The Europa Conference League: A Competition Worth Fighting For

West Ham just won their first trophy in 43 years.

The sympathetic might spare a thought for Fiorentina, who were not only the better team but were still recovering from their Coppa Italia loss to Inter two weeks ago. Football can be cruel.

In fact, Jared Bowen’s 90th-minute goal (another agonising feature of the loss) was one of the few clear-cut chances the Hammers created. Still, it was a beautiful moment, as a team steeped in history and beset by recent troubles finally secured something worth shouting about. 

So for West Ham and the fans, it was a night to remember. More importantly, though, it demonstrated precisely why we have the Europa Conference League in the first place, a competition which faced unfair derision, not helped by a woefully unimaginative name.

A Skirmish

The match itself wasn’t much to comment on, mind you. Its bad-tempered nature stifled fluidity rather than bringing a competitive edge – this atmosphere epitomised when Cristiano Biraghi needed patching up early on after being hit with an unidentified projectile. 

Commentators quickly commented on how ‘good’ the West Ham fans had been in the build-up. But, when a lack of negatives draws plaudits from pundits, it demonstrates the realistic concerns of thousands of Hammers descending upon Prague, the mecca of laddy stag do’s and cheap beer.

Fiorentina’s first shot on target in the 57th was quickly followed by goals from both teams, twenty or so minutes of Italian pressure, and then Bowen’s smash-and-grab. An hour-long slog with a flourish at the end. Hardly a great advert. But, it wasn’t the football per se that struck me as significant, but a team battling relegation winning glory.

The Europa Conference League

Last season, West Ham were beaten by Frankfurt in the Europa League. Following a good run, the gulf in quality was demonstrated, as the eventual winners comfortably defeated the Hammers. 

It’s been a fairly typical story in Europe’s second-tier tournament. Smaller clubs get to the latter stages and lose to mid-large-sized teams, who’ve sometimes dropped down from the Champions League and often have significant European experience. Or they just get beaten by Sevilla, who have won the competition a staggering five times in ten years.

Sadly, this leaves little room for the little guys, which is why the Europa Conference League is so important. Without it, many clubs have little realistic chance of securing silverware, often languishing between mid-table mediocrity and a half-hearted attempt at champions league places.

A Mixed Future

West Ham’s triumph has shown that there is glory on the table, and while there are those who will sneer at the Europa Conference League, the sheer elation on the faces of the players and manager shows this competition means something. 

Declan Rice is undoubtedly on his way out, and a rebuild awaits the Hammers. But with Europa League Football secured, they sit in a fantastic position to attract fresh talent and build on a mixed but ultimately successful season. Let’s just hope the bubbles don’t burst.