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regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Europa Conference League final: Olympiacos do Greece proud, gets first major European trophy

In a match that was high on intensity and physicality but low on quality in front of goal, neither side could find the net in the regulation 90 minutes before El Kaabi netted the winner in the 116th minute

Reuters Athens Published 31.05.24, 11:40 AM
Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi (left) hugs coach Jose Luis Mendilibar after winning the Europa Conference League in Athens on Wednesday

Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi (left) hugs coach Jose Luis Mendilibar after winning the Europa Conference League in Athens on Wednesday Reuters

Olympiacos beat Fiorentina 1-0 after extra time in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday when a late winner from Ayoub El Kaabi gave the Greek club their first major European trophy.

They are also the first club from Greece to win a major European trophy.

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In a match that was high on intensity and physicality but low on quality in front of goal, neither side could find the net in the regulation 90 minutes before El Kaabi netted the winner in the 116th minute.

With the game headed to a penalty shootout, El Kaabi got in front of his marker to head home Santiago Hezze's cross but the players and fans had a long, nervous wait for VAR to check for offside before the goal was awarded.

It was the Morocco striker's 11th goal in the Conference League this season, all of them in the knockout stages, and 16th in Europe after he also scored in the Europa qualifiers and group stage.

The trophy presentation was also a moment to treasure for Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, who won the Europa League with Sevilla last season and took over the Greek club only in February.

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