The Cottagers managed a 2-1 win over Hamburg last night, despite going a goal down.
“After going a goal down against the run of play I think we made a major piece of history here in a very special atmosphere,” Hodgson said.
“I think lots of teams would have lost their discipline and shape, but we stayed strong.”
Fulham face Atletico Madrid in the final of the Europa League on 12 May.
“To have reached a Europa League final – and I do not care if you are Fulham or one of the top four – is an outstanding achievement. That will be recognised by everyone,” said Hodgson.
“Football is an emotional game, so in a semi-final the players could be excused for losing their heads or discipline but they did not do it tonight. “It was a great performance because it would have been so easy for us to lose our heads after the great goal they scored.
“I thought we were good value for our victory and the character of this team has been proved time and time again.
“It’s been an amazingly long season yet watching the players run around in the second half it didn’t look as though we’d played 59 games this season.
“We’re in the final because we’ve played very, very well throughout and knocked out some very difficult teams, not least Hamburg. It’s been a wonderful journey that I’m really proud of.”
