Aoba Tanaka 
Athens, Greece — May 2024 — Ayoub El Kaabi etched his name into Olympiacos history by scoring a dramatic late goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final. This triumph marks Olympiacos as the first Greek side to ever win a European trophy, a landmark achievement celebrated fervently by their supporters.
El Kaabi, the Moroccan striker who had been pivotal throughout Olympiacos run to the final, delivered when it mattered most. With just four minutes remaining in extra time, he stooped low to head in a precise cross from Santiago Hezze. The goal, confirmed after a tense video assistant referee check, was El Kaabi’s 11th of the competition, sealing a momentous win at the AEK Arena in Athens.
This victory was particularly poignant for Fiorentina, who suffered a second consecutive year of heartbreak in the final, having been defeated by West Ham in a similar fashion last season. The Italian side’s hopes were dashed once more by a late goal, despite their valiant efforts throughout the match.
Olympiacos started the match with great intensity, driven by the passionate support of their fans who made the short journey from Piraeus. The match, hosted at the home stadium of their rivals AEK in northern Athens, saw Olympiakos eager to deliver on their fans’ fervor.
Despite the promising start, both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the first half. Daniel Podence, on loan from Wolves, tested Fiorentina’s goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano with a strong effort early on, while Giacomo Bonaventura’s tentative attempt for Fiorentina was easily saved by Konstantinos Tzolakis.
The second half showcased the best move of the night from Fiorentina, as right-back Dodo’s surge forward and pass to Christian Kouame nearly broke the deadlock. However, Kouame’s poor contact allowed Tzolakis to make a crucial save.
As the match extended into extra time, the tension escalated with both sides wary of conceding. Just as the game seemed destined for a penalty shootout, Olympiacos pushed forward in a final attack. El Kaabi, who had already proven his mettle by scoring five goals in the semi-finals against Aston Villa, rose to the occasion once more.
His well-placed header from Hezze’s cross sparked wild celebrations among Olympiacos fans and secured a historic victory for Greek football. Olympiakos’ triumph was even more remarkable considering their underdog status against a Fiorentina team determined to avenge last year’s final loss.
This victory is a milestone for Greek football, marking only the second time a Greek team reached a European final. The previous occasion was Panathinaikos’ appearance in the 1971 European Cup final, where they were defeated by Ajax at Wembley.
Olympiacos win not only breaks new ground for the club but also signals a new era of ambition and achievement for Greek football on the European stage. Ayoub El Kaabi’s journey, which has taken him from Morocco to China, Turkey, Qatar, and now Greece, culminates in this historic achievement, forever embedding his name in Olympiakos folklore.
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