West Ham United crowned Conference League champions

By Peter Ochieng

English Premier League (EPL) side West Ham United are the 2023 UEFA Conference League champions.

The Hammers beat Italian side, Fiorentina 2-1 in the final in Prague, Czech Republic on Wednesday night to win the firs major trophy in 43 years.

Said Benrahma's penalty put coach David Moyes's charges ahead in the 62nd minute, before Giacomo Bonaventura levalised matters five minutes later.

The match was surely headed for extra time, before Jarred Bowen scored the winner in the 90th minute, courtesy of a Lucas Paqueta assist.

Manager Moyes ran down the touchline to celebrate his first managerial career trophy, in a long journey that has seen him operate in dug outs of several clubs, among them Everton and Manchester United.

The win seals West Ham's spot in the Europa League next season.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano said it is a shame that they lost.

"We played well, had chances, immediately equalised after a penalty that could have finished us. We reacted, we had a great chance with Mandragora. Then with a ball contested in the middle, we did not make the right movement in defence, and it was all over," he told the press as quoted by BBC.

West Ham captain Declan Rice addressed his his future at the club.

"At the moment there's a lot of speculation going on about my future. There is interest from other clubs but ultimately I still have two years left at West Ham. I love this club, I love playing for this club. There hasn't been nothing yet. My focus is playing for West Ham at the moment. I'm captain of this club and I can't speak highly enough of this place. Let's just see what happens. Let's wait and see. Who knows."

With Europa League and Conference League finals done, the focus is now on Champions League final pitying Manchester United against Inter Milan on Saturday.