Taking a look back at a classic West Ham United moment on this day in history, in association with Heineken...
West Ham United claimed an Intertoto Cup title 24 years ago today, on 24 August 1999.
Having finished a record-high fifth in the Premier League at the end of the 1998/99 season, Harry Redknapp’s side could have expected to qualify automatically for the UEFA Cup.
However, with only one automatic qualification spot available through league placing, Leeds United were joined in the UEFA Cup by FA Cup runners-up Newcastle United and League Cup winners Tottenham Hotspur.
That left the Hammers to enter the UEFA Intertoto Cup, a summer competition for clubs, with three winners progressing to the UEFA Cup first round.
West Ham kicked-off their challenge on 17 July by beating Finnish outfit Jokerit 1-0 at the Boleyn Ground.
A 1-1 draw in Finland saw the Hammers through to a semi-final with Dutch team Heerenven, where 1-0 victories in both legs set up a final meeting with French club Metz, who had finished tenth in Ligue 1 the previous season.
A 1-0 home defeat left Redknapp’s side’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Cup hanging by a threat, but a thumping strike from Trevor Sinclair, a trademark finish from Frank Lampard and Paulo Wanchope’s goal eleven minutes from time completed a memorable turnaround in front of a 19,599-strong crowd at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.
Enjoy that game again in the video player above.
