Olympiacos were looking to make home advantage count against Fiorentina in Athens in the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final.
It was a home advantage with a difference for the Piraeus-based club, who made the short trip to the AEK Arena — the stadium belonging to their bitter domestic rivals AEK Athens.
Olympiacos boss Jose Luis Mendilibar won the Europa League with Sevilla last season and Fiorentina were back in the final of the competition where they fell short in 2022/23.
Vincenzo Italiano's Viola were attempting to win a first European trophy since lifting the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup in 1960/61 — their only success in five attempts in UEFA finals.
MORE: Do UEFA Europa Conference League winners qualify for the Europa League?
Who won the 2024 Europa Conference League final?
Olympiacos won the 2024 UEFA Europa Conference League final. They beat Fiorentina 1-0 in Athens after extra time to become the first Greek side ever to win a major European title.
After a competitive but somewhat tense first 90 minutes, in which clear-cut chances were at a premium, the Greek side struck the decisive blow with five minutes of additional time remaining. Ayoub El Kaabi timed his run across the Fiorentina box well to meet a bouncing cross from Santiago Hezze and nod the ball into the net, sparking delirium in the stands.
History made! Olympiacos become the first Greek team to win a European title 🇬🇷👏 pic.twitter.com/I4Zof2LnDt
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 29, 2024
Olympiacos survived a spate of pressure in the closing stages to see out a famous victory — the 47-time Greek champions had never before won a major European trophy — while coach Mendilibar celebrated more continental success just a year after leading Sevilla to Europa League glory.
For Fiorentina, it was more heartbreak. La Viola lost to West Ham in last season's showpiece and have now failed to win five of the six UEFA finals in which they have played.
Previous Europa Conference League winners
Roma won the inaugural Europa Conference League in 2022/23, with Nicolo Zaniolo scoring the only goal for Jose Mourinho's side in a 1-0 win over Feyenoord, who were led by new Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Fiorentina fell at the final hurdle last season, losing 2-1 to West Ham as England forward Jarrod Bowen netted a last-minute winner.
