In a significant development, after their acquisition from Roman Abramovich, London's Chelsea Football Club clinched their first championship title.
Tournament Review: Chelsea Triumphs in Conference League Final
In the record-breaking finale of the Conference League, Chelsea emerged victorious against Real Betis, securing the first-ever European trophy for an English club in all five major European club competitions. The match took place in Polish Wroclaw, with Chelsea clinching the title with a 4-1 win.
Insights into the Conference League
Initiated in 2021, the Conference League marks the third level of European club football, replacing the Cup Winners' Cup. The tournament structure was revised to meet modern requirements, particularly in the commercial sector. The inaugural edition was won by Italian side Roma, coached by José Mourinho.
In the following years, West Ham and Olympiacos were the champions, while Fiorentina endured two consecutive defeats in the finals. The most recent edition saw West Ham and Fiorentina competing for the title, with West Ham securing the victory.
Progress and Performances
Chelsea qualified for the Conference League as the sixth-placed team in the English league, while Real Betis secured their spot as the seventh-placed team in Spain. Both teams' advancement to the final was a significant achievement, given that reaching such heights is uncommon for Real Betis, and Chelsea had faced challenges following a change of ownership from Roman Abramovich to Todd Boehly three years prior.
The teams started at the last stage of the qualifying round. Real Betis overcame Ukrainian side Kryvbas without much effort, while Chelsea faced a tougher battle against Swiss side Servette.
In the group stage draw, both teams were placed in the first pot, with Chelsea receiving a top seed. This positioning helped them sail through the tournament with six wins and a first-place finish in the table of 36 participants, while Real Betis ended up in 15th place.
Match Breakdown and Financial Implications
The final was a close contest, with Real Betis taking the lead early in the first half through forward Ezaballuli. However, his departure due to a muscle injury in the second half marked a turning point, as Chelsea responded by putting pressure on the flank where Ezaballuli operated and ultimately scored four unanswered goals.
Chelsea's victory put an end to a remarkable streak of Spanish teams that had remained undefeated in European Cup finals against teams from other countries for over two decades.
In terms of financial rewards, the Conference League's amounts are not substantial for top clubs. Chelsea collected €11.2 million in total, while Real Betis earned €8.66 million. The difference lies in the significance of these earnings for each team's annual income, with Chelsea's Conference League prize money accounting for only a few percent, while it represents over 15% for Real Betis.
The victory for Chelsea in the Conference League final signifies their entry into an exclusive club as the first English team to clinch a European trophy in all five major leagues, including football. This achievement was particularly noteworthy since the Conference League, initiated in 2021, serves as the third tier of European club football, replacing the Cup Winners' Cup.
The 2022-2023 season of the Conference League saw football teams like West Ham and Real Betis competing for the title, with West Ham securing the victory, marking their third appearance in the final for the competition. Meanwhile, Real Betis, a Spanish team, managed to reach the final, which is an impressive feat given their usual performance in European leagues.
