The Europa Conference League often provided a shining light in what was, at times, an incredibly testing season for West Ham United. They even had more wins in continental competition this term than they did in the Premier League - a first for any English club - with the most special victory of all coming on an historic night at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.
Some have mocked the competition since its formation two years ago, yet the clubs competing in it have done so wholeheartedly. The Europa Conference League has brought Jose Mourinho to tears and seen clubs enter new territory for their nations, with the emotion it inspires being fully displayed by both Fiorentina and West Ham when they booked their places in this year's final, especially as they had last won a major trophy in 2001 and 1980 respectively.
In La Viola's semi-final against Basel, Arthur Cabral's opener was followed by goals from Andy Diouf and Zeki Amdouni to leave the Stadio Artemio Franchi stunned. In the second leg, a Nicolas Gonzalez brace either side of another Amdouni effort took the game to extra-time. Just as it looked as though penalties would decide the tie, Antonin Barak calmly struck the winner that took Fiorentina to the final in his homeland.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av World Soccer.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines