Watching the joyous post-match scenes in Athens, it was hard to escape the fact that, for all their faults, UEFA’s decision-makers do get some things right, and the introduction of the Europa Conference League is certainly one of those things.
The victors celebrating an historic night was not a one-off. This is the third season in a row that the Conference League winners have thoroughly enjoyed a rare evening in the spotlight. In becoming the first Greek side to win a senior men’s UEFA club tournament, Olympiacos followed fellow history-makers West Ham United, who won their first trophy in over 40 years in 2023, and long-suffering Roma winning the inaugural trophy in 2022.
The wider impact on Greek football cannot be understated. Discussions of coefficients and league rankings may not set the pulses racing, but for countries like Greece, they are central to creating more nights like this. It was only 20 years ago that the Greek Super League was ranked the sixth best in Europe, with three teams in the 2003-04 Champions League group stage. Those three clubs – Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens – then provided the bulk of Greece’s Euro 2004-winning squad.
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Denne historien er fra July 2024-utgaven av World Soccer.
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Going for Gold in Paris- There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
There are plenty of candidates vying for the Olympic gold medal in the women's football tournament this summer
Face to face - Tom Sainfiet- The final goal is to reach the World Cup and write history - The Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer
The well-travelled Belgian coach speaks to World Soccer after taking charge of the Philippines-his 11th international coaching role
Inter cruise to title number 20
Simone Inzaghi's Internazionale shrug off all challengers before sealing the Serie A title in style against their biggest rivals
HAT-TRICK HERO
Ademola Lookman wrote his name into European football's history books with a hat-trick in the Europa League final
GOING UP
The story of Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres' career has been one of upward trajectory - and there's plenty more to come from the Sporting superstar
Palau soldier on alone
The isolated Pacific nation faces a long and lonely battle to improve football on the island
Brazilian clubs eye Copa number six
As the Copa Libertadores group stage concludes, a sixth consecutive Brazilian winner is looking likely
AI Hilal sweep to another Saudi crown
The first edition of the Saudi Pro League's glamorous new era ends with a familiar title winner
Disasters brewing
There is still a long way to go in World Cup qualifying, but dysfunction reigns at Cameroon, Congo and Nigeria after four matchdays in the group stage
Second round of World Cup qualifying underway
Favourites perform largely as expected, yet Cayman Islands dominate the headlines
