May 30, (THEWILL) – Greek Giants Olympiacos made history by winning the UEFA Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina on Wednesday night. The Piraeus club defeated the Italian side 1-0 after extra time in Athens to lift their first-ever major European cup. Ayoub El Kaabi’s late strike proved decisive as Olympiacos finally got their hands on continental silverware.
Despite being one of the most successful domestic clubs in Greece with 47 league titles, Olympiacos had never previously won a senior European trophy prior to this triumph. Their path to glory saw them overcome English Premier League side Aston Villa in the semi-finals, with El Kaabi netting a crucial hat-trick in the first leg.
Manager Jose Mendilibar masterminded the success having only taken over in February. The Spaniard repeated his feat from last season when he guided Sevilla to Europa League glory. Olympiacos will now participate in the 2025 Europa League as a reward.
For Fiorentina, it was despair once again in the Conference League final having also lost out to West Ham in the 2022/2023 showpiece. Vincenzo Italiano’s men went through the entire tournament unbeaten until the decider in Athens. The Viola still have European football to look forward to next term, however, qualifying for the Conference League again.
Olympiacos’ victory writes a new chapter in Greek football history. Their first continental trophy at senior level is a momentous achievement for the club and the players and fans will remember this for a long time.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
