Fiorentina 1-2 West Ham: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Hammers Are Crowned Europa Conference League Champions In Prague?

In what was a thrilling affair from Prague on Wednesday night, West Ham were crowned Europa Conference League champions as they clinched a famous 2-1 victory against Fiorentina.

Getting their hands on a first piece of silverware since their FA Cup success in 1980, David Moyes’ men had to put in a gritty display as they soaked up a huge amount of pressure during the first-half.

Nevertheless, with Said Benrahma powering home from the penalty spot just after the hour mark, it appears that the Hammers were on course to lift a first European trophy in over five decades.

However, while Moyes’ side might have been backed by a vocal support in Prague, Fiorentina almost immediately dragged themselves level as Giacomo Bonaventura produced a smart finish just five minutes later.

Although Thursday’s Conference League final might have been just seconds away from heading to extra-time, it was Jarrod Bowen who cemented his spot as a modern-day West Ham icon with a finish that will go down in the history books.

Slotting home in the 90th minute and sending the Hammers’ lively support into overdrive, there is no doubt that Thursday’s performance will go down as one of the greatest night’s in their history.

On what was a fiery night from Prague, we have taken a look at the main talking points as West Ham were crowned the first English Conference League winners.

Moyes’ men write themselves into east London folklore

At the heart of a shock Premier League relegation scrap this season and eventually having to settle for a lacklustre 14th-place finish, it is no secret that Moyes has come under a huge amount of scrutiny in east London on either side of the World Cup’s winter break.

However, while the Hammers might have failed to make much of an impact while on domestic duties this year, the former Manchester United boss has arguably cemented his place as the greatest manager in West Ham’s iconic history.

Enjoying what has been a remarkable Conference League romp this season and not suffering a single defeat in any of their European appearances, Moyes’ history-making squad deserve a huge amount of credit.

Along with getting their hands on a first piece of silverware in over 40 years on Thursday night, the West Ham fans will also know that they can start planning for another European tour next season.

Officially punching a Europa League group stage ticket, Bowen’s last-gasp winner will undoubtedly be a moment that live longs in the memory around east London.

Although Moyes will be the first to admit that his side failed on the Premier League front this season, the Hammers certainly couldn’t have wished for a more emotional end to the 2022/23 campaign.

Fiorentina fail to complete their rollercoaster Conference League Adventure

Mounting a remarkable second-leg comeback away at Basel on May 18th as they eventually snatched a 4-3 aggregate win, it is fair to say that Fiorentina have embarked on a real Conference League rollercoaster this season.

Although the Viola might have signed off their Serie A adventure with an eye-catching 3-1 victory away at Sassuolo last weekend, Vincenzo Italiano’s men travelled out to Prague riding what had been a recent wave of momentum.

However, although the Viola might have found a way to edge past both Basel and Lech over the past six weeks, the Italian giants have certainly gained a reputation for their action-packed affairs on the Conference League stage.

While Fiorentina might have opened Thursday’s final as the leading goalscorer in this season’s tournament, Italiano’s side have continued to fail in their bid to find some much-needed defensive steel during their knockout stage run.

Along with suffering a stunning 3-2 defeat when they welcome Lech to the Studio Artemio Franchi on April 20th, the former Spezia boss cut a visibly frustrated figure at the final whistle here.

A fairytale farewell for Rice in his final West Ham appearance

Becoming just the third West Ham captain to lift a European trophy, there is no doubt that Declan Rice couldn’t have wished for a better send off to his tenure in east London.

Although Rice might have been quick to bat away any questions over his future following the final whistle in Prague, many West Ham fans have accepted that their midfield icon will be on the move this summer.

Rightfully regarded to be among Europe’s hottest young properties, it is no secret that the England international has a host of heavyweight clubs from across the continent that are all plotting what could be a record-breaking swoop when the transfer window reopens.

Now standing with both Bobby Moore and Billy Bonds, Rice has certainly cemented his spot as a modern-day icon at the London Stadium.

While the Hammers’ support on Wednesday night might have made one last plea for Rice to extend his stay in east London by another season, they will undeniably applaud their skipper off on his new adventure this summer.

Match Report

Fiorentina: Terracciano, Dodo, Milenkovic, Ranieri, Biraghi, Bonaventura, Amrabat, Mandragora, Gonzalez, Jovic, Kouame

Subs: Saponara, Cabral, Julio, Barak

West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Zouma, Aguerd, Emerson, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Paqueta Benrahma, Antonio

Subs: Kehrer, Ogbonna, Fornals

Goals: Fiorentina: Bonaventura (67’) – West Ham: Benrahma (62’ P), Bowen (90’)

Yellow Cards: Fiorentina: Milenkovic, Amrabat, Mandragora, Duncan – West Ham – Benrahma, Bowen, Aguerd, Cresswell

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande