Sports International West Ham win Europa Conference League

There are moments in football that make you forget the bad stuff.

They make you forget the idiots who throw things at players, make you forget the players who roll around on the floor as if they had been wounded when, in fact, they have barely been touched.

Football creates moments that make you forget.

By the side of the pitch at Fortuna Arena, with West Ham’s celebrations in full swing after beating Fiorentina 2-1 to win the Europa Conference League, manager David Moyes saw his dad.

He went straight over, gave him the firmest of hugs and placed round his neck the winners’ medal he had been given by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

David snr is 87. His son is 60. They both grinned from ear to ear. The joy on their faces was something to behold. A dad with his lad, someone who has proved himself to be successful in the most unforgiving of professions, finally, after 25 years, winning something.

“He was the first one I thought I should get it [the medal] round his neck,” said Moyes. “I hope he is enjoying it.”

No-one from West Ham will ever forget 7 June 2023. The club’s first trophy in 43 years. Their first European trophy since 1965 and the days of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.

As captain Declan Rice said in the build-up to the game, beating

Fiorentina in Prague would make them legends. That is the status they earned with Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute goal. The moment that made people forget the bad stuff.

Nevertheless, when the euphoria has subsided and the joy is replaced by satisfaction, then will come the tricky bit.

HOW DO YOU MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS?

‘WE DREAMED OF THIS’

In the first official statement released by the club after the final whistle, chairman David Sullivan referred back to that contentious decision to leave Upton Park, where Thursday’s victory parade will leave from, for London Stadium.

“When we moved to the new ground, we dreamed of moments like this,” he said.

“Our task now is to build on this triumph, and the doublewinning feats of our Under-18 Academy team, ensuring that every time our men and women start a new season in West Ham United colours, they are competing for more success.”

Fine words. Far harder to implement.

For a start, West Ham are going to lose their captain. It was typical of how Rice has given everything for the club that he should be fully involved in the post-match celebrations.

No-one could accuse him of holding back and saving himself for a big-money move in the summer. “I love this club, I love playing for this club,” he said afterwards.

But West Ham know an exit is coming, even those thousands of fans who chanted ‘one more year, Declan Rice’ before, during and especially after the victory.

Moyes’ own future has been under intense scrutiny at times this season. On three separate occasions, he appeared to be one defeat from the sack, only to get the result he needed to make it through another week.

The Scot made it clear what he wanted in a pre-match interview when he said he had no intention of going anywhere. It would be a particularly harsh call for Sullivan to tell Moyes his services are no longer required, given what he has just delivered.

It doesn’t seem likely.

“When I think of the progress West Ham have made in the last three years, sixth, seventh, a European semi-final and now a European trophy, if I had said that would happen three years ago, you would have said ‘he’s lost his marbles’,” said Moyes.

“I am really fortunate at this club. They have been incredibly supportive, when it could have been different.” (BBC)

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has agreed terms on a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid.

French striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies - including five Champions Leagues and four La Ligas - in 14 years with Madrid but they agreed to let him leave his contract a year early.

He scored 354 goals for Real, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Ronaldo, who hit 450 Real goals, plays for another Saudi club, Al-Nassr.

“It’s a good league and there are many good players,” said Benzema. “Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend which shows Saudi Arabia is starting to further progress its level. I am here to win, like I did in Europe.

“I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project.”

Al-Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

Benzema played 648 times for Real after his 2009 move from Lyon and scored with his last touch for the club, netting a penalty in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao before being