Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham LIVE! Europa Conference League final result, match stream, latest reaction and updates

Fiorentina vs West Ham - LIVE!

West Ham ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy as Jarrod Bowen gave them a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. A tense first-half came and went without much in the way of clear-cut chances, Luka Jovic’s disallowed finish just before the break as close as either side came to edging in front on the big stage in Prague.

In a European final for the first time in 47 years, West Ham edged in front as Said Benrahma held his nerve with a brilliant penalty with half an hour remaining, but it was lead they held for just a few minutes before Giacomo Bonaventura fired Fiorentina level again.

Extra-time looked inevitable as the 90 minutes ticked away, but there was still time for a goal that will be replayed for decades to come. Lucas Paqueta played the ball through, Jarrod Bowen made a perfect run and found the finish under pressure to spark wild scenes of celebration.

Fiorentina vs West Ham latest news

• West Ham end 43-year trophy wait!

• West Ham player ratings

• Trophy parade plans

• David Moyes reaction

Good night

Thursday 8 June 2023 00:05 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thank you for joining Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of what was a historic night for West Ham.

Find our report, ratings, analysis and reaction below!

Jarrod Bowen writes a new chapter for West Ham in fairytale Europa Conference League final win

Thursday 8 June 2023 00:04 , Jonathan Gorrie

When Jarrod Bowen announced he and partner Dani Dyer were expecting twins back in January, he marked the occasion with a fitting double in a 2-0 win over Everton.

To celebrate their arrival late last month, he had said on Tuesday that just one goal in this Europa Conference League final would do. Not much to ask, hey?

But when the young Bowens grow old enough to open up and peruse the West Ham history books, they will find daddy’s legend plastered all over this particular chapter, the winger’s finish as time ran out ending a trophy drought that had lasted 43 years, 90 minutes but not a second longer.

This iteration of West Ham are now written in club folklore, Declan Rice in his final Hammers appearance joining Billy Bonds and Bobby Moore as the only club captains to lift silverware, David Moyes ending his career-long wait for major silverware to join Ron Greenwood and John Lyall as the only Irons managers to achieve the same feat.

Read Malik Ouzia’s full report here!

Celebrating West Ham fans dance on tables after European final win

Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:51 , Jonathan Gorrie

Thousands of West Ham fans poured into the streets of Prague as the football club won its first trophy in more than 40 years.

Fans danced on tables and kissed each other in pubs across the Czech capital as they watched the Hammers lift the Europa Conference League trophy on Wednesday night.

Read the full story here!

Declan Rice responds to ‘speculation’ over West Ham future amid interest from Arsenal

Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:49 , Jonathan Gorrie

Declan Rice confirmed there is “interest” in him from other clubs, but emphasised his “love” for West Ham after leading the club to Europa Conference League glory.

West Ham took the lead in Prague against Fiorentina through Said Benrahma’s penalty, and though they were pegged back by an equaliser from Giacomo Bonaventura, Jarrod Bowen struck in the 90th-minute to end the club’s 43-year wait for a major trophy.

Read the full story here!

David Moyes reflects on ‘mad’ journey to trophy win as West Ham lift silverware

Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:30 , Jonathan Gorrie

David Moyes hailed his history-making West Ham squad as “remarkable” after they lifted the Europa Conference League on Wednesday night.

Jarrod Bowen scored a last-minute winner as the Hammers ended their 43-year wait for a trophy in a dramatic win over Fiorentina.

The result marks a high point for Moyes, who celebrated his 1000^th game in management in 2021.

Read the full story here!

More reaction from Moyes

Wednesday 7 June 2023 23:03 , Matt Verri

“This is fantastic. I have had a long career in football and you don’t get many moments like this.

“These sorts of moments as managers don’t come around often. This is a great moment for us.

“It is a brilliant club in the East End of London that does wonderful work in the community. It is a great family club. It is getting better and stronger. This is another step on the road of continued progress.

“We have gone unbeaten in Europe, which is incredible. We only lost last year in a semi-final, two incredible years and we get another one now.”

Statement from West Ham

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:59 , Matt Verri

West Ham have confirmed they will ban any supporter found to have thrown objects onto the pitch during tonight’s final.

Fiorentina captain Cristiano Biraghi was struck in the head in front of the West Ham end during the first-half of the final inside Prague’s Eden Arena by what appeared to be a plastic cup.

A stadium announcement warned supporters to stop their behaviour as a number of Hammers stars pleaded with their fans. Biraghi required treatment after the object caused him to bleed from the back of his head and play was briefly halted.

“West Ham United unreservedly condemn the behaviour of a small number of individuals who threw objects onto the pitch during tonight’s UEFA Europa Conference League final,” read a statement.

“These actions have no place in football, and do not in any way represent the values of our football club and the overwhelming majority of our supporters, who have behaved impeccably in Prague this week and throughout our last two seasons in European competition.

“We will work with the Police and other stakeholders to review the incidents and act against anyone found guilty of an offence. In line with our zero-tolerance approach, anyone identified will have their details passed to the police and will be given an indefinite ban and therefore be unable to enter London Stadium and travel with the Club. There is no place for this kind of behaviour at West Ham United.”

Night to remember for the Moyes family!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:53 , Matt Verri

Declan Rice asked about his future...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:41 , Matt Verri

“There’s a lot of speculation going on about my future,” he tells BT Sport.

“There is interest from other clubs that’s out there, but ultimately I’ve still got two years left at West Ham.

“I love this club, I love playing for this club. There hasn’t been anything yet. My focus is playing for West Ham and seeing what happens. I’m captain of this club and absolutely love it.

“I cannot speak highly enough of this place, let’s just see what happens.”

West Ham confirm parade plans

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:34 , Matt Verri

West Ham have confirmed their plans to parade the Europa Conference League trophy to supporters on Thursday.

The squad will return to England and parade the trophy in front of their own supporters starting at the site of the old Boelyn Ground and finish with a ceremony at Stratford Town Hall before ending at the London Stadium.

“It promises to be a party that no-one present will ever forget, after a victory that will be forever etched in the history of West Ham United, and in the record books of European football,” the club have said.

Read the full details on the parade here

European champions!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:30 , Matt Verri

A first European trophy since 1965.

A first major trophy since 1980.

It’s a night that will go down in West Ham’s history, with Jarrod Bowen the hero. What a moment for those players and those fans.

More Hammers reaction...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:26 , Matt Verri

West Ham ratings

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:17 , Matt Verri

Lucas Paqueta 8

Played a notably more advanced role out of possession and found early pockets but Fiorentina soon adapted and largely shut the Brazilian down until wonderful pass created the winner. A moment of sheer quality.

Sheer quality: Paqueta unlocked the defence as West Ham won late in Prague

Jarrod Bowen 9

Did brilliantly to get across his man and control with his chest to win the penalty, then sprinted away to net dramatic winner. History-maker.

Read our ratings in full here!

Reaction from Bowen

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:12 , Matt Verri

“To score the winner in the last minute? To do it in front of these fans. I thought I was gonna cry. I’m just happy. We’ve had a dream. We haven’t had the best season, myself included, but to do this for these fans - I’m over the moon.

“I’ve never had a feeling like this. Look at everyone, it means so much. I’m thinking of the party tonight!”

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:10 , Matt Verri

“Champions of Europe, we know what we are.”

You best believe West Ham fans are going to enjoy tonight. And tomorrow. And the entire summer.

Frame it!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:07 , Matt Verri

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:06 , Matt Verri

The celebrations are well and truly underway in Prague. Moyes can’t stop dancing.

West Ham will be in the Europa League next season, more adventures to come on Thursday nights!

That winning moment!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:04 , Matt Verri

FT: Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:01 , Matt Verri

THEY’VE DONE IT! WEST HAM WIN THE EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 22:01 , Matt Verri

How long are we playing for?!

Into the 99th-minute, Fiorentina have a free-kick. Still work to do for West Ham.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:59 , Matt Verri

They’re seconds way, West Ham hanging on...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:55 , Matt Verri

90+2 mins: Five minutes added on!

Moyes charged onto the pitch after that goal, absolute chaos inside the stadium. West Ham with three minutes to hold on.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:54 , Matt Verri

High line from Fiorentina, Paqueta plays the pass through.

Bowen just about onside, great first touch and he slides the finish, just about, home. Incredible!

GOAL! Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham | Jarrod Bowen 90'

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:53 , Matt Verri

JARROD BOWEN HAS SURELY WON IT FOR WEST HAM!!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:52 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Paqueta tries to be clever in his own corner, loses it though.

Comes to Amrabat, 25 yards out and has space for the shot, despite Rice’s best efforts to fly out. Comfortable for Areola.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:50 , Matt Verri

Vladimir Coufal has really risen to the occasion of playing in his own backyard. A really solid performance from the full-back so far.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:49 , Matt Verri

86 mins: Rice standing over this.

Great ball in, again Soucek is on the scene but it’s headed out. That’s brilliant defending. Five minutes left for someone to be a hero.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:48 , Matt Verri

85 mins: Amrabat goes in rashly out wide, so unnecessary. Catches Emerson and it’s a yellow card.

Free-kick West Ham, up come the big men again.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:47 , Matt Verri

83 mins: Groans as Emerson just gives the ball straight back to Fiorentina, sure Moyes’ voice was in that chorus.

West Ham are starting to drop deeper and deeper, not sure that’s in their best interests. Biraghi drags his shot from distance miles wide.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:45 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Corner West Ham, Soucek gets on the end of a long ball forward and flicks the header at goal.

Emerson over to take, aimed at Soucek but he can’t quite get up enough. Comes to Rice, looks to put it back in and instead whips it straight out of play.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:44 , Matt Verri

Stick or twist time now. You’d say Fiorentina perhaps look a little more likely...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:43 , Matt Verri

79 mins: It’s all very, very tense. We’re into ‘next goal wins’ kind of territory.

Coufal with a long throw into the box, drops for Soucek... blocked somehow! Emerson on the rebound, clear away and the whistle goes for a Fiorentina free-kick. Antonio with a high foot.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:39 , Matt Verri

75 mins: Milenkovic into the book, dragging Paqueta to the ground. Doesn’t bother to moan about that.

Coufal tries his luck from 35 yards out, looking for a dream moment in his home country. Just about stays in the stadium.

West Ham change, goalscorer Benrahma replaced by Fornals.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:35 , Matt Verri

72 mins: EVEN BIGGER CHANCE!

This match has burst into life. Ball comes back to Mandragora, free in the box and he has to score... sends the effort wide. Areola was not getting there.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:34 , Matt Verri

71 mins: BIG CHANCE!

Stand down, stand down. Flag was up anyway.

Glorious pass from Paqueta, Antonio clean through but he’s unable to find the finish. Well offside though.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:32 , Matt Verri

69 mins: It’s West Ham’s turn to look a bit shaky, giving away soft free-kicks.

Anyone’s guess what happens in the next 20 minutes now!

GOAL! Fiorentina 1-1 West Ham | Giacomo Bonaventura 67'

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:30 , Matt Verri

WELL THEN!

Fiorentina are back level within minutes. It’s a lovely finish from Bonaventura, gets enough on the shot to beat Areola and find the far corner.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:30 , Matt Verri

66 mins: Fiorentina appealing for a penalty, the most desperate appeal you’ll ever see. That would have been truly outrageous.

Mandragora earns himself a yellow card for his complaints.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:29 , Matt Verri

The noise in here now. Still a long way to go but up until that penalty decision, this felt like a game that would only be settled in 90 minutes by one goal, if at all.

West Ham will take that now...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:27 , Matt Verri

64 mins: West Ham are up now.

Paqueta celebrates a tackle like a goal, demanding more noise from the stands and they respond. Fiorentina rattled.

Kehrer is on for Zouma, who was not moving well.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:26 , Matt Verri

How clutch was that? The pressure on his shoulders as he strode up to the West Ham end, the entire thing belting his name, to put the ball on the spot. Brilliant.

GOAL! Fiorentina 0-1 West Ham | Said Benrahma 62'

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:25 , Matt Verri

BENRAHMA SCORES!

Brilliant penalty, fired into the corner as the goalkeeper dives the other way.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:23 , Matt Verri

I think that’s a penalty. He’s trying to put his arm across Bowen but ends up punching the ball off his chest.

It’s accidental but it has a material impact on Bowen’s ability to play the ball.

PENALTY WEST HAM!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:23 , Matt Verri

GIVEN!

Massive, massive moment.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:22 , Matt Verri

59 mins: It definitely hit Biraghi’s hand, even if it was at point-blank range.

Referee over for a look at the monitor. This is surely going to be given....

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:21 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Coufal launches a long throw to Bowen in the box, he chests it down and then starts screaming for a penalty... was there a handball?

West Ham players are convinced, officials are now. VAR taking a look at this though...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:20 , Matt Verri

57 mins: Space opens up for Kouame, 25 yards out.

On his right foot, looks to place it but instead sends a tame effort straight at Areola. That’s Fiorentina’s first shot on target tonight.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:19 , Matt Verri

55 mins: Amrabat continues to run the show in midfield. West Ham have not got close to him at any point tonight.

This really does have the match that is going to go the distance. There is nothing in the game at all.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:17 , Matt Verri

West Ham have got one centre-back down and about to be booked for going up for a header and another moving very awkwardly.

Kurt Zouma looks like he’s struggling a bit out there.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:16 , Matt Verri

53 mins: Amrabat picks the ball up from his goalkeeper, very nearly loses it to Antonio on the edge of his own box. Fortunate there.

We then have another stoppage, of course. Aguerd and Gonzalez both down after colliding in the air, challenging for a header.

Aguerd has, for some reason, been shown a yellow card.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:14 , Matt Verri

This is in danger of going the way of that Roma vs Sevilla debacle last week. Play-acting galore, stoppages deluxe.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:12 , Matt Verri

49 mins: Bowen down in the box... referee not interested.

Looks like he got a bit of a shove from Biraghi, maybe a slight elbow to the back of the head. Replays show not enough for a penalty though, good decision.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:10 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Emerson robbed just outside his own box, Fiorentina have flown out of their blocks. A succession of dangerous crosses put into the West Ham box, all of which are just about defended.

Amrabat being given so much time on the ball - Rice on the other hand has barely had a kick.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:09 , Matt Verri

There was a real lack of consensus even among Italian journalists here as to whether Arthur Cabral or Luka Jovic would start here.

The old switcheroo at half-time and West Ham will now have to be wary of a man who has scored six times in the knockout stage.

Back underway!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:08 , Matt Verri

Up and running again in Prague.

A change from Fiorentina at the break - Jovic off, Cabral on.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:03 , Matt Verri

Best part of 70% of the ball for Fiorentina in the first-half, though they haven’t had a shot on target to show for it.

West Ham had a decent start, with Michail Antonio having a tame effort saved and Declan Rice firing wide, but not much to report apart from that.

Got to imagine David Moyes will be fairly forceful with his team-talk during the break. His side haven’t been at it.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 21:00 , Matt Verri

Intense, ugly game, only one shot on target. West Ham struggling to keep a lid on frustrations.

West Ham survive...

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:55 , Matt Verri

HT: Fiorentina 0-0 West Ham

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:52 , Matt Verri

And that is half-time.

It’s been tight, scrappy but fairly engrossing.

Fiorentina much more comfortable on the ball, but, beyond that late Jovic ‘goal’, they haven’t done much with it. West Ham have to improve, they’ve not offered anywhere near enough.

GOOO... NO!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:50 , Matt Verri

DISALLOWED.

Fiorentina think they’ve taken the lead, as Jovic bundles the ball home.

Initial header was fine, bounces back off the post and Jovic was there and reacted quicker than anyone in a West Ham shirt. Offside flag up though.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:49 , Matt Verri

45+3 mins: Fiorentina back to dominating possession, but West Ham looking solid enough.

The Italian side win a corner, it will be pretty much the final action of the half. Biraghi this time is not pelted by plastic cups.

Taken short, eventually comes in and Rice hooks the ball away to safety.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:46 , Matt Verri

45 mins: Four minutes added on. Could have been double that considering the half we’ve had.

Judging by Moyes’ face on the touchline, the West Ham players are going to wish it was more. Not sure they’re going to have a very enjoyable half-time...

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:44 , Matt Verri

The narrative machine was whirring as Coufal hung that one up for Czech team-mate Soucek there. Not much he could do from the angle, though.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:44 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Much, much better from West Ham. Driving run from Emerson and he wins his side a free-kick in a great position.

Emerson clips it in, headed away but West Ham stay on the attack. Ball swung in deep, Soucek nods it down into the six-yard box but nobody there in a white shirt.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:42 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Dodo furious, he thinks Benrahma has just knocked the ball out of play. That’s exactly what happened, but the referee awards West Ham a corner.

Emerson swings it in, Zouma lurking but it’s nodded behind for another corner. Finally some West Ham pressure.

It’s Emerson again... Zouma down, Rice with a shot blocked... eventually cleared!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:39 , Matt Verri

39 mins: West Ham win a free-kick, taken quickly and fired straight out. They need to calm down.

Emerson brings down Gonzalez, as the Fiorentina winger looks to charge down the left. It’s all gone very scrappy.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:37 , Matt Verri

37 mins: Right, Biraghi has been patched up. He fires the corner in, bobbles around a bit and Areola can claim.

West Ham still really sloppy on the ball, Soucek plays it straight out of play as he tries to find Emerson. A bit ragged from the Hammers at the moment.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:35 , Matt Verri

Aguerd, Paqueta and Coufal all pleading with fans to stop lobbing plastic cups at Biraghi as he takes corners.

Been cut quite badly by one now.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:35 , Matt Verri

34 mins: Biraghi over to take a corner for West Ham, and he’s hit with a number of cups thrown by Hammers fans.

He’s got a cut on the top of his head, plenty of blood coming from it. West Ham players over, urging their supporters to stop.

Referee has called Rice over for a conservation as he pauses the match.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:32 , Matt Verri

31 mins: There have been some questionable decisions tonight... this isn’t one.

Benrahma knocks the ball into the box, and produces a leap as though there’s an Olympic swimming pool beneath him. Woeful. Yellow card for diving.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:30 , Matt Verri

30 mins: Bowen looks to poke the ball through to Antonio, intercepted. Antonio would have been a mile offside anway.

Fiorentina holding a very high line, you feel as though West Ham will get a chance to exploit that at some point. No sign of it yet though.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:28 , Matt Verri

West Ham have got to keep a lid on frustrations here. It feels like every decision - or non-decision - is going against them.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:28 , Matt Verri

27 mins: Well that’s an incredible decision.

Antonio pulls out to the right, knocks the ball past Milenkovic and gets brought down as the defender flies in. Referee waves play on. Moyes is absolutely stunned.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:26 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Antonio again lets the ball bounce off him, and Milenkovic is then down holding his face. He’s made a swift and miraculous recover though.

Corner Fiorentina, great delivery in but Milenkovic heads it miles over the bar. That’s a real chance.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:25 , Matt Verri

Not much has really happened in the game but the intensity and occasion of the atmosphere has made this first quarter of the match fly by.

Fiorentina on top at the moment.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:23 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Rice shaking his head, as Amrabat charges over to close him down. Fiorentina working really hard on the rare occasions they don’t have the ball.

He’s a bit too keen this time though, catching Paqueta late. Aguerd pings it long to Bowen... not sure he’s going to be winning many headers.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:21 , Matt Verri

20 mins: Jovic pounces on a loose ball in the box, forced wide before he gets the shot away and it’s blocked.

West Ham struggling to get out of their own half... they’re struggling to have a kick really.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:19 , Matt Verri

18 mins: Antonio does hear the whistle this time... only for the free-kick to be given to Fiorentina. Strange one.

West Ham striker needs to do so much better, it comes to him on the halfway line again and he loses it immediately. Been a poor start from Antonio.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:16 , Matt Verri

16 mins: West Ham not happy with the officiating so far and that’s not going to help.

Paqueta down holding his head after challenging in the air, before Antonio is knocked to the floor. Referee couldn’t care less.

Nor does he have any interest when Antonio goes down at the other end of the pitch after a brilliant run. Very heavy touch encouraged the challenge, no foul given though.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:15 , Matt Verri

Fiorentina coach Vicenzo Italiano declared publicly pre-match that his team would use tactical fouls to break up West Ham’s rhythm, but if anything at the moment the Hammers are being frustrated by some soft ones given against them.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:13 , Matt Verri

13 mins: ALMOST!

Coufal with the long throw, comes to Rice on the edge of the box and his strike is a decent one... just wide. Dragged it a bit as he rushed to get the shot away.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:12 , Matt Verri

12 mins: Dodo the latest Fiorentina player down, looks like he might have taken a slight blow to the face. He’ll survive.

First real chance for West Ham to break, as Paqueta and Bowen combine. The winger dinks a cross into the box, headed out.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:10 , Matt Verri

We’ll see how it progresses but it’s notable how high up the pitch Lucas Paqueta is playing when West Ham don’t have the ball, and indeed how deep Jarrod Bowen and Said Benrahma are.

It’s more like a 4-4-1-1 than the usual 4-3-3.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:09 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Amrabat dropping so deep to get on the ball, almost making it a back three for Fiorentina.

Mandragora tries his luck from distance after Antonio fails to hold the ball up, fires it wide of the far post. Moyes not impressed with his striker.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:07 , Matt Verri

6 mins: It’s as we expected so far, Fiorentina seeing plenty of the ball and West Ham happy to sit off in their shape.

The Italian side eventually get bored of that, clip it long and Zouma gets his body in the way to see it out for a goal-kick.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:05 , Matt Verri

4 mins: Rice with a great tackle in his own box, had to get that right or it would have been a penalty.

Gonzalez is rolling around on the floor, holding his face and getting absolutely no sympathy from the stands. Safe to say there’s nothing wrong with him.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:04 , Matt Verri

The linesman’s made a decision to give Fioentina a free-kick right down by the corner of their end, but the reaction of the crowd along the touchline behind him tells you that West Ham fans are stretching all the way around that side of the ground, too.

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:02 , Matt Verri

1 mins: Well it’s been a fun start!

Fiorentina with a shot blocked at one end, before West Ham break through Paqueta. He knocks it wide to Antonio, who cuts inside and fires a tame effort at goal that is comfortably saved.

KICK-OFF!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 20:01 , Matt Verri

Underway in the Europa Conference League final!

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:59 , Matt Verri

Those empty sections of seats haven’t been filled.

A bit of a farce when there are thousands of fans watching this game elsewhere in the city having travelled without tickets, and that plenty of those inside the ground have probably paid wild prices on the black market.

Here we go!

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:57 , Matt Verri

Players are out onto the pitch in Prague, West Ham in their away kit.

Not the biggest of stadiums, but it’s a really special atmosphere. And it’s the West Ham fans making the noise.

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:52 , Matt Verri

Anyone know how DJ decks hold up if it starts lashing it down? Am worried we might be dealing with an electrified headline act shortly.

West Ham fans have very obviously outnumbered Fiorentina’s in the city over the last couple of days but I’m still surprised to see a couple of big pockets of empty seats in the Italian end.

Michail Antonio: Biggest night of my career

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:50 , Matt Verri

“It’s massive,” he says. “We’ve not been in a [European] final for 47 years. I’ve won a JPT [Football League Trophy] final, so this is massive for me. It’s probably the biggest thing I’ve been involved in, in my life.

“Most people want to retire with some type of accolades and this is an opportunity for me to have those accolades. But it’s not just for me, it’s for everyone.”

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:47 , Matt Verri

No idea what’s going on here - both penalty boxes are full of blokes with electric guitars that very obviously aren’t plugged in strumming along to Nirvana.

Moyes: Fan backlash hurt

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:41 , Matt Verri

There were occasions this season when the suggestion was that, if his team had lost the next game, West Ham’s hierarchy would sack David Moyes.

The Hammers boss admits that one of his lowest points came after West Ham had beaten Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage in early April, when fans unfurled a “Moyes Out” banner.

“I know football is about the here and now, and you can’t look back, but it did hurt and it was disappointing,” he recalls. “The fact is, I had been asked twice to come and help keep the club in the Premier League, and this season we had to do it again.

“In between that, though, I hope everyone had enjoyed a great couple of seasons, so when I saw that banner it was hurtful, because it drains your power and strength to do things.”

Read Moyes’ full interview with Standard Sport here

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:37 , Matt Verri

The two teams have got their usual stadium announcers shipped over for the occasion.

West Ham’s has just read out Declan Rice’s name, probably for the final time, and no surprise it received the biggest cheer.

West Ham fans will never forget special night

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:32 , Matt Verri

For those who follow the Premier League elite, the overwhelming excitement of West Ham fans may be greeted with bewilderment tinged with disdain, writes Ken Dyer.

Not that the supporters of the club are too bothered by what anyone else thinks. Only seven English teams had a chance to reach a European final this season — and West Ham were one of them.

Yes, the Europa Conference League is the third-tier competition in Europe, but who cares? Certainly not the thousands of Hammers fans who have made it out to Prague, many without tickets, for tonight’s final.

The fact remains that only Manchester City and West Ham can return home with a coveted European trophy this season, so cue the collective fever-pitch mood.

Back in 1965, the European Cup Winners’ Cup was also the third-tier competition in Europe, but that mattered not one jot to the 100,000 people who descended on Wembley to see West Ham beat 1860 Munich 2-0, with both goals coming from Alan Sealey.

Read the full piece here!

Malik Ouzia at the Eden Arena

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:27 , Matt Verri

Usual big tournament nonsense of the PA playing blaring music over what was building into an incredible atmosphere between the two sets of fans.

Pre-match thoughts from Moyes

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:25 , Matt Verri

“We’re fresh coming into the game. The players are in good spirits, we’ve been ready for the game for a few days now.

“We’re really excited to be here, it’s a great achievement for the players. Now we want the bigger step.

“Huge West Ham crowd here - we hope we can do them proud.”

Night of destiny for Moyes and Rice

Wednesday 7 June 2023 19:18 , Matt Verri

The contrast between captain and manager was clear: Declan Rice, ahead of his final West Ham outing, talking about legacy; David Moyes, who this week insisted he wants to stay on at the Hammers, giving short shrift to the prospect of becoming a legend.

“I don’t think of myself as any different to anyone else in this room,” Moyes said in his press conference at Eden Arena here in Prague.

“I’m really fortunate and privileged and thankful to be given an opportunity to be a football manager and to have the opportunity to go this far in my career and be on a stage like this.

“I don’t ever really think of myself as being a legend or any words like that. I’d just like to be known as a football manager.”

Whatever his hesitancy, there is something deeply personal about this final for Moyes, the 60-year-old having ridden out the season’s criticism to stand on the precipice of the first major silverware in his long career. He admitted that having watched contemporaries and rivals take their shots at glory for years while working on some of the sport’s biggest games for UEFA, it felt “surreal” to be, at last, the man in the box seat.

For Rice, at 24 and about to spread his wings, there is less a sense of urgency, but no less desperation; the opportunity there to sign off from the club that believed in him when others did not, from the club he has come to define, in fitting style.

Read Malik Ouzia’s full preview here

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