West Ham arrive in Prague ahead of Europa Conference League final
West Ham stars arrive in Prague ahead of their Europa Conference League clash with Fiorentina… as the Hammers hope to return home with silverware in their first European final in 47 years
- West Ham face Italian side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final
- It’s their first European final since losing in the Cup Winners Cup back in 1976
- They aim to win their first trophy since clinching the FA Cup 43 years ago
West Ham stars have arrived in Prague as they hope to return back to British soil with their first European trophy in 47 years.
The Hammers face Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League at the Fortuna Arena – home to Slavia Prague – on Wednesday evening.
There is not only a trophy at stake, as a victory for the Hammers will seal them a return to the Europa League next season.
David Moyes and his staff departed their Rush Green training ground after a morning session and headed for London Stansted Airport.
As they walked towards the flight, captain Declan Rice looked stern-faced, as he hopes to deliver the club a trophy in what could be his final game for them.
West Ham stars board the flight to Prague ahead of their Europa Conference League final with Fiorentina
Declan Rice looked like he meant business as he boarded the flight, as he looks to win a trophy in what could be his final game for the Hammers
The plane landed at the Vaclav Havel Airport in a wet Prague on Monday evening
David Moyes and his side then boarded a bus to the team hotel in the heart of the city
The Hammers will be hoping to lift this trophy at the Fortuna Arena in Prague on Wednesday
Said Benrahma was all smiles as he acknowledged the camera, while he and the rest of his team mates posed for a photo at the steps of the airplane.
They arrived in Czechia on Monday evening after a 110 minute journey to Prague’s Vaclav Havel Airport. They were then met by two coaches to take the team to their hotel in the heart of the city.
The Hammers have not competed in a European final since they lost to Anderlecht in the Cup Winners Cup back in 1976.
Their only triumph in the final of a European competition came in the Cup Winners Cup against
Should they defeat Fiorentina it would be their first piece of silverware since lifting the FA Cup back in 1980.
The club has an allocation of around 6,000 at the 19,360 capacity Fortuna Arena, but up to 20,000 are expected to make the trip.
Supporters without tickets will be able to watch the game at a fan zone area in Letna Park which has been designated for Hammers fans.
West Ham captain Rice will be hoping to lift a trophy in what is expected to be his final game for the club – amid interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Said Benrahma was all smiles as he posed for the camera ahead of boarding their flight
West Ham players walk onto the plane to fly out of Stansted Airport on Monday afternoon
They left the plane in a wet Prague to head to their team hotel in the heart of the city
West Ham will qualify for next season’s Europa League should they prevail against Fiorentina
While there are strong links with the Gunners, Mail Sport earlier today reported that a move might be difficult for Manchester United given the finances needed and the fact that they are favourites to land Chelsea’s Mason Mount for around £55m.
West Ham stars showed no signs of pressure ahead of the big final, as they were allowed time to unwind at a water park and golf course during a week of training in Portugal last week.
Rice was pictured in a golf cart with Flynn Downes in the middle of a round of golf, and the players later spent a sunny afternoon in the Algarve at a water park, posing for group pictures and trying out the rides.
On a boat ride, the team were in high spirits, singing fan chants for Said Benrahma and Kurt Zouma as they twisted through the waterways.
The players’ warm-weather training camp in Portugal is an effort from the coaching staff to get the squad ready for the final whilst treating them to a change of scenery to move the side on from the Premier League season and onto the challenge ahead.
West Ham never looked in contention for the European places this season, after a decline in form saw them drop to 14th in the Premier League.
However, they could still end the season with European football secured for next campaign should they defeat Fiorentina – who finished eighth in Serie A.
Source: Read Full Article