Olympiacos made Greek history by becoming the first Greek club to win a major European trophy with a thrilling 1-0 extra-time victory over Fiorentina in the Conference League final. The triumph marks a monumental achievement for the club and its passionate supporters.
Historic Victory in Extra Time
Olympiacos’ striker Ayoub El Kaabi, who has had a stellar first season in Greece, secured the victory with a dramatic header in the 116th minute. Santiago Hezze delivered the decisive cross, and El Kaabi’s goal ignited celebrations among Olympiacos fans at the Agia Sophia Stadium. However, their joy momentarily paused as they awaited a tense VAR check, ultimately confirming the goal.
Heartbreak for Fiorentina
The defeat was a painful repeat of last year’s final loss to West Ham for Fiorentina. Despite being undefeated in this season’s tournament, they couldn’t overcome Olympiacos’ resilience. Striker Stefan Jovetic, a former Fiorentina player, expressed mixed emotions after the match. “First [European title] for Olympiacos and first for me,” Jovetic told TNT Sports. “I’m proud of my guys. You saw the atmosphere here. I think we did great all year, and we deserved this.”
Jovetic also extended his sympathy to Fiorentina, acknowledging their remarkable journey to the final for two consecutive years. “It’s a shame for them. They gave their best, and I wish them all the best,” he added.
Jubilant Celebrations in Piraeus
Fans erupted in wild celebrations in Piraeus, Olympiacos’ home city. Thousands gathered in the streets, setting off fireworks and lighting red flares. Jovetic shared his excitement, saying he “can’t wait” to join the festivities. “The atmosphere here was amazing, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with our fans back home,” he said.
Remarkable Turnaround Under Mendilibar
The victory highlights the remarkable turnaround orchestrated by Olympiacos’ Spanish head coach, Jose Luis Mendilibar. Mendilibar, who led Sevilla to the Europa League title last season, took charge of Olympiacos midway through the season and transformed their fortunes. Despite a difficult start to the campaign, Mendilibar’s leadership guided the team to an unlikely appearance in the final.
Journey to the Final
Olympiacos’ path to the final was simple. After a 4-1 home defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv in the round of 16, the team mounted a spectacular comeback with a 6-1 victory in the second leg. This was followed by a penalty shootout win against Fenerbahce in a notoriously hostile environment and a triumph over Aston Villa in the semifinals.
El Kaabi was instrumental throughout the tournament, finishing as the top goalscorer with 11 goals in nine games. His performance in the semifinals against Aston Villa, where he scored five goals across two legs, was awe-inspiring.
Looking Ahead
Olympiacos’ historic win secures their place in next season’s Europa League, offering another opportunity to compete on the European stage. The victory is a testament to the team’s resilience and determination and sets a new benchmark for Greek football.
This triumph brings joy to Olympiacos fans and inspires future generations of Greek footballers. As the celebrations continue, the club looks forward to building on this success and achieving even greater heights in the coming seasons.
