UEFA Europa Conference League Final LIVE: Olympiacos are European champions after beating Fiorentina 1-0
Olympiacos and Fiorentina meet in the Conference League Final tonight
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Olympiacos and Fiorentina lock horns at OPAP Arena in Athens today for the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The fixture in the Greek capital has the makings of a classic, with both teams having plenty to prove... for different reasons.
Olympiacos are in their first ever European final and are playing at the home ground of one of their biggest rivals - AEK Athens.
Fiorentina on their other hand have made the Conference League Final for the second consecutive season, falling just short last year against West Ham, courtesy to a last minute goal by Jarrod Bowen.
Olympiacos had to go through a very messy season to get here, which included three different managers.
They finished third in their Europa League group, dropping into the round of 32 in the Conference League.
They beat Ferencvaros 1-0 both home and away, before going up against Robbie Keane's Maccabi Tel Aviv and losing 1-4 at home.
The Greek giants performed a miracle turnaround and won 1-6 in extra-time away, to qualify for the quarter-finals, where they faced off against Fenerbahce.
There they beat the Turkish side on penalties, after Konstantinos Tzolakis saved three spot kicks.
This secured them their first appearance in a European semi-final in their 99-year history, matching up against Aston Villa - the tournament favourites.
In a huge upset, the "Legend" stunned Villa in Birmingham, coming away with a 2-4 win, before winning 2-0 at home.
Fiorentina on the other hand had a much smoother ride, topping their Conference League group and qualifying automatically to the Round of 16.
There they beat Maccabi Haifa 3-4 away, before drawing 1-1 in Italy and going through 5-4 on aggregate.
In the quarter-finals they beat Viktoria Plzen 2-0 on aggregate, before setting up a dramatic semi-final against Club Brugge.
They managed to win the first leg at home 3-2, with a last minute goal, before breaking Belgian hearts a week later when Lucas Beltran scored an 85th minute penalty to equalise 1-1 and send them through to the final.
Follow below for live updates from the match at OPAP Arena.
Full time Olympiacos are European champions!
Olympiacos have done it! They are the first Greek team to win a European trophy after beating Fiorentina 1-0!
Five minutes injury time in extra time
The fourth official has shown five minutes of injury time in extra time.
Can Olympiacos hold on? If so they will become the first ever Greek team to win a European trophy and Athens will not sleep at all tonight!
GOAL FOR OLYMPIACOS!
Olympiacos players celebrating the goal
Reuters
GOAL for Olympiacos in the 115th minute and the stadium goes absolutely WILD!
The entire Olympiacos bench empties out and runs to celebrate with the players as they all head towards the crowd to celebrate.
1-0 to the Greeks with just a few minutes left in extra time!
The ball is crossed in from the left and who else, Ayoub El Kaabi beats the defender to the ball and heads it in.
After a very, very lengthy VAR check, the goal is given and the Red and White fans go absolutely MAD!
Extra time second half underway!
We're underway in the final 15 minutes of the game. We either find a winner or we go to penalties.
A substitution each for both teams, Giorgos Masouras replaces Daniel Podence for Olympiacos and Luca Ranieri replaces Cristiano Biraghi for Fiorentina.
Extra time half time
Nothing to separate the two teams after 105 minutes
Reuters
Nothing to separate the two teams yet again after the first 15 minutes of the extra time.
Will we see a winner in the second half of extra time or will it require penalties?
Penalty shouts and huge chance for Olympiacos!
Stefan Jovetic had a great shot that was parried wide
Reuters
Olympiacos players and fans alike are screaming for a penalty as the cross from Podence seems to hit a Fiorentina arm.
The Portuguese referee however waves play on and VAR seems not to be interested.
A minute later in the 95th, Stefan Jovetic weaves in and out of Fiorentina defenders and his low drive is just about parried out by Terracciano.
Extra time underway!
We're now underway in the extra 30 minutes after the first 90 failed to find a winner.
Olympiacos make their third sub, left back Francisco Ortega is replaced by Quini.
Full time 0-0 we're going to extra time!
El Kaabi can't get his head on it
Reuters
The referee has blown the final whistle and we're all tied at 0-0.
We're going to extra time here in Athens as nothing could separate these two teams in a very balanced game.
30 minutes of football to follow...
Seven minutes injury time
The fourth assistant has shown a minimum of seven minutes of added time.
Can either team get a winner? Or are we destined to see extra time?
Double sub for Fiorentina
A double substitution for the Italian side in the 83rd minute.
Bonaventura and Kouame are taken off, in their place come Antonin Barak and Jonathan Ikone.
Biggest chance of the game for Olympiacos!
Vicente Iborra's header from a corner glances just wide
Reuters
The Reds miss their best chance of the game so far, in the 80th minute.
Horta swings in a free kick from the right side, Iborra rises above everyone but his header glances just wide of the post.
Second sub for Olympiacos
Olympiacos have now made their second substitution as well in the 78th minute.
Andre Horta comes on for Chiquinho in a straight midfield swap.
Second substitution for Fiorentina
Former Liverpool midfielder Arthur Melo has been taken off in the 75th minute.
On in his place comes Alfred Duncan.
First substitution for Olympiacos
Jose Luis Mendilibar has turned to his bench for the first time, in the 72nd minute.
Captain Kostas Fortounis has been subbed off and in his place comes Stefan Jovetic.
What a player to bring on from the bench, full of experience from Europe's top leagues, including a stint with Manchester City.
Huge chance for Fiorentina!
Tzolakis with a huge save to keep the score 0-0
Reuters
The Italian side are knocking on the door and asking questions of Olympiacos.
The ball bounces through to Kouame at the edge of the box in the 69th minute, but he scuffs his shot and Tzolakis manages to stick a right hand up and deflect it for a corner.
The corner is wasted and a foul is given to Olympiacos for a high boot.
Big chance for Fiorentina
FIorentina have missed the biggest chance of the second half so far in the 65th minute.
A corner from the right side is swung in and Milenkovic outjumps Carmo, but his header down goes just wide of Tzolakis' left post.
First substitution
Fiorentina are the first team to make a sub.
Vincenzo Italiano has turned to his bench and subbed off star man Andrea Belotti for M'Bala Nzola in the 58th minute as both teams are trying to break the deadlock.
Balanced first 10 minutes of the second half
The first 10 minutes of the second half haven't seen any big chances yet
Reuters
The first 10 minutes of the second half have passed without any big chances.
Olympiacos seem to be on the front foot a bit more, but the game is very even.
Second half underway!
The two teams are out for the second half and we're underway. 0-0
Half time 0-0!
All square at half-time with no goals so far
Reuters
Half time with the two teams heading to the changing rooms at 0-0.
Both sides have created some big opportunities, with both goalkeepers called into action.
Fiorentina have seemed to control the tempo better, with Olympiacos' best spell coming in the final five minutes of the half.
Hopefully we'll see some goals in the second half.
Fiorentina seem to be more in control
As we enter the final five minutes of the first half, the Italian side seem to be in control of the tempo.
Olympiacos are trying and have succeeded in creating chances, but Fiorentina control possession better and are dangerous on the break, particularly from the right side against Ortega.
Big chance for Olympiacos
Daniel Podence had a big chance with a header from a corner but it was saved
Reuters
Big chance at the other end this time, as an Olympiacos corner is met by one of the shortest players on the pitch, Daniel Podence.
The Portuguese magician connects with the ball at the front post but his header goes directly into the hands of Terracciano. Still 0-0 in the 25th minute.
Big chance for Fiorentina
Tzolakis blocks Bonaventura and the score stays 0-0
Reuters
Big chance for Fiorentina in the 20th minute as the ball bounces to Bonaventura who shoots straight at Tzolakis.
The Greek keeper is grateful to have dived to his left and kept hold of the ball. Still 0-0.
Fiorentina goal disallowed for offside
Fiorentina had a goal disallowed in the ninth minute
Reuters
Fiorentina think they've scored, but the goal is ruled out for offside in the ninth minute.
Milenkovic cuts in from the right and drills a low shot in with his left, but his teammate is deemed in an offside position.
VAR confirms the on-field decision of offside and play is restarted.
Daniel Podence forces decent save
Daniel Podence forced an early save
Reuters
Daniel Podence has forced Pietro Terracciano into an early save.
The Wolves loanee cut in from the left onto his right foot and tried to curl in a shot, with the Italian keeper diving well to his left to deflect the ball out for a corner.
Good start for Olympiacos.
And we're off!
UEFA Europa Conference League Final pre-match
Reuters
The blockbuster final of the Europa Conference League is underway!
Atmosphere building
The two sets of fans are in full voiceGettyBoth sets of fans are in full voice, with the two clubs' anthems played on the speakers as fans sing along and cause lots of noise.
But it's clear that the Greek fans vastly outnumber their Italian counterparts.
After all, Olympiacos is based in the port city of Piraeus, just 10 miles or so from the stadium. This feels like a home leg for them.
The players are out warming up
The two sets of players are on the pitch warming up
Reuters
The two sets of players are now out onto the pitch warming up.
Both sets of fans roared on their teams as they warm up in front of their respective sets of fans.
Goalkeepers start warming up
Olympiacos' goalkeeping trio is warming up
Reuters
The goalkeepers are out warming up in front of their respective fans.
Konstantinos Tzolakis and Pietro Terracciano are both hoping to have a quiet evening, but with the scorelines these two teams have been providing so far this season, clean sheets are not expected.
Expect goals in this one.
Teams announced
The teams for today's contest have been announced.
Olympiacos have Konstantinos Tzolakis under the sticks, with Rodinei, David Carmo, Panos Retsos and Francisco Ortega the quartet in front of him.
In midfield the Red and White will have Santiago Hezze, Chiquinho and Vicente Iborra.
The crafty duo of Kostas Fortounis and Daniel Podence will be on each wing respectively, with the Conference League's top scorer Ayoub El Kaabi up front leading the line.
Fiorentina will line up with Pietro Terracciano, with Cristiano Biraghi, Martinez Quarta, Nikola Milenkovic and Dodo in defence.
Rolando Mandragora, Arthur Melo and Giacomo Bonaventura are the Viola's midfield trio.
Christian Kouame, Nicolas Gonzalez and Andrea Belotti lead the front three.
Good evening
Olympiacos and Fiorentina meet in the Conference League Final tonight
Getty
Good afternoon and welcome to GB News' live blog from OPAP Arena in Athens.
Stay tuned for all the latest throughout the match as both teams look to make history.
Olympiacos is looking to become the first Greek team to ever win a European trophy, while Fiorentina is seeking to win their first European trophy in 63 years, after the European Cup Winners Cup in 1961.
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