As the 20222/23 season draws to its conclusion across Europe, there were three West Ham United loanees still in action across another thrilling weekend of football.
Nathan Trott’s success with Vejle BK was undoubtedly the biggest story of the weekend among the trio, as the goalkeeper helped the side claim a 3-1 victory over Næstved, securing the Danish First Division championship!
Promotion back to the Superliga had been already secured at the first attempt, following Vejle’s relegation last season, and a win in Sunday’s clash would be enough to guarantee Trott and his teammates top spot, and therefore the league title.
Played amidst a festive, celebratory atmosphere at the Vejle Stadium, the home side took the early lead thanks to Miiko Albornoz, who calmly headed in from Arbnor Muçolli’s cross.
Academy of Football graduate Trott found himself untested in the opening 45 minutes, and Vejle grabbed their second finish through Saeid Ezatolahi. The Iranian headed in from a recycled corner, doubling the home side’s advantage.
It was only moments later that Trott was called into action for the first, real save in the match, and it was an outstanding reaction from the 24-year-old to deny Julius Madsen.
Vejle had their third not long after as Mucolli netted, completing a terrific solo run by firing into the far corner.
Næstved, for their part, were determined to at least trouble the hosts. Frederik Christensen would eventually squeeze an effort past Trott, although the shot-stopper would recover to make big saves to deny Andreas Nibe and Tarik Ibrahimagic.
As the full-time whistle blew, the Hammers goalkeeper was heavily involved in the celebrations as Vejle players celebrated their return to the Superliga with their home supporters.
Trott has now made 24 appearances and kept 14 clean sheets in all competitions during his loan spell with Vejle, who have two matches left to play in the Promotion Group before the end of the campaign.
In Serie A, Nikola Vlašić was named in the starting XI again for Torino as they fought from behind to claim a deserved 1-1 draw against West Ham United’s upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League final opponents – Fiorentina!
Vlašić, who has scored the only goal in the 1-0 win away to Hells Verona in the last fixture, was particularly lively in an otherwise quiet fixture at the Olimpico di Torino.
It was Fiorentina who took the lead, netting three minutes into the second half thanks to Luka Jović’s well-taken finish. But Torino stood firm against further Fiorentina pressure and would find a goal thanks to the work of an unlikely source.
Defender Alessandro Buongiorno sprinted down the wing and played in a low cross for Antonio Sanabria, who turned past goalkeeper Michele Cerofolini to level the match.
A share of the spoils puts Torino in tenth place with two games left to play in Serie A.
Croatian Vlašić has now featured in 35 games this season for Torino, playing a role in eleven goals.
Finally, Thierry Nevers was an unused substitute as Bradford City’s season ended in defeat in the EFL League Two play-off semi-finals to Carlisle United.
Bradford held a 1-0 lead from the first leg but Carlisle hit back on Saturday at Brunton Park, finding an early finish thanks to Brad Halliday’s own goal, which levelled the semi-final on aggregate.
Neither side was able to find another goal in normal time, although both teams would hit the woodwork, meaning extra time was required.
Carlisle scored a second in the first-half of extra time when Callum Guy's half-volley found the net, but their joy was short-lived as Bradford substitute Matt Derbyshire scored to once again level the contest.
There was late heartbreak for Nevers and his teammates, however, when Ben Barclay's header on 112 minutes secured the 3-2 win on aggregate for the home side.
Frenchman Nevers initially joined Bradford on loan in January and has made eight appearances for the Bantams this season.
