Olympiacos Beat Fiorentina on Extra Time to Win The Europa Conference League

Olympiacos secured a historic victory by winning the 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League, defeating Fiorentina 1-0 in a thrilling final that went into extra time. The match took place at the Agia Sophia Stadium in Athens, Greece, on May 29, 2024. This triumph marked the first major European trophy for Olympiacos, making them the first Greek club to achieve such a feat.

The game was a tense affair, with neither side managing to break the deadlock in regular time. Both teams had their fair share of chances, but the defenses held strong, leading to extra time. In the 116th minute, with the match seemingly headed for a penalty shootout, Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi emerged as the hero. El Kaabi got on the end of Santiago Hezze’s cross and bundled the ball into the net, sending the Greek fans into raptures. The goal was subject to a lengthy VAR check for offside, but it was eventually awarded, sealing the victory for Olympiacos.

This victory was especially significant for Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, who had won the Europa League with Sevilla the previous season. Under his guidance, Olympiacos had managed to overcome tough competition, including a notable victory over Aston Villa in the semi-finals, where they won 6-2 on aggregate.

For Fiorentina, the defeat marked a second consecutive loss in the Europa Conference League final, having also lost the previous season’s final to West Ham. Despite their efforts and a strong run in the competition, they were unable to find the back of the net, with their best chance coming early in the game when Giacomo Bonaventura had a goal disallowed for offside.

The result not only brought joy to Olympiacos and their fans but also etched their name in the history books as the first Greek club to win a major European trophy. The match was a testament to the competitive nature of the Europa Conference League and the high stakes involved in European football competitions.