Thilo Kehrer’s excitement rises ahead of the chance to achieve his West Ham goal
Thilo Kehrer has urged his team to write their names into the West Ham history books by winning the Europa Conference League final. The Hammers face mid-table Serie A side Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night with the aim of lifting their first major piece of silverware for 43 years. The 1980 FA Cup was their most recent major trophy while their solitary success in Europe was clinching the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. Kehrer is determined for West Ham to finish the job at the end of a rollercoaster season that produced a 14th-placed finish in the Premier League. “Making history is being in the final, we know that. Now our focus and vision is completing the goal,” Germany defender Kehrer said. “I said it at the beginning of the season without knowing how the season would go, bringing a title to West Ham is a big goal. “We have the squad and quality to do it, so we’re very confident going into this final. We’re focused completely on the final. “You can feel the excitement of the fans and everybody around the club. There’s great excitement and for us players it’s great to be in that place. We’re enjoying it and will prepare to the best of our abilities. “We feel the support of every one of our fans. We are aware of all the people who are supporting us, they are behind us and cheering us on. We are very glad about that. We are taking that energy with us to Prague. “We’re happy for everyone who will be at the stadium but also for everybody around back here, we’ll give our best for them.” West Ham’s 10-day gap between the climax to the Premier League season and their European final enabled David Moyes to take the squad to Portugal for a short training camp. Apart from fine tuning their preparations for next week’s Eden Arena showdown, the players were given the freedom to play golf and visit a local water park. “We had some time together in a different place to usual, which helps to mix things up,” Kehrer said. “We relaxed a little bit but it also gave us some time together to regroup. We will try to use it as an advantage. “We’ve bonded well as a group this season. We used the last few days to grow even more and get even more team spirit so that everyone is focused on the goal.” Kehrer’s form since his £10million move from PSG last summer has been patchy, but the 26-year-old insists he has learned during his first season at West Ham. “I’ve taken some experience from the differences of the Premier League to other leagues – the intensity, the speed, the duels, the competitiveness,” he said. “This season I’ve become more complete by feeding off that experience. I can’t wait for what’s coming next.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ange Postecoglou agrees to leave Celtic for Tottenham – reports Kasatkina hits out at French Open crowd over booing after defeat to Svitolina Kane, Mbappe and Osimhen – A look at Real Madrid’s possible striking targets
1970-01-01 08:00
NBA Finals: Miami Heat come alive in fourth quarter to edge past Denver Nuggets and tie series
The Miami Heat leveled the NBA Finals with a crucial road win against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.
1970-01-01 08:00
Charlton owner Thomas Sandgaard agrees to sell club to SE7 Partners
Charlton have announced that owner Thomas Sandgaard has agreed to sell the club to SE7 Partners. A share purchase agreement has been signed and the two parties are now working with the EFL as they seek approval for a takeover of the League One outfit. Charlton CEO Peter Storrie told the club’s official website: “A deal has been agreed and a share purchase agreement has been signed by Thomas Sandgaard and SE7 Partners. “We’ll now work with SE7 Partners and the EFL to meet the league requirements, which is a process that can take some time. “In the meantime, the day-to-day running of the club will not be impacted. Our preparation and recruitment for the 2023/24 season is well under way. We have our targets for our men’s team and our women’s team. “Led by Dean Holden and Karen Hills, those plans continue to progress and will not be halted while we await the approval. “The aim is to put the club in the best position to achieve our targets for next season – a top-six finish for the men’s team and further progression for the women’s team.” Former Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven and banker Edward Warrick are listed at Companies House as directors of SE7 Partners Limited. Charlton finished 10th in the third tier last season, 15 points adrift of the play-off places. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
1970-01-01 08:00
Ange Postecoglou agrees to leave Celtic for Tottenham – reports
Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou appears to be moving towards a swift resolution of his future amid reports he has verbally agreed to become Tottenham’s new manager. Postecoglou admitted on Saturday that his ability to enjoy Celtic’s treble success would soon be disrupted by some decision-making and that seems to have happened even quicker than he anticipated. The 57-year-old dodged questions on his future before and after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final win over Inverness having emerged as the overwhelming frontrunner to take over at Spurs. Neither club are commenting publicly but reports claim Postecoglou told Celtic principal shareholder Dermot Desmond on Saturday night that he intended to leave for London and he is now said to be closing in on signing a two-year Spurs deal with the option to extend. When repeatedly pressed on his future after Celtic’s 3-1 Hampden win over Inverness on Saturday, the Greek-born Australian said: “I anticipate enjoying this moment for the next 24-48 hours, as long as I can, before someone drags me away and takes my attention away from enjoying something that’s been hard-earned. “The reality is, there’s probably players in that dressing room who won’t be here next year. That’s the nature of football. “But I want them to enjoy it, I am going to enjoy it, and that’s all I am going to focus on until someone grabs me by the collar and tells me that I have to answer certain questions.” The former Australia head coach has won five domestic trophies out of a possible six after arriving from Yokohama F Marinos in Japan and was linked with numerous Premier League clubs throughout this season. Postecoglou became a hero with the Celtic support, not just for resuming their success after a barren season, but also for implementing an attacking style of play and his connection with the fans. But he looks set to swap Glasgow for another rebuild job as Spurs finally look to appoint a permanent successor to Antonio Conte, who departed on March 26. Postecoglou is due to go on a family holiday on Tuesday and a deal could be finalised quickly. Former Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers has emerged as an unlikely favourite to succeed Postecoglou, four years after leaving the club mid-season to take over at Leicester. Assistant manager John Kennedy is also high up the list but reports claim Postecoglou hopes to take the former Celtic defender to Tottenham. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Kasatkina hits out at French Open crowd over booing after defeat to Svitolina Kane, Mbappe and Osimhen – A look at Real Madrid’s possible striking targets Football rumours: Manchester City look to tie down Erling Haaland to new deal
1970-01-01 08:00
Catch of the year? Aaron Judge crashes through door to make spectacular grab; misses next game with injury
Aaron Judge is no stranger to highlight plays. And on Saturday, he added to his already long list with a spectacular catch.
1970-01-01 08:00
Formula 1: Mercedes optimistic after significant progress shown at Spanish GP
Mercedes has come out of Formula One’s Spanish Grand Prix with increased confidence after showing significant progress and finishing ahead of Aston Martin and Ferrari
1970-01-01 08:00
Heat dominate Nuggets in 4th quarter of NBA Finals again, and this time get the win
It was a popular theme before the NBA Finals started — about how the Nuggets, an up-tempo team with fresh legs that could exploit the mile-high altitude in Denver, would have a good chance to wear down the Miami Heat
1970-01-01 08:00
Flirting with .400, Miami's Arraez getting due as elite MLB hitter
The calendar has turned to June and Miami’s Luis Arraez is flirting with a
1970-01-01 08:00
Golden Knights' Alex Pietrangelo gives new meaning to sacrifice, on and off the ice
Alex Pietrangelo spoke of sacrifice Sunday, and what it takes for an NHL player to continue his journey this far into the season
1970-01-01 08:00
Detroit Grand Prix aims to make track improvements for 2nd year on downtown streeets
The Detroit Grand Prix’s short, narrow and bumpy track took some shots a day before the race returned to streets downtown
1970-01-01 08:00
Jack Grealish panics as his £1,730 bag almost falls victim to Man City's changing room celebrations
Jack Grealish has left fans in stitches as he filmed the Manchester City changing rooms after their FA Cup final win - but his priorities didn't lie with the chaotic celebrations around him. The team's kit-man, Brandon Ashton, could be seen in the video sliding across the floor as the team cheered him on, but Grealish was more concerned that he was getting too close to his pricey Gucci backpack. "Aye watch my Gucci bag f****** hell!", Grealish shouts, leaping to protect the £1,730 bag, before brushing it down. Click here to sign up for our newsletters
1970-01-01 08:00
Transportation Department announces funding to improve dozens of train-car intersections
US federal officials are putting millions of dollars into fixing dangerous intersections where trains and cars meet.
1970-01-01 08:00
