Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive, as Reds owner celebrates Olympiacos victory and predicts more Euro success
Evangelos Marinakis set his sights on further silverware after Olympiacos won the Europa Conference League over Fiorentina, making his “crazy dream” come true.
Ayoub El Kaabi’s extra-time winner secured Olympiacos’ first major European trophy in an otherwise forgettable match at the Agia Sophia Stadium, home of their huge domestic rivals AEK Athens.
“We are very happy and proud,” says Marinakis, who also owns Nottingham Forest. He told the Greek press, “The people of Olympiacos have been singing about a crazy dream for 99 years.” Today is not a weird dream; it is a reality here in Greece.
“These are intensely emotional and joyful occasions. We continue to dream and soar high. We are moving on. Here we go; the Europa League could be next.
Marinakis said he was “confident” Olympiacos will beat Fiorentina in the final, saying: “What I told the captains, the coach, and my colleagues was that we should all concentrate and not think about anything else than the triumph.
“If you focus and want something badly enough, you will get it. We would never lose today, particularly in Greece. I was certain, so I announced it to everyone, and you saw the outcome.
“We have made a start, and I am confident that in the future years, more Greek teams will follow suit. The next goal is to reach the Europa League.”
It is a goal he will undoubtedly hope to achieve at Forest, who are about to enter their third season as a top-flight club, but are looking for greater stability as they strive to become an established Premier League force.
The Reds have battled for relegation in their first two seasons, first under Steve Cooper and then Nuno Espirito Santo, but Marinakis will be hoping to see development at the City Ground following significant club investment.
