West Ham fans take over Prague ahead of Europa Conference League final
The Europa Conference League final takes place tonight in Prague and West Ham United have the chance to end a wait since 1980 for a piece of major silverware – but to do so they have to see off Fiorentina.
David Moyes team saw off AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals to reach this showpiece event but their domestic form was uneven at best this season – they finished 14th in the Premier League and were among the relegation candidates until the final month or so of the campaign.
Over in Serie A, La Viola came eighth in the table after another campaign of progression mixed with inconsistency – they are themselves aiming for a first trophy since the 2001 Coppa Italia. Their path to the final included seeing off Sivasspor, Lech Poznan and Basel – now English opponents stand in their way. Follow our live coverage of the Europa Conference League final below:
Europa Conference League final – LIVE
- West Ham and Fiorentina squaring off in the Europa Conference League final
- Fighting in the streets of Prague leads to fan arrests
- West Ham XI: Areola, Coufal, Aguerd, Zouma, Emerson, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta, Benrahma, Antonio
- Fiorentina XI: Terracciano; Dodo, Ranieri, Milenkovic, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Amrabat, Mandragora; Kouame, Jovic, Gonzalez
- 35’ – Biraghi suffers cut head after being hit by objects thrown from the crowd
- 45+4’ – Jovic heads a rebound into the net but the Fiorentina man is ruled offside
Show latest update
48’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
The Italians are quickly on the front foot after the restart.
West Ham throw one forward at Bowen goes up for it and crashes to ground cluitching his head – Biraghi gave him a marginal shove but there’s not a lot in it.
The eventual shot is deflected behind and the subsequent corner is cleared.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 21:13
2H – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Change at the break for Fiorentina: Arthur Cabral is on for Luka Jovic.
We are back underway in Prague!
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 21:08
HT – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Scoreless at the break but plenty of talking points.
The referee has been one, with Hammers feeling they’ve got the raw end so far. Benrahma was deservedly booked for a dive, though.
Meanwhile it’s the West Ham fans who have been atrocious inside the stadium.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 21:04
Lionel Messi confirms he will sign for Inter Miami in huge coup for MLS
Massive news from around the football world:
Lionel Messi has confirmed he will complete a free transfer move to American side Inter Miami, ending rumours he would join former rival Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
The Argentinian World Cup-winner leaves Paris Saint-Germain after two years in Ligue 1 and now heads to MLS, his first senior club outside of Europe having spent his entire career at Barcelona prior to joining PSG.
Speaking in an exclusive interview to Sport and Mundo Deportivo, Messi confirmed: “I’m going to join Inter Miami. The decision is 100% confirmed.
“If it had been a matter of money, I’d have gone to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere. It seemed like a lot of money to me. The truth is that my final decision goes elsewhere and not because of money”.
With the deal yet to officially go through, exact details surrounding the length of contract and how much he will earn are still to be confirmed.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:57
HT’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Offside it is and it certainly did look the case, just half a yard or so but a warning for the Hammers before the break.
And there is the whistle – half time and all square in Prague.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:52
GOAL – 45+4’ – West Ham 0-1 Fiorentina
Into the net – but it looks offside!
Kouame’s header hits the post, it bounces out to Jovic and he buries his header on the rebound…but will it be ruled out? VAR are checking…
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:51
45’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Four minutes added on – the majority of this will be for that stoppage when Biraghi was hit on the head.
Kouame turns nicely in the left channel but his pass is heavy and overhit. Bonaventura then delivers a cross but it’s deflected and Areola gathers.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:47
44’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Soucek knocks down a big cross but his header runs behind Bowen and there’s nobody else in there. West Ham showing an improvement at the end of the first half but no big chances for either team, really.
A spark needed in this fixture after the break, you suspect! Other than fan-related flashpoints, that is.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:45
40’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Paqueta tries to quieten down the tempo after his team had barely touched the ball for a while. Benrahma wins a corner by…running the ball out of play. Not great work from the officials tonight it must be said.
The first corner is cleared behind; the second lands for Rice but his shot is blocked and cleared.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:42
36’ – West Ham 0-0 Fiorentina
Several West Ham players have had to go across and tell the Hammers fans to calm down and stop throwing stuff.
Why do adults need to be told this? Genuinely, incredible stupidity.
The referee leads the players off towards the other side of the pitch for a moment while Biraghi is patched up – loads of blood pouring out of him for a while there. He’s ready to carry on now, purple bandage around his head.
Karl Matchett7 June 2023 20:37