[West Ham United’](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-win-the-europa-conference-league/)s conference league success on 7th June 2023 was a once in a generation victory that mattered to every single person associated with the club- and pretty much nobody else. We didn’t care that it was the so-called ‘third tier trophy’ – that night in Prague, beating Fiorentina and lifting the first trophy for 43 years became etched in modern day Hammers folklore.
Chelsea line up tomorrow evening in the 2025 final tie against Spanish side Real Betis, which feature none other than Hammers’ medal winner in 2023 and the guy who fired us to the final – **Pablo Fornals**.
Fondly remembered for many things but especially for his semi final winner against AZ Alkmaar, Pablo has the opportunity to win the UECL twice in its short history.
Apart from the obvious Hammers’ rivalry meaning we’d instinctively support the West London side’s opponents, Fornals the former Hammer being in Betis’ side and a kind of hope that the tournament can be ‘unsullied’ by another English winner just yet to make ‘our’ win seem that bit more special for another year- makes it time to support the green and white Real Betis tomorrow.
Fornals draws parallels between the two sides when interviewed by [tntsports](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih218l_O35o) ahead of the final : ” _Betis could be the Spanish West Ham_,’ he says with a cheeky smile showing his continual affection for his former East London side.
Just for 48 hours then. ..”_Come on you Betis”_!