A late winner from Jarrod Bowen sees West Ham United win the 2023 Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina in Prague.
David Moyes legged it onto the pitch after Paqueta stayed cool, saw the picture and threaded through Bowen, who timed his run to perfection.
He scampered through on the goalkeeper and managed to find the finish into the far corner to give the Hammers their first major trophy in the FA Cup since 1980.
LIMBS ⚒️⚒️⚒️
When you score for @WestHam in a European Final 🔥📢#UECLFinal pic.twitter.com/zffdh1mBJj
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 7, 2023
West Ham boss David Moyes, speaking to BT Sport: “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.”
Best moment of career? “I would have to say so. The moments you get to celebrate with your family and win in the last minute of the game, it doesn’t happen often. It can go against you but tonight is a brilliant feeling.
“If somebody had said three years ago when I took the job that you’d avoid relegation and finish in Europe and I’ve said you were mad.
“This competition has been great for us, the players have been remarkable.”
UNBELIEVABLE SCENES!! 💥
Jarrod Bowen writes himself in West Ham history to surely clinch glory with the last kick of the game!! 🤩#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/W2b8zqfR8W
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 7, 2023
West Ham goalscorer Jarrod Bowen to BT Sport: “I obviously dreamed of scoring but to score the winner in the last minute. It’s what you always say you want to do. To do it in front of these fans. I thought I was going to cry. I’m just happy.
“We had a dream, we haven’t had the best season, myself included, but to give these fans this moment, I’m over the moon.
“I think in my position you make that run 10 times you might get that ball once. As soon as you get it you’ve got to put it away.
“Never [have I felt like this in my life]. This is the biggest game of my career. The emotion, there was time for one more chance. I’m just so happy. I’m over the moon.
“I’m thinking of the party tonight. Listen to it. Listen.”
West Ham are 2023 UEFA Conference League champions!! ⚒️#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/9zW9Xw6y3I
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 7, 2023
First half of the game saw Fiorentina’s captain Cristiano Biraghi had blood flowing from the back of his head after he was hit by a cup that West Ham fans threw during the Europa Conference League final.
The 30-year-old Italian walked to the corner in the 34th minute and was hit by multiple plastic cups thrown by Hammers fans.
West Ham’s players tried to calm their own fans down and an announcement was made at the stadium warning them to stop their behaviour.
Nicolas Gonzalez was again hit with cups during a forward run, with the winger responded to the joke by taking a drink.
West Ham fans👎🤢pic.twitter.com/xpeanxdFNq
— HATEM NERAZZURRI 🏆⭐5️⃣🇧🇷 (@NerazzurriHatem) June 7, 2023
The stadium announcer in Prague telling West Ham fans to calm down and respect the players, during the game this evening, after a Fiorentina fan was hit and cut open by an object thrown by a fan in the stands. pic.twitter.com/BKr7TKeBZi
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) June 7, 2023
The Hammers weren’t ahead for long as on 86 minutes, a brilliant finish put Fiorentina ahead. Giacomo Bonaventura controlled the ball with ease after it is headed on to him inside the box and then with his second touch, sends the shot into the far corner.
Saïd Benrahma rockets the ball into the back of the net from 12 yards!! 🤩
The West Ham fans are on their feet!! ⚒️#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/kWXoMwZpEX
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 7, 2023
Fiorentina hit back with a quick response!! 🙌
It’s all square in Prague… 👀#UECLfinal pic.twitter.com/gDXnZPT46q
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 7, 2023
Then right at the end, Bowen timed his run to perfection as Lucas Paqueta slid a superb pass through the Fiorentina defence, to seal the win.
It means that West Ham have ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy.
Here’s what fans said as a late winner from Jarrod Bowen sees West Ham win the 2023 Europa Conference League Final…
@KingBobbleHead: Amazing stuff, not going to lie a few tears in my eyes, amazing stuff. To all you people In Prague enjoy and stay safe #COYI
@Hammersfan1966: Never thought I would see this! Watching with my West Ham family including my dad who was there for our last win in 1965! Means the world this win. Well done lads, well done Moyes. #COYI #WestHam #Westhamfamily #WestHamUnited
@Slothie_Bee: I’m more happier now than I was on my wedding day and the day both of my kids were born. #IRONS!! #COYI #UECLfinal
@ClaireTeresa1: It’s just such a wholesome joy from the players and coaching staff. Well done lads! #COYI #WHUFC ⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️⚒️
@debsyW14: So happy, so proud. Gutted my dad isn’t here to see it but know he’s watching and celebrating up there #westham #coyi ⚒
@BullJet: What an incredible result, a fantastic achievement for the club, first European trophy in donkeys years, first proper trophy in long enough too, absolutely over the moon. Fucking get in there!! #COYI
@Mikehausen_WHU: Never in my life have I felt like this. That was a horrible game settled by one moment of quality. I love you West Ham. All the ups and downs that lead to this are worth it ♥️♥️♥️ #WestHam #WHUFC #COYI #WAFM
@MarkMarriot87: David Moyes finally has his hands on a major trophy! A man who has worked effortless at every club he’s ever been at and done so much good work with very little available. One of the best managers in English football gets his reward! #UECLfinal #FiorentinaWestHam #WHUFC #COYI
@Hammer_GDM: All that shit football was totally worth it! Through gritted teeth, well done Mr Moyes. I love West Ham #COYI #UECLfinal #WestHam
@Conor_Harding: Genuine tears in my eyes #COYI
@Jono9o9: Never in my life did I think we would win a trophy let alone a European one!!! What a tournament from all the boys and a very deserved winner for @_JarrodBowen. Unfuckingbelievable #COYI #WHUFC
@robgaffer92: Absolute limbs. What a finish to the game 👏🏼👏🏼 Congrats to the Dad, Brother and Sister who have suffered a long time supporting @WestHam 😂 #FiorentinaWestHam #WHUFC #COYI #UECLfinal
@Jdotw1: Grown man and crying my eyes out, don’t even care, EVERYWHERE WE GOOOO, WEST HAM ARE MASSIVE, EVERYWHERE WE GO! I love this club! #COYI CHAMPIONS!!
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