The first Greek club to win a European trophy
Tuesday, May 28, 2024
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Olympiacos’s Youth League triumph has already given fans reason to celebrate in Europe this season.
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Regardless of the result in the Conference League final, Olympiacos have already made history in Europe this season.
When their Under-19 side lifted the UEFA Youth League trophy in Switzerland on 22 April they became the first Greek side to win a European club trophy, and they did it in some style, beating European powerhouse AC Milan 3-0 in the final.
Breaking down Olympiacos' victory
Sotiris Sylaidopoulos’s side had stifled the Rossoneri – coached by former Italy international Ignazio Abate – with their tactical discipline and effective pressing, before blowing the game open with three goals in six minutes after an hour. Christos Mouzakitis opened the scoring from the penalty spot before two phenomenal strikes by Antonis Papakanellos and Theofanis Bakoulas – an overhead kick in the 66th minute – put the game beyond Milan’s reach.
“It feels amazing to hold this trophy, a dream really,” Bakoulas said. “To be honest, it wasn’t even a dream; I never thought such a thing would happen. It is unbelievable. I never believed we would be the first Olympiacos football team to win a European trophy. We are so happy to be making history today. I believe that all Greeks are happy today, not just Olympiacos fans.”
"I never believed we would be the first Olympiacos football team to win a European trophy. We are so happy to be making history today."
The Youth League kicked off in 2013 with the goal of helping players bridge the gap between academy football and the senior team, and to give youngsters a taste of European football.
So far, no club has won the Youth League and a major European club trophy in the same season. Now it’s over to José Mendilibar’s team to make some history of their own