Late El Kaabi header gives Olympiakos memorable winpublished at 07:26
Olympiakos 1-0 Fiorentina (after extra time)
Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport
Olympiakos flew out of the blocks as they attempted to reward their ferocious support, who had travelled the short distance from Piraeus to the home of their rivals AEK in northern Athens.
Both sides traded blows in a first half that promised goalmouth action but resulted in few clear chances.
On-loan Wolves midfielder Daniel Podence forced Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano into a fine save down his left in the opening three minutes.
Giacomo Bonaventura should have given Fiorentina the lead but his tentative effort in the box safely dropped into Konstantinos Tzolakis’ arms.
The Italians put together the best move of the night in the second half as right-back Dodo surged forward and found Christian Kouame in space inside the box but his poor contact on the ball allowed Tzolakis to claw it clear.
Extra time was needed and it was Ayoub El Kaabi – who scored five goals in Olympiakos’ 6-2 aggregate win over Aston Villa in the semi-finals – who rose to the occasion again.