The Viborg fans are making plenty of noise here. Their hardcore fans are called the Shamrock Ultras I'm lead to believe.

West Ham lose the ball 40 yards from their goal - maybe it is a foul but it isn't given - and Viborg work the ball to Jay-Roy Grot, who drills a shot just wide from outside the box. Their first chance.

This feels very much like a Europa Conference League qualifer.

Image source, Getty Images

Jarrod Bowen is a bit slow in getting the ball out to Vladimir Coufal on the left and the Czech's ball back to Bowen in the box is cut out.

Viborg don't look overawed on what must be one of the bigger games in their history.

Angelo Ogbonna is involved again and crunches down ex-Leeds striker Jay-Roy Grot in the centre circle.

Heartbreak for Linfield, who led RFS 2-0 in Latvia with two minutes to go but ended up drawing 2-2.

They have the second leg in Belfast next week to go.

West Ham right-back Harrison Ashby feeds Manuel Lanzini, who takes it in his stride but then runs into trouble in the box.

This would have counted. Jarrod Bowen cuts in from the right wing, sees the keeper a yard off his line and curls the ball just wide of the far post. That would have been a beauty.

Flag goes up so this wouldn't have counted but...

Gianluca Scamacca's shot is deflected and then saved by the keeper and Jarrod Bowen, who was offside, clips the ball against the far post.

The corner is just too high for Swiss defender Nicolas Burgy to get a header on target.

Viborg win an early corner and their 600 or so fans are loving it.

The Viborg keeper comes rushing out of his box but West Ham can't take advantage and Gianluca Scamacca's crossfield ball is a bit too floaty and not quick enough.

Early touch for West Ham defender Angelo Ogbonna, on his first appearance in nine months, to stop a dangerous through ball.

West Ham's 11th season in Europe begins.

David Moyes watches from the stands.

Image source, Getty Images

Jacob Friis has won 14 of his 25 games in charge of Viborg since taking over in February.

"A big and exciting task awaits - not only against a Premier League team, but also a team that played in the Europa League semi-finals and did well in the Premier League last season," he said.

"It is indisputably an extremely difficult task ahead of us but we are really looking forward to it. We have to be sharp and are aware that we have a huge task ahead of us.

"A goal must be that the tie is still alive after the first match. We need luck to be on our side. If all that happens, it can start to look like something for us."

Image source, Reuters

West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola made 11 of his 18 appearances last season in Europe.

He joined on a permanent move from PSG this summer, having been on loan.

“It’s a good opportunity for everyone to play in Europe again,” he said.

“We will do our best to get to the final and win the competition. I am here to give my best to help the team. Any opportunity to do that - I’ll be ready.”

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BBC London

If you have BBC Radio London on a DAB radio, you can listen to live radio commentary of this game tonight. Enjoy.

Emma Jones
BBC London

It’s another season of European football for West Ham. But where does it sit in their list of priorities?

They came so close to reaching the Europa League final last season, and so close to qualifying for that competition again. So will it feel like they are “only” playing in the Europa Conference League this time?

Unsurprisingly Jose Mourinho enjoyed lifting the trophy with Roma. And obviously no club or player is going to turn down the opportunity to win a piece of silverware.

However, last season’s efforts took their toll on the West Ham players. A familiar story for any team that has a good run in Europe.

That balancing act, as they no doubt chase a top-six finish in the league, and maybe a domestic cup too, will be an interesting one to watch.