West Ham have reached our first European final in 47 years after overcoming AZ Alkmaar to set up an epic showdown with Fiorentina in Prague on 7th June.

It was a night of high emotion with our Hammers aiming to go a step further than last season, having lost at the Semi-Final stage in the Europa League, but there was a feeling this year it was different.

Having taken a 2-1 lead from the 1st leg to Holland, West Ham went into the fixture as favourites to advance, but in the firm knowledge that the home side would put up a real fight.

AZ Alkmaar did just that with a hostile atmosphere from the off, but West Ham were well organised and resolute in our play, with the counter-attack system in full swing which gave an edge that David Moyes’ side would wrap up the victory early on.

The once-again impressive Lucas Paqueta came close when he fired a curling effort beyond the keeper but was denied by the post, giving hope that a goal would arrive.

Despite plenty of possession from the home side, West Ham frustrated AZ with a strong and commanding display which they simply struggled to break down.

Chances weren’t aplenty but it was much about taking them when they arrived is what mattered – and our Hammers did exactly that.

In injury time, with no more nails left to bite, Pablo Fornals burst through the AZ defence to fire past the goalkeeper to send West Ham to the final amid incredible scenes as history was made.

There was sadly unsavoury scenes from the home supporters as ‘ultras’ stormed the West Ham players’ family enclosure which lead to much disturbance off the pitch – but it didn’t stop our players from eventually celebrating wildly with the fans.

ExWHUEmployee, who was at the match, couldn’t contain his delight and emotion at seeing West Ham reach the final of the Europa Conference League and be 90 minutes away from lifting our first major trophy in 43 years.

“I was going to pretend I didn’t cry last night at the game but now I’ve seen that Mark Noble did I’ll confess that I did too,” admitted Ex. “This club means so much to all of us and we have waited so long for anything like this. I don’t want to get too carried away yet because we still have the final to play but we are on the brink of creating history here.

“I thought the team did brilliant yesterday and everyone one of them should be walking around so proud but focused on that final now!”