space for emotions.

Players and fans have taken a lot of time for it.

The London Stadium was long since empty when the 3,000 Eintracht supporters in the Sir Trevor Brooking stands were still cheering their favorites.

All well-known songs were intoned with full fervor - and the victorious players were right in the middle.

Another magical evening of football, another unity that seems to outdo itself in the Europa League and isn't afraid of big names.

Two weeks ago that epic 3: 2 away at Camp Nou at FC Barcelona.

Now the 2: 1 in the former London Olympic Stadium with the workers from West Ham United.

Ralph Weitbrecht

sports editor.

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United, united – that was the unity again that evening.

The fans sang of "Europe's best team", which of course is far too exaggerated.

But in the Europa League, in Europe's second most important football competition, the Frankfurters are really a force.

So far, coach Oliver Glasner's team has not lost a game.

Group stage, quarterfinals – everything went perfectly.

Just like the first leg in the semifinals at the Hammers.

"I'm very proud of my team," said Glasner at a late hour in the packed press room of the big arena.

“What really impresses me is how we get out of the dressing room.

Because we are brave and play forward."

The early opening goal played well into Eintracht's cards.

It only lasted fifty seconds, then Ansgar Knauff hit his head.

And when later Daichi Kamada also scored (54th minute) and West Ham only managed to equalize by Michail Antonio (21st), the next big football night was perfect.

"We played well," praised Markus Krösche.

"It was a very intense game, it wasn't that easy," added the sporting director, just to warn against over-hasty optimism.

"We're in a good position now, but it's only the first leg."

The English are not to be trifled with

In the quarter-finals, it was 3-0 away at Olympique Lyon that secured West Ham progress after a 1-1 draw in the first leg.

In other words, these Englishmen are not to be trifled with.

But Eintracht managed to stop the Hammers' thirst for action in their first meeting since that cup-winning semi-final in 1976.

One of the reasons why things really went as hoped for Eintracht on this rousing evening of football was the overall package.

"We found very good solutions in our own ball possession," said coach Glasner.

Again and again the ball circulated handsomely through their own ranks, again and again they looked for playful means.

Certainly: Martin Hinteregger also decided from time to time in London to hit the ball quickly and uncompromisingly out of his own danger zone in moments of danger.

But most of the time the defense chief was looking for the freestanding next-door man.

The Austrian often found Almamy Touré.

The Frenchman, who turned 26 on Thursday, gave himself the best birthday present by doing what was required of this semi-final: play well and stay focused.

Touré sometimes tends to be careless, but not in this game and not on this evening.

It made sense what he did as a deputy at left-back for the suspended Evan Ndicka.

"Almamy enjoys our complete confidence," said Glasner.