ISTANBUL
The UEFA Europa Conference League semifinals are set to kick off Thursday, with Fiorentina to face Basel as both sides eye a spot on the final match.
The first leg between the Italian and Swiss teams will be refereed by Francois Letexier of France at Florence’s Artemio Franchi Stadium.
Fiorentina won the 1961 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup to become the first Italian side to lift a European trophy. They had a 4-1 win over Scotland’s Rangers.
The 2013 UEFA Europa League has been Basel’s greatest success story as they advanced to all the way to the semifinal.
England’s West Ham United will host Dutch opponents AZ Alkmaar at London Stadium in another semifinal clash.
Both matches will start at 1900GMT.
The second legs will be held on May 18.
The 2023 Europa Conference League final will be played at Prague’s Eden Arena on June 7.
