Olympiacos beat Fiorentina to claim UEFA Europa Conference League

Ayoub El Kaabi struck a winner deep into extra time as Olympiacos defeated Fiorentina in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Athens to claim Greece’s first senior men’s European title.

The final was a tense affair that looked destined for penalties when Ayoub El Kaabi, who has impressed in Europe this season, scored the winning goal in the 116th minute. Santiago Hezze’s whipped cross found the 30-year-old Moroccan, who expertly converted from close range.

The first 115 minutes were a frenetic wrestle for supremacy, with plenty of hard work but not always a lot of attacking threat. There were chances at both ends throughout, though, with the best of the first half both falling to Giacomo Bonaventura. The 34-year-old Italian, who scored in Fiorentina’s defeat in last season’s final, failed to take advantage this time around.

Fiorentina’s lack of firepower in front of goal has been a problem for them all season and it continued to haunt them here. By the end of the first half they had mustered nine attempts on goal to Olympiacos’s two; by the 64th minute those tallies remained unchanged as the sides cancelled each other out.

Both teams were showing caution and neither were prepared to take too many risks. Christian Kouamé failed to connect properly when well placed, and Vicente Iborra’s header went narrowly wide. The final drifted into extra time and looked destined for a penalty shootout until El Kaabi pounced.

“I feel immense joy and happiness that I have helped make the [Olympiacos fans] feel this way; I dedicate this victory to them. I am happy we have achieved something our club have never done before. We’re going to celebrate it properly and then we’re going to start working on what comes next,” said José Luis Mendilibar, Olympiacos coach.

Conference League winners

2022: Roma
2023: West Ham
2024: Olympiacos