Olympiacos created history by winning the Europa Conference League title with a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina in Athens. The Greek club secured their first-ever European trophy thanks to Ayoub El Kaabi’s header in the 116th minute of extra time.
The stage was set for Olympiacos, as they had already defied expectations with a shock win over Aston Villa in the semi-finals. They were determined to become the first Greek club to win a UEFA competition. Adding to the significance of the occasion, the match took place at the AEK Arena, their rival’s home ground, and coincided with the 20th anniversary of Greece’s unexpected triumph at the European Championships.
On the other hand, Fiorentina aimed to avoid a repeat of last season’s disappointment when they lost in the Conference League final to West Ham. Both teams started the game with great intensity, with chances being created early on. Daniel Podence, on loan from Wolves, saw his curling effort tipped wide by Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano, while Andrea Belotti missed a good opportunity for the Italians by firing into the side netting.
Fiorentina thought they had taken the lead in the ninth minute when Nikola Milenkovic found the back of the net from a corner routine. However, their joy was short-lived as the offside flag was raised.
Throughout the match, both goalkeepers were kept busy. Konstantinos Tzolakis, Olympiacos’ keeper, made crucial saves to deny Giacomo Bonaventura and Belotti. Terracciano, on the other hand, had to be alert to keep out a powerful corner kick from Podence and endured a heavy collision with El Kaabi.
The second half was a tense affair with few clear-cut chances. Milenkovic headed wide from a corner for Fiorentina, while Christian Kouame’s scuffed shot forced a difficult save from Tzolakis. Olympiacos came close to breaking the deadlock when Vicente Iborra’s header from a free-kick narrowly missed the target.
With the score remaining goalless, the match went into extra time. Olympiacos started the additional half-hour strongly, with former Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic forcing a great save from Terracciano. As fatigue set in, the quality of the game declined, and penalties seemed inevitable.
However, in the 116th minute, Santiago Hezze delivered a wicked cross that found its way to El Kaabi. The forward managed to hold off his defender and bundle the ball into the net from close range. There was a brief delay as VAR checked for a potential offside, but eventually, the goal stood, allowing players and fans to celebrate.
This victory for Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League final showcased their determination and resilience against tough opposition. It solidifies their place in Greek football history and provides a platform for further success in European competitions.