The2023 UEFA Europa Conference League finalwas the final match of the2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League,the second season of Europe's tertiary clubfootballtournament organised byUEFA.The match was played at theFortuna ArenainPrague,Czech Republic, on 7 June 2023,[5][6]between Italian clubFiorentinaand English clubWest Ham United.
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| Event | 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League | ||||||
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| Date | 7 June 2023 | ||||||
| Venue | Fortuna Arena,Prague | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Jarrod Bowen(West Ham United)[1] | ||||||
| Referee | Carlos del Cerro Grande(Spain)[2] | ||||||
| Attendance | 17,363[3] | ||||||
| Weather | Cloudy night 19 °C (66 °F) 75%humidity[4] | ||||||
West Ham United won the match 2–1 for their first UEFA Europa Conference League title.[7][8]As winners, they qualified for the group stage of the2023–24 UEFA Europa League.
Background
editThis was the first appearance in the final of the competition for both teams. However, bothFiorentinaandWest Ham Unitedhad won theCup Winners' Cupin the 1960s; Fiorentina was its first winners back in1960–61,while West Ham won the cupfour seasons later.In addition, West Ham was one of the three winners of the1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup.Both clubs were also aiming to end their decades-long trophy drought; Fiorentina were looking to win their first trophy since winning theCoppa Italia 22 years earlier,while West Ham's most recent major title came in the1979–80 FA Cup,when they became the most recent non-top flight side to win the tournament.[9]
This was Fiorentina's fifth European final, having won the Cup Winners' Cup in1961as well as losing the1957 European Cup,the1962 European Cup Winners' Cup,and the1990 UEFA Cupfinals. With this, they became the first team to reach the finals of all major UEFA club competitions.[note 1][10]
This was West Ham's third European final, having won the Cup Winners' Cup in1965as well as losing the1976 European Cup Winners' Cup final.[11]They were the English team with the longest European major trophy drought—58 years since their latest triumph. Their defenderEmerson Palmieriwas aiming to become the first player to winall three currently existing major European trophies,having won the2018–19 UEFA Europa Leagueand the2020–21 UEFA Champions LeaguewithChelsea.
Venue
edit
The Fortuna Arena previously hosted the2013 UEFA Super Cup,as well as four matches at the2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship,including thefinal.
Host selection
editA bidding process was launched by UEFA to select the venues of the finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League for both2022and 2023. Associations interested in hosting one of the finals had until 20 February 2020 to submit bid dossiers.
The decision was originally scheduled to be made by the UEFA Executive Committee during their meeting on 3 December 2020.[12]However, UEFA later decided to reopen the bidding process after appointing the host for the 2022 final only. Member associations had until 30 September 2021 to confirm their intention to submit a bid, while the bids must be submitted by 23 February 2022.[13]Six associations expressed interest in hosting the final.[14][15][16][17]
| Country | Stadium | City | Capacity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Czech Republic |
Fortuna Arena | Prague | 20,800 | Hosted2013 UEFA Super Cupand matches at2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship |
 Greece |
Agia Sophia Stadium | Athens | 32,000 | Under construction |
 Israel |
Teddy Stadium | Jerusalem | 31,733 | Hosted2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship |
 Northern Ireland |
Windsor Park | Belfast | 18,614 | Hosted2021 UEFA Super Cup |
 Slovakia |
Tehelné pole | Bratislava | 22,500 |
The UEFA Executive Committee appointed the Fortuna Arena as the host during their meeting inVienna,Austria, on 10 May 2022.[18][6]
Route to the final
editNote: In all results below, the score of the finalist is given first (H: home; A: away).
 Fiorentina
|
Round |  West Ham United
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Qualifying phase | Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Twente
|
2–1 | 2–1(H) | 0–0(A) | Play-off round |  Viborg
|
6–1 | 3–1(H) | 3–0(A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opponent | Result | Group stage | Opponent | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 RFS
|
1–1(H) | Matchday 1 |  FCSB
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3–1(H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 İstanbul Başakşehir
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0–3(A) | Matchday 2 | Silkeborg
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3–2(A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Heart of Midlothian
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3–0(A) | Matchday 3 |  Anderlecht
|
1–0(A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Heart of Midlothian
|
5–1(H) | Matchday 4 | Anderlecht
|
2–1(H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| İstanbul Başakşehir
|
2–1(H) | Matchday 5 | Silkeborg
|
1–0(H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RFS
|
3–0(A) | Matchday 6 | FCSB
|
3–0(A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Group Arunners-up
Source:UEFA |
Final standings | Group Bwinners
Source:UEFA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Knockout phase | Opponent | Agg. | 1st leg | 2nd leg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Braga
|
7–2 | 4–0(A) | 3–2(H) | Knockout round play-offs | Bye | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sivasspor
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5–1 | 1–0(H) | 4–1(A) | Round of 16 |  AEK Larnaca
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6–0 | 2–0(A) | 4–0(H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lech Poznań
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6–4 | 4–1(A) | 2–3(H) | Quarter-finals | Gent
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5–2 | 1–1(A) | 4–1(H) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Basel
|
4–3 | 1–2(H) | 3–1(a.e.t.) (A) | Semi-finals | AZ
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3–1 | 2–1(H) | 1–0(A) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-match
editIdentity
editThe original identity of the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League Final was unveiled at the group stage draw on 26 August 2022.[19]
Ambassador
editThe ambassador for the final was former Czech internationalVladimír Šmicer,who won the2000–01 UEFA Cupand2004–05 UEFA Champions Leaguetitles withLiverpool.[20]
Ticketing
editWith a stadium capacity of 18,000 for the final, a total amount of 13,000 tickets were available to fans and the general public, with the two finalist teams receiving 5,000 tickets each, and with the other tickets being available for sale to fans worldwide viaUEFAfrom 21 to 28 April 2023 in four price categories: €125, €85, €45, and €25. Accessibility tickets for disabled spectators cost €25. The remaining tickets were allocated to the local organising committee, national associations, commercial partners, and broadcasters, and to serve the corporate hospitality programme.[21]
Violence
editPolice arrested more than 30 people after a group of West Ham fans were attacked by ItalianUltrasdressed in black. The violence erupted in the morning of 7 June 2023 in theOld Town Squarearea of Prague. Police said the men were wearing face coverings and carrying chains and other weapons.[22]
Match
editSummary
editFirst half
edit
West Ham started quickly asLucas Paquetáplayed a pass intoMichail Antonio,but his shot was easily saved byPietro Terracciano.Shortly after, Fiorentina'sRolando Mandragoraunleashed a shot from distance that was well wide. Fiorentina caught a break afterDeclan Rice's shot was just wide of the post following a long throw that the Italians failed to clear. Fiorentina began to control the tempo from this point, and had a chance whenNikola Milenković's header went over the bar from a corner.Saïd Benrahmawent down near the edge of the Fiorentina box, but instead of drawing a free kick for the Hammers, he received the first yellow card of the match for simulation.
Ten minutes before the halftime whistle, the match was halted when Fiorentina captainCristiano Biraghiwas hit by cups and other objects thrown by the West Ham fans. Biraghi was bleeding from the back of his head, but after receiving medical treatment he continued to play.[23]Fiorentina won successive corners, but West Ham dealt with them and prevented Fiorentina from capitalizing.Tomáš Součekhad a header in the box cleared byLuca Ranierinear the end of the half. Fiorentina had the best chance of the half right before the halftime whistle.Alphonse Areolapushed a header fromChristian Kouaméonto the post, where it fell toLuka Jović,who got enough on his header from the rebound and Areola could not prevent it going over the line. However, Jović was in an offside position when Kouamé touched the ball, and the goal was quickly disallowed. Both teams went into halftime having created few chances, but Fiorentina had dominated possession, looked the better team, and very nearly secured the lead.
Second half
edit
Fiorentina made the first substitution a minute into the second half, with Jovic leaving the pitch and being replaced byArthur Cabral.Nayef Aguerdbecame the second player booked after a high challenge on Mandragora in the 53rd minute. The Italians got their first shot on target, but Areola easily claimed the shot from Kouamé. West Ham broke the game open in the 60th minute, when a long throw into the box was controlled byJarrod Bowenbefore going out for a goal kick amid strong penalty appeals from Bowen and other West Ham players. After a VAR check by refereeCarlos del Cerro Grandeshowed that Biraghi had flicked his hand on to the ball, the penalty was given to the Hammers. Benrahma's penalty into the top right corner sent Terracciano the wrong way, and gave West Ham a 1–0 lead. Both teams made changes shortly after; West Ham replacedKurt ZoumawithThilo Kehrer,and Fiorentina's Kouamé was replaced byRiccardo Saponara.
West Ham's lead was short lived.Nicolás Gonzálezwon an aerial duel againstEmerson,and headed the ball down forGiacomo Bonaventurawho controlled it well with one foot and fired past Areola with the other into the far corner to equalise for Fiorentina. West Ham nearly responded to retake the lead, as Antonio was slipped in by Paquetá, but could not finish the chance, and the flag went up for offside. Benrahma was subbed off forPablo Fornalsshortly after. Milenkovic was booked after bringing down Paqueta, joining Mandragora as a cautioned Fiorentina player. Ranieri was replaced byIgor Julioin the 80th minute. West Ham had another chance that was ruled offside, this time it was Soucek who failed to beat Terracciano.Sofyan Amrabatreceived a yellow card for his tackle on Emerson in the 85th minute. Amrabat had a chance from a West Ham turnover, but he failed to beat Areola. In the 90th minute of the game, with stoppage time imminent, Paquetá intercepted a ball in midfield, and played a through ball to Bowen who had only Terracciano in the Fiorentina goal to beat. Bowen lifted the ball over the leg of Terracciano and although the goalkeeper got a slight touch to the ball, the shot went into the net, reclaiming the lead for West Ham in the final moments of normal time. This was enough to give the Hammers a 2–1 victory and their first UEFA Europa Conference League title.[24][25]
Details
editThe "home" team (for administrative purposes) was determined by an additional draw held after the quarter-final and semi-final draws.
          Fiorentina[4]
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    West Ham United[4]
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:[2]
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Match rules[26]
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Statistics
edit
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|
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Post-match
editAfter the game Fiorentina president,Rocco Commissodescribed West Ham as treating Fiorentina players "like animals" afterLuka Jovićcame off at half-time with a broken nose and Cristiano Biraghi received a bloodied face after being hit by an object thrown from the crowd.[28] UEFA later charged both clubs with "throwing of objects" with West Ham being charged with "invasion of the field of play" and Fiorentina being charged with the "lighting of fireworks".[29]West Ham supporters were banned from attending the club's first away fixture of their 2023-24 Europa League campaign. The club was also fined €50,000 after supporters threw objects onto the pitch and a further €8,000 for a pitch invasion following the game.[30]Fiorentina were given a one-match ban for away supporters and were fined €30,000.[31]
On 8 June thousands lined a route from theChampions StatuetoStratford Town Hallas West Ham players took part in an open top bus parade to show the trophy and celebrate the win.[32]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^European Cup/Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup/Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League.
- ^Each team was given only three opportunities to make substitutions, with a fourth opportunity in extra time, excluding substitutions made at half-time, before the start of extra time and at half-time in extra time.
References
edit- ^ab"Jarrod Bowen named official UEFA Europa Conference League final Laufenn Player of the Match".UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 7 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^abcdefg"Referee teams appointed for 2023 UEFA club competition finals".UEFA. 22 May 2023.Retrieved22 May2023.
- ^ab"Full Time Summary Final – Fiorentina v West Ham United"(PDF).UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 7 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^abc"Tactical Lineups – Final – Wednesday 7 June 2023"(PDF).UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 7 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"International match calendar and access list for 2022/23".UEFA Circular Letter.No. 51/2021. Union of European Football Associations. 19 July 2021.Retrieved5 November2021.
- ^ab"UEFA EURO 2024 match schedule approved".UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 10 May 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham: Bowen arrows Hammers to glory".UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 7 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"Fiorentina 1–2 West Ham United: Jarrod Bowen goal decides Europa Conference League final".BBC Sport.7 June 2023.Retrieved8 June2023.
- ^"Europa Conference League final: Everything you need to know as West Ham play Fiorentina".BBC.6 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 13 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"Fiorentina focus – a look at West Ham's Europa Conference League final opponents".KeepUp.au.6 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 9 June 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"Fiorentina vs West Ham final facts".UEFA.UEFA. 22 May 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 22 May 2023.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"EPO plans to submit bid to host UEFA Europa Conference League final".AGONAsport.28 December 2019. Archived fromthe originalon 18 May 2021.Retrieved12 August2020.
- ^"Invitation to bid for 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League final".UEFA Circular.No. 55/2021. Union of European Football Associations. 26 July 2021.Retrieved3 November2021.
- ^"Konferenční liga s vrcholem v Praze? V roce 2023 chce finále šest zemí"[Conference League with a peak in Prague? In 2023, six countries want the final].iDNES.cz(in Czech). 5 October 2021.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"ΑΕΚ: Κατατέθηκε ο φάκελος για τον τελικό του Conference League 2023 στην «Αγιά Σοφιά – OPAP Arena»"[AEK: The file for the final of Conference League 2023 was submitted to "Agia Sofia – OPAP Arena" ].gazzetta.gr(in Greek). 10 February 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"Europa Conference League: Irish FA bids to host final at Windsor Park".BBC Sport.5 April 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"UEFA – Slovenský futbalový zväz sa uchádza o usporiadanie finále Európskej konferenčnej ligy"[UEFA – Slovak Football Association is bidding to host the final of the European Conference League] (in Slovak).Slovak Football Association.6 October 2021.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"UEFA Executive Committee agenda for Vienna meeting".Union of European Football Associations. 5 May 2022.Retrieved5 May2022.
- ^UEFA (26 August 2022)."2023 UEFA Europa League and 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League finals identities unveiled | Inside UEFA".UEFA.Retrieved26 August2022.
- ^"Meet our 2023 finals ambassadors".VOLT.13 January 2023.Retrieved27 May2023.
- ^"Ticket sales for 2023 UEFA club competition finals launched".UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 21 April 2023.
- ^"Dozens arrested after West Ham fans attacked in Prague bar ahead of Europa Conference League final".Sky News.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"West Ham condemn fan behaviour after Fiorentina's Biraghi hit by object".Reuters.Retrieved8 June2023.
- ^Steinberg, Jacob (7 June 2023)."Jarrod Bowen strikes at the last to earn Conference League glory for West Ham".the Guardian.Retrieved8 June2023.
- ^"Bowen strikes late as West Ham United win the UEFA Europa Conference League!".West Ham United F.C.8 June 2023.Retrieved8 June2023.
- ^"Regulations of the UEFA Europa Conference League, 2022/23 Season".UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 1 May 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^abc"Team statistics"(PDF).UEFA.Union of European Football Associations. 7 June 2023.Archived(PDF)from the original on 17 June 2024.Retrieved7 June2023.
- ^"West Ham 'animals' in final - Fiorentina president".BBC Sport.8 June 2023.Retrieved9 June2023.
- ^"West Ham charged by Uefa for incidents in final".BBC Sport.9 June 2023.Retrieved9 June2023.
- ^"West Ham fans banned for one European away game".BBC Sport.21 June 2023.Retrieved21 June2023.
- ^"UEFA punish Fiorentina and West Ham after Conference League final fan trouble".Football Italia.21 June 2023.Retrieved22 June2023.
- ^"Thousands of fans watch West Ham trophy parade".BBC Sport.8 June 2023.Retrieved9 June2023.
External links
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