UEFA Europa Conference League 2023

Lore & Background

For generations of West Ham supporters, the 2023 Europa Conference League victory was more than a trophy—it was the fulfillment of a dream whispered in the stands of the Boleyn Ground and later roared at the London Stadium. The club's history, steeped in the traditions of the Academy of Football and the 1965 European triumph, had long yearned for a return to the continent's winners' circle. The journey through the 2022–23 campaign was a rollercoaster of grit and flair, with memorable nights against Anderlecht, AEK Larnaca, and a dramatic semi-final victory over AZ Alkmaar that saw the team overcome adversity on Dutch soil. The final itself was a microcosm of West Ham's identity: hard work, tactical intelligence, and a never-say-die attitude. After a tense first half, Said Benrahma's penalty gave the Hammers the lead, only for Fiorentina to equalize through Giacomo Bonaventura. As extra time loomed, Jarrod Bowen's iconic 90th-minute strike—a perfectly weighted through ball from Lucas Paquetá and a cool finish—sent the claret and blue faithful into ecstasy. The image of Bowen sliding on his knees, arms outstretched, became an instant symbol of the club's renaissance. This victory resonated deeply because it belonged to the fans as much as the players. Over 20,000 supporters made the pilgrimage to Prague, transforming the city into a sea of claret and blue days before the match. The trophy was lifted by captain Declan Rice, whose leadership throughout the campaign embodied the club's spirit, and it marked a historic high point for manager David Moyes, who had rebuilt the team into a European force. For a club that prides itself on loyalty and community, the 2023 triumph was a golden chapter in a storied history.

In Their Own Story

The noise was a living thing, a roar that shook the Prague night. Jarrod Bowen saw the ball drop from the sky, felt the weight of 58 years on his shoulders, and ran. Lucas Paquetá's pass was a whisper of genius, threading through the Fiorentina defense like a needle through history. Bowen didn't think—he just struck, low and hard, past the goalkeeper's desperate dive. The net bulged, and time stopped. In the stands, a father lifted his son onto his shoulders, tears streaming, remembering his own father telling tales of 1965. The final whistle came moments later, and the claret and blue wave crashed onto the pitch, a flood of joy that washed away decades of longing. Prague would never forget the night the Hammers came home.

Reader's Guide

**UEFA Europa Conference League 2023** – West Ham United's first major European trophy since 1965. The club entered the competition after finishing 7th in the 2021–22 Premier League. The final, played on June 7, 2023, at Fortuna Arena in Prague, saw the Hammers defeat ACF Fiorentina 2–1. Said Benrahma opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute, but Fiorentina equalized through Giacomo Bonaventura in the 67th. The match seemed destined for extra time until Jarrod Bowen's 90th-minute winner—assisted by Lucas Paquetá—secured the trophy. This victory was monumental for a club that had not won a top-flight trophy since the 1980 FA Cup and had never won a UEFA competition outright (the 1965 European Cup Winners' Cup was also a UEFA-sanctioned trophy). The win also qualified West Ham for the 2023–24 UEFA Europa League group stage. Captain Declan Rice lifted the trophy, capping a season where he was instrumental in the team's success. The achievement cemented manager David Moyes's legacy as the first to lead West Ham to a European trophy since Ron Greenwood.

Did You Know?

• Jarrod Bowen's winning goal was scored in the 90th minute, making it the latest winning goal in a UEFA Europa Conference League final.
• West Ham became the second English club to win the UEFA Europa Conference League, following Roma's victory in the inaugural 2022 edition.
• Over 20,000 West Ham fans traveled to Prague for the final, with many more watching in fan zones across London.