Fiorentina vs West Ham
UEFA Europa Conference League Final
Wednesday
7th June 2023
Eden Arena
West Ham United are on the brink of their first top prize in 43 years. The Hammers will face Fiorentina in the Conference League final on Wednesday.
“Means more than international matches for England”
With the FA Cup, West Ham won the last top prize in the 1979/80 season. Just before the turn of the century, the number fourteen in the Premier League seized the Intertoto Cup, but according to Declan Rice, that is nothing compared to a possible overall victory in the Conference League. The 24-year-old midfielder stated on the club website that “this will be the biggest game the club has played in a long time.”
By defeating AZ in the semifinals, West Ham advanced to the final. Not simple, according to Rice: “AZ was a really good squad. It was a memorable experience to win the game and go to the final. We must now complete it. My best accomplishment to date would be this. Without a doubt. Any player would achieve exceptional prestige inside the club if they won the European Cup.”
Jarrod Bowen echoed his teammate’s words. For the first time since the 1964/65 season, when West Ham won the European Cup II, the London club can book a European final victory. “Although I have played for England, I believe this means more. Together, we have accomplished this, and now we have a chance to win a cup. We and our supporters would be very grateful for that,” he remarked.
“It was new for me to play in Europe and so are some of my players”
Fiorentina also has a European Cup II in its trophy cabinet. The club from Florence won that cup in the 1960/61 season. “I’m thrilled we have a chance to take home this trophy. When I signed here, it was my goal,” the coach Vicenzo Italiano told the Italian media. “Playing in Europe was new for me, as it is for some of my players.”
The European campaign for Fiorentina began in August. Nearly 10 months later comes the apotheosis. “We began cooperating with the understanding that we may win,” Italiano said. “The fact that we were successful is a tribute to all of our sacrifices and efforts.”
