West Ham fans are getting out their passports after the club booked a place in the Europa Conference League Final, one year on from when they narrowly missed out on a Europa League showpiece against Rangers.
The Hammers overcame Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 3-1 on aggregate to qualify for the tournament’s final, which will be held at the Fortuna Stadium in the Czech Republic.
Pablo Fornals ensured West Ham’s presence at the showpiece final with an injury time goal to win 1-0 in the Netherlands after David Moyes’ side had won 2-1 in London.
They will face off against iconic Italian outfit Fiorentina in the final in Prague and Rangers fans will surely be wishing the West Ham support all the best when it comes to the showpiece event on June 7th.
Rangers karma as West Ham Conference League Final bound
This comes after the help afforded to Rangers fans by West Ham supporters who had booked flights and accommodation heading into last season’s Europa League Final.
While they eventually lost their semi-final to Eintracht Frankfurt, Hammers fans who’d taken the chance on qualification sold their travel and accommodation to Rangers supporters desperate to make it to Seville.
It was a classy touch from the West Ham fans who, even in defeat, lent their support to the travelling Rangers contingent, and there’s certainly a feeling of karma in the aftermath of last season’s Seville disappointment.
While the Europa Conference League is European football’s third tier competition, and the Europa League the second, West Ham fans have got something huge to look forward to heading into the summer.
Rangers supporters, still grateful for the support afforded them by the Hammers last year, will surely be cheering the Londoners on as they reach a first European Final in 47 years.
The last time West Ham played in a European showpiece was back in 1976, where they were beaten 4-2 by Belgian outfit Anderlecht in the Cup Winners’ Cup Final in Brussels.
