On the morning of May 30, Fiorentina lost 0-1 to Olympiacos in the Conference League final.
After 90 minutes without a win, Fiorentina and Olympiacos went into extra time. Minute 94, Fiorentina’s number 28, Lucas Quarta, touched the ball in the penalty area after an Olympiacos player put the ball in. The Greek representative asked referee Soares Dias to stop the match and consult VAR.
Mr. Soares did blow the whistle, but it was to show two yellow cards to Stefan Jovetic and Olympiacos’ reserve goalkeeper Alexandros Paschalakis for reacting fouls.
Greek football team fans expressed their dissatisfaction, but then burst into tears when Ayoub El Kaabi flew to head the ball, defeating Fiorentina goalkeeper in the 115th minute. The first strike belonged to Santiago Hezze with an accurate cross from the left wing.
The little time left is not enough for Fiorentina to turn the situation around. In the 120th minute, the goal was very close to the Italian representative. Ikone swung his leg to score from less than 5 meters away, but a defender in a red and white striped shirt was able to roll over to block it.
The final whistle sounded and players from both teams shed tears. For Olympiacos, it was tears of happiness after winning the first European Cup championship in its 99-year history. El Kaabi and his teammates were even the first Greek team to win the European Cup.
In addition, the Conference League crown also gives Olympiacos a ticket to the upper division tournament, the Europa League in the 2024/25 season.
On Fiorentina’s side, many of coach Vincenzo Italiano’s students burst into tears before the match even ended. This was the second consecutive defeat of “La Viola” in the Conference League final. Last season, they lost to West Ham.
If including the UEFA Cup (predecessor of the Europa League), Fiorentina has failed in all three European Cup finals in history.
Contrary to Fiorentina’s ironic situation, Olympiacos coach Jose Luis Mendilibar won his second consecutive European Cup championship. Last season, he and Sevilla won the Europa League.
