Premier League team Westham United emerged victorious over Serie A side Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference league final played yesternight in Eden Arena, Prague.
Jared Bowen's goal saw Westham seal a historic win in the dying minutes of the match to secure a 2-1 win over Fiorentina and get themselves a European trophy for the first time since 1965 and a first silverware since the 1980's FA cup final.
Fiorentina were the dominant team in the first half of the final and nearly took the lead minutes before the half time break when a header from Christian Kouname hit the post. Striker Luka Jovic did score the rebound with a perfect header but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Westham United eventually were the first team to open the scoring in the 62nd minute when Said Benrahma slotted home a penalty after Fiorentina captain, Christiano Biraghi was penalized for a handball. The lead was short lived as Fiorentina replied with an immediate goal four minutes later through Giacomo Bonaventura.
The game was heading to extra time as the teams were in 1-1 draw until Lucas Paqueta did find Bowen with a brilliant pass from midfield in the 90th minute. Bowen raced past the defense and slotted past Pietro Terracciano to score his 13th goal of the campaign.
Bowen told BT Sport:" I thought I was going to cry; you always say you want to score in the last minute and to do it in front these fans tonight, I am so happy and over the moon for that".
"I think in my position, you make a run of that type many times and getting the ball is once in a while. As soon as you get hold of it, you've to score". he spoke.
Westham coach David Moyes did become the first Scottish coach to win a UEFA competition since 2008 when Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson won his second Champions league title. Moyes whose job was at risk as the team was fighting a relegation battle and in doubt going into the final left the pitch a happy man and club legend having led the team to European success and is more likely to retain his role.
The Hammers secured themselves a European competition slot next season in the Europa league with the win helping them qualify for the Europa League 2024 campaign having finished in the bottom half of the English premier league this season. The London side finished 14th in the league but went unbeaten throughout their European journey winning 12 out of the 13 games in the tournament.

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Joseph Okwisia

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