Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

Declan Rice was on his own in position for the pre-match picture about 20 seconds before any of his team-mates.

I think the West Ham skipper is ready for this.

Image source, Reuters

The teams are walking out at the Stadio Olimpico.

Premier League referee Michael Olivier is in charge. He's currently wearing a body cam.

Is he preparing to keep a close eye on Jose Mourinho, who wore a microphone to "protect" himself against "the worst referee he'd ever seen" last week?

The Europa Conference League/Europa League anthem is growing on me.

It gets a great reception from the Hammers fans.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Getty Images

Heard on the radio that yesterday was seven years to the day West Ham played their last game at Upton Park.

Time flies, I can't picture West Ham not playing a home game at London Stadium now.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

The fire and light show doesn't work quite so well in late spring when it is still light at kick-off but West Ham are giving it a go anyway.

The obligatory bubbles are being pumped out as well.

That is followed by a rendition of 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' as the teams get ready to come out.

Image source, BBC Sport

Players are in the tunnel. Sounds like a great atmosphere.

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

I remember seeing the viral videos from when Roma won this competition last year, the scenes around the city.

It is easy to knock a competition from afar - everyone has badmouthed this almost third-tier Europa League situation - but regardless of that, if West Ham go on to win it, it's in their history.

They would be one of only six English clubs to win two European cups.

When you talk about the big clubs, your Man Utds, Chelseas and Liverpools, they would probably roll their eyes, but for everyone else this is an opportunity and a huge deal.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the London Stadium

West Ham need no reminding of what happened at this point last season.

After beating Sevilla and Lyon on their way to the semi-final of the Europa League, hopes were reasonably high they could beat German side Eintracht Frankfurt in the semi-final.

They conceded in the first minute, were never ahead in the tie and went out after having Aaron Cresswell sent off in the second leg.

They must not give AZ Alkmaar an early advantage tonight.

Dread it. Run from it. The Spurs banter always makes it into the BBC live text.

James Collins
Former West Ham defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

AZ Alkmaar are a strong team, fourth in the Dutch league, have drawn twice against Ajax this season, so it's going to be a tough night.

I wouldn't want to say that West Ham are outright favourites for this tie, maybe with my West Ham hat on, but they will not underestimate Alkmaar.

West Ham will be confident but will remain wary of their opponents.

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think there's a little bit less pressure on West Ham after that result against Man Utd last weekend.

They've got enough to get into a final. They've got more experience than last year, when they lost out to Eintracht Frankfurt [in the Europa League].

I feel they are a stronger outfit than Alkmaar at this moment in time. I expect them to burst onto the field tonight, and to try and put the tie to bed in this first leg.

Image source, Getty Images

The Hammers head into the game off the back of a confidence-boosting victory over Manchester United on Sunday, a win that moved them closer to Premier League safety in what has been a difficult league campaign.

"I think we have had two really successful years over the past seasons," Moyes said earlier this week. "This year has been a bit disappointing but in this competition, we have been excellent.

"I think we have big players who have played in big games and big competitions. This is as close to a big occasion as we can get to at the moment, and it is where you hope the big players stand up and showcase themselves.

"And, if we play as we have over the last couple of games, then we give ourselves every chance [of reaching the final]."

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

At this stage of his career, Declan Rice has almost, for want of a better word, outgrown the football club.

I think he should be playing in Champions League games and for a top six club.

He is a world star, and I think his star will only continue to grow and to shine

Image source, Getty Images

For Sevilla, many saw their Europa League quarter-final against Manchester United as a hopeless task.

Instead, it resulted in a brilliant 5-2 aggregate victory.

Now it's Juventus who they must to upset if they hope to build on the six Europa League titles between 2006 and 2020, including three in a row under Unai Emery from 2014 to 2016.

Juventus are second in Serie A and are hoping to reach their first European final since losing to Real Madrid in the 2017 Champions League final.

Their semi-final also gets going at 20:00 BST.

Image source, Getty Images

In the Europa League semi-finals Roma boss Jose Mourinho is relishing a reunion with Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

Mourinho was Alonso's manager at Real Madrid between 2010 to 2013.

Together, they won the La Liga title, Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup.

"I haven't seen him for a long time," said Mourinho. "We've always had a fantastic rapport, more than between a coach and a player."

Alonso, who took charge of Leverkusen last October, is also looking forward to facing Mourinho as a manager for the first time.

"Of course, it's special for me to play against him," said the former Liverpool midfielder.

"I had a great time with him and I learned a lot from him. Mourinho knows how to inspire a team and he was always a leader.

"I'm looking forward to seeing him, but when the game starts I will be completely focused on the events on the pitch and I will dedicate all my energy exclusively to working with my team."

Image source, Getty Images

Should they reach the final, West Ham will face either favourites Fiorentina or 20-time Swiss champions FC Basel who face off in their first leg in Switzerland tonight.

Fiorentina are playing in their first season in Europe since their 2016-17 Europa League campaign. This will be their first European semi-final since they lost 5-0 on aggregate to Seville eight years ago.

Basel have never reached a European final although they did lose to eventual winners Chelsea in the last four of the 2012-13 Europa League.

There's three other huge European semi-finals tonight.

Let's quickly talk about them and then we'll get straight back to West Ham chat.

Richard: Great to see Zouma fit and back . Just concerned at the amount of time Zouma and Aguerd have played together. 2 great individuals.... Can they click together in such an important game as this... I do hope so... COYI