While for many English football clubs participation in the Champions League is the ultimate goal, it's different for West Ham United. The London-based club eliminated AZ Alkmaar in the semi-finals of the Conference League last month and now they sense victory in the third-tier European tournament.
It has been a long time since both West Ham and Fiorentina were successful in Europe. Fiorentina won the UEFA Cup in 1961, while West Ham achieved that feat in 1965. The English club made significant investments in their squad last summer and has now become the seventh-largest club in England in terms of revenue. However, their on-field performances have not matched their off-field progress, as they finished a disappointing 14th in the Premier League this season.
"We play in possibly the strongest league in England. It's not easy to qualify for European football, so we must seize this opportunity," said manager David Moyes regarding the final in Prague on Wednesday. The winner of the final will secure a place in the group stage of the Europa League. West Ham United reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season but were knocked out by eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt. "We can use that as motivation now," Moyes added.
Well-known players from West Ham's 1965 squad include Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters. "I don't know if we'll ever get a statue, as we're talking about three English legends and West Ham legends," Moyes said. "But a new generation of young supporters is developing in East London. If we can give them something to believe in now, that they can reach a final and even win it, it would be only positive. I truly believe that the current players have a great opportunity to be remembered by everyone at this club."
For forward Jarrod Bowen, it feels like the biggest match of his career. "I have played international matches for England, but I think this means more. We have achieved this together and now we have the chance to win a trophy. It would mean a lot to us and our fans."
Fiorentina, who eliminated FC Twente in the Conference League playoffs back in August, takes confidence from their strong finish to the league. In their last fifteen league matches, manager Vincenzo Italiano's team won nine and drew four. "We are aware of the qualities of West Ham United, but we hope to have found some weaknesses," Italiano stated.
