
"He's got all the experience to say the right things at the right time and his coaching ability there for everyone to see," Davies said. "He's got us organised and getting to an occasion like this is remarkable. We try and play the same way, whether it's a friendly against Stevenage or a final, we just keep doing what we work on and trust that you'll get your rewards if you do it right.
"I've loved working under him, he wants to play the game the right way, he's got players who all believe that and it's been a great journey this year.
"I'm sure once we come back for pre-season we'll look back on what we've achieved as a team. Finishing seventh last season, getting to a final this season - we want to keep building and it's a great time for the Club."