two teams ready they hope to clear the final hurdle the routes to the stage
have been fascinating but now it is europa league final night and the fans are beginning
to pour into the stadium it's barcelona they take on west ham united and it's live
and the big night has arrived millions of viewers from around the world are tuning
in for the uefa europa league final my name is derek ray my co-commentator to help describe all
the action is the former arsenal and west ham player stuart robson and with the atmosphere
building to fever pitch we're just minutes away from kickoff time here it's barcelona
up against west ham united well derek this should be a top class game between two excellent teams
whoever gets control of that midfield area should win the game but i think this is too close to call
in central midfield and the idea is to have just the one striker up there
trying to pose problems for the opposition
and the starting lineup for west ham united
well on paper they look a very balanced team but the three advanced midfielders must at times make
runs beyond the center forward otherwise they might just lack a bit of penetration
it is the europa league final and they are underway
and west ham in a position of menace but a good piece of defending to bring it to an end
antonio
for now cross could be useful but he dealt with that ball played in rather well
well if you're the opposing defender you've really got to keep a weather eye on erling holland
what are you expecting to see from him in this game stuart well derek he's a great
all-round player but it's his ability to run in behind defenders that makes
him such a threat and when he gets 1v1 against the goalkeeper he usually scores
hold on now will they be able to play it in behind the defense
barcelona free kick it'll be here
and he whips it in well still an issue here and i think the threat has been averted
antonio in possession boeing
encouraging move from west ham and they've won the ball back following that challenge
holland setting off perhaps a little bit too much here
looking for that final pass looking for the goal that would put them ahead
a poor cross all things considered it's a barcelona corner
and over it comes no-nonsense clearance
this is looking stressing
tempeh
and just listen to their supporters
when you see this again the defending just isn't good enough the clearance doesn't get enough
height on it doesn't get enough distance on it and suddenly the ball is being played back into their
danger area and they don't reorganize themselves and that's why the ball's in the back of their net
nicely timed tackle
torres that needs an accurate cross
but he keeps going ferran torres back to holland dion can he do it he's blocked it
declan rice
rice with it
you can sense the threat as they're trying to take their time but not enough care on the ball
torres
on the offensive very comfortable when in possession could be troublesome
going about his defensive business with a minimum of fuss now the goal kick will be next
um
frankie dion
dembele the
oh great block
foul there free kick awarded
so inching towards half time on basa with the lead stuart what strikes you about what they put into
the first half well it's been a tight game so far but they've just had that little bit more
quality on the ball particularly in midfield where they've just started to take control
they'll be fairly happy going at half time if it stays like this options in the center rice
and the ruling is offside here
well adding up all the stoppages we will have two extra minutes
now they must exercise caution standing off as they are poland defensive efficiency personified
well the first 45 minutes have come and gone here in catalonia
the quest for europa league success and the second half of this final is underway torres
well pass after pass maybe they can chisel an opportunity
and the keeper throws himself up the ball
let's see about the delivery can they keep it out and the keeper was finally able to claim it well
what a great piece of goalkeeping firstly the save and then the recovery brilliant from him
well just couldn't keep the ball
sergio busquets and torres on the ball and beating the defender
but it looks highly promising but they got nothing out of it
before now's on the ball miguel antonio and that was a very fine read
frankie deyoung
reddit superbly to take back possession
theme emerging of wasted possession
elling horner accurate pass upon accurate plus
this looks interesting good-looking cross well the clearance half-hearted
sergio busquets and he takes on the shots well just over the crossbar excellent effort
there has been plenty of limbering up from
substitutes and now both sides will make personnel switches
jared bowen and on the ball vlasic
won it back
frankie deyoung ricky they do pass the ball with authority
shot attempted keeper getting the touch oh a great chance it was goalkeeper has it
well what a great save that was to keep them in this may just be the impetus they need
as they certainly haven't been at their best today
well visionary passing taking care of business defensively here
ricky puig
pk with it hold on moving the ball forward with purpose
hold on and now passing it through in it goes but it will not stand offside stewart well it
looked close didn't it he certainly thought so he's making that clear to the linesman now
now they are committed to making the substitution here
excellent defending
well that's how to break the spirit of the attacker 10 minutes left for play
creative look about this theon an incisive pass well-read to ease the pressure
always lost possession
and unable to keep the ball
got fiat
just over the bar really good effort
they will now make use of those banks
and there's the whistle this uefa europa league final
has been decided and my goodness they deserve it
disappointment on one side but sheer jubilation on the other
well relief and joy i would say what a great achievement this is
and so well deserved as you mentioned they were excellent tonight what a good performance that
was the party can certainly start now that's a party to last throughout the year i should think
i'm very happy to be celebrating good times in the europa league and now the trophy
awaits them well these are always great moments for any player this is the culmination of a great
tool that they've had they fully deserve this victory every player played his part tonight
this is what they wanted now it's in their possession the winners of the uefa europa league
well wonderful scenes the players are making the most of this it's been a
great competition for them i think they have every intention of making this last
as long as possible one more trophy left why not yes
and now they get to enjoy the moment with the fans who have made the journey here for the final
well they'll be loving this they really have backed their team throughout this competition
they have a great bond with the players don't they that's lovely to see
yes it is all about a shared experience these celebrations will run long into the night
you