Olympiacos Hoist the Europa Conference League Trophy
Olympiacos would win the Europa Conference League Final after one of the most exciting finals we have seen. In a match that was back-and-forth with a major emphasis on defensive positioning, the Greek side used the help of their home fans in Athens to find the drive to score a late winner in the 116th minute. The heartbreak for Italian side Fiorentina would settle in. Meanwhile, the joy for Olympiacos would just start.
Olympiacos Hoist the Europa Conference League
Throughout the first half, this match started out like a track meet with both teams working the counterattack to find any half chances. With the major chance coming from Fiorentina in the first half with a cross from Cristiano Biraghi played into the penalty area, Nikola Milenkovic gets a slight touch to put the ball in the back of the net. The referee, however, had other plans, putting his flag up to signify an offside from the Italian side. While the tempo settled down just a bit, the chances for La Viola came in bunches in the first 45 minutes of play. Andrea Belotti and Giacomo Bonaventura were the men in charge, looking for that go-ahead goal, which was far to come. The only opportunity Olympiacos had was when Portuguese native Daniel Podence thought he had a clear chance on goal, which was then denied by Pietro Terracciano. The high-flying first half would end in a deadlock, with many opportunities left on the table.
When the teams came out for the second half, a tempo change was in store for the Greek side. While playing with a high tempo and utilizing their press, they confused Fiorentina for much of the first batch of minutes into the second frame. For Olympiacos, essentially being the home side while playing in Athens would benefit them from a spectator’s perspective. With the Greek ultras chanting, cheering their team on for a chance at goal. Fiorentina was mainly dominating the second half, consistently putting shots on the net and running the flanks. While the deadlock was still at 0-0 heading into the 90th minute, we would see this final head to extra time.
Deadlock After Ninety
In extra time it was a very tight start, with both teams trying to find the crevice in the opposition's defense. At this late point in the season, stamina would become an issue for both teams playing through the 120 minutes. The game would open up throughout extra time, with both teams pushing for a potential winner when on the attack. This would leave gaps in the defense which Olympiacos would try to expose. The call for a handball in the box came in the 93rd minute, where it was deemed Lucas Martinez Quarta’s hand was in a proper position. Moments later it was an outstanding save by Terracciano, as Stevan Jovetic curled one into his path.
It seemed both teams would be comfortable letting this one be decided by penalties as the match went on. Both teams would strategically utilize their substitutions, trying to change the formation to find the inevitable winner. That winner would come moments later, and create pandemonium in Athens. After a loose ball, it fell to Santiago Hezze of Olympiacos, who curled a ball into the box and marksman Ayoub El Kaabi got a head on it to get it past Terracciano. The VAR would take a look at the goal, where it was assured El Kaabi was not in an offside position. Jubilation would erupt for Olympiacos, as they knew they were one step closer to winning the final. The panic would start to settle in for Fiorentina as time was running out, and the clock would later strike midnight on their magical run. Olympiacos would win the Europa Conference League, and now many of their players will look forward to the 2024 Euros.
