Olympiakos achieved a historic milestone by emerging as the inaugural Greek team to secure a European club competition victory when they triumphed over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final held in Athens.
The match exhibited intense physicality but lacked quality in front of the goal, resulting in neither team scoring during the regulation 90 minutes. It was only in the 116th minute of extra time that Ayoub El Kaabi’s decisive goal, a result of his skilful maneuvering to connect with Santiago Hezze’s cross, ended the deadlock. This late triumph marked Olympiakos’ first major European trophy, sparking euphoric celebrations in Piraeus.
Conversely, it signified a consecutive defeat in the Europa Conference League final for Fiorentina, despite their impressive unbeaten streak leading up to the summit clash this season. Earlier in the game, the Italian side believed they had secured an early lead, only to have a goal disallowed for offside. The first half concluded goalless, with little goalmouth action, and both teams squandered opportunities to score. The pivotal moment arrived when El Kaabi, who had already been instrumental in Olympiakos’ journey with his exceptional performance in the semi-final against Aston Villa, secured his 33rd goal of the campaign, solidifying his status as a key player for the team.
With a long VAR check eventually confirming Olympiakos’ victory, the club’s success was further underscored by the fact that their coach, Mendilibar, had previously guided Sevilla to Europa League glory. This memorable achievement stands as a testament to Olympiakos’ resilience and determination, especially considering their coaching changes earlier in the season, and undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the club’s illustrious history.
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