OLYMPIACOS made history by becoming the first Greek club to win an absolute European trophy, one year shy of its centenary!
But damn, they had to go through some pain to make a place in the record books.
Hitman Ayoub El Kaabi scored his goal of the season by pushing away his shadow, Fiorentina defender Nikola Milenkovic, before diving in to head in a cross from Santiago Hezze.
But the Moroccan, who made a living cleaning carpets and selling salt, endured an agonizing wait as VAR took a few minutes before signaling that he marginally agreed.
That, regardless, gave wealthy Greek owner Evangelos Marinakis something to celebrate after a frustrating season marked by point deductions and VAR controversies with his other club, Nottingham Forest.
For once, the big man smiled at VAR despite everything discovered in his favour to start the day in the port city of Piraeus.
For Fiorentina, it was their second final defeat in 12 months after last season’s last defeat to West Ham, with the Italians opting in the evening to draw for the third time in 28 European matches.
Both clubs came into this final full of confidence and had better attacks than defenses.
At first, it seemed that those two men were in a position to fight, instead of sitting back and absorbing the pressure.
However, despite a promising start, the action was temporarily over and we had to deal with a tactical stalemate for most of the night.
BEST FREE BET SIGN-UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Olympiacos were the first to threaten in the 4th minute, when Wolves loanee Daniel Podence tested Pietro Terracciano with a low shot that the goalkeeper made to deflect for a corner.
Fiorentina’s reaction was swift and the damaging Nicolas Gonzalez split the Greeks, setting up Christian Kouame, whose failed attempt fell to Andrea Belotti, who missed his shot.
The Italians thought they had taken the lead in the minutes when Cristiano Biraghi took a short corner and crossed.
Defender Nikola Milenkovic gave the impression of throwing the ball past Kostas Tzolakis, but he had drifted out of play and VAR ruled referee Artur Dias right to send him off.
Giacomo Bonaventura was given a golden opportunity, but he meekly stepped aside, allowing Tzolakis to give the ball away.
At the other end, Terracciano had to watch carefully to shut out Podence’s header near the post after a corner kick by Chiquinho.
In the build-up to the match, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano asked how he planned to prevent Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi from scoring 32 goals.
“We carry chains and padlocks with us,” he replied.
And his defenders limited the Moroccan, who had five goals in two games against Aston Villa, to just three touches in the first hour.
Fiorentina created chances and Gonazalez squandered a wonderful opportunity, cutting his shot wide when only Tzolakis could beat.
Terracciano then bravely got rid of El Kaabi as the striker waited for the ball to fall on him just before the break.
There was no selection among the groups that had 50% ownership in the first half.
Somehow, José Luis Mendilibar had to bring on his striker El Kaabi, who needed the ball.
But it was Fiorentina who made the most of the urgency and Milenkovic went wide of Arthur’s corner.
Kouame then came close to surprising Tzolakis with a makeshift shot that flew off the turf and threatened to make a curve until the Greek goalkeeper acrobatically saved him.
Olympiacos hit back with André Horta’s free-kick that former Leicester City midfielder Vicente Iborra nodded in as Tarracciano struggled.
But the score had still dried up by the time the game went to extra time.
Substitute Stevan Jovetic came close to scoring against his former club with a curling shot that he finished brilliantly through Terracciano.
And Tzolakis made a save to keep Jonathan Ikone out.
But the last word went to El Kaabi, who scored his eleventh goal at the festival with a fairytale ending.
STAY informed this summer with The Sun’s moving experts.
Chelsea have secured permission from Leicester for Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool and Chelsea are a summer move for Crysencio Summerville.
The Premier League clubs include Tosin Adarabioyo, who will be a free agent when his contract with Fulham expires next month.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the offers, gossip and exclusives.
©News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. 679215 Registered Office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. “The Sun”, “Sun”, “Sun Online” are registered trade marks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. This service is provided under News Group Newspapers’ Limited’s popular terms and conditions, in accordance with our Privacy and Cookie Policy. To inquire about a license to reproduce material, please visit our distribution site. Check out our online press kit. For other inquiries Contact Us. To view all of The Sun’s content, please use the site map. Sun’s website is regulated through the Independent Press Standards Organization (IPSO).