Olympiacos Celebrate 100 Years with Hard-Fought 1-0 Win Over OFI | OneFootball

Olympiacos vs OFI - Giorgos Matthaios/EUROKINISSI

On a night steeped in history and emotion, Olympiacos marked their 100th anniversary with a gritty 1-0 win over OFI at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Under the floodlights and a feverish atmosphere, Rodinei's first-half penalty secured the victory — a fitting result on a night when the past, present, and future of Greek football’s most decorated club converged.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side were not at their fluent best, but when the moment arrived, Rodinei stepped up. The Brazilian full-back, deployed higher up the pitch as a right winger, was a constant threat down the right flank. His decisive moment came in the 34th minute when he was brought down inside the box after a driving run, earning a penalty. Rodinei confidently dispatched the spot-kick, sending the OFI keeper the wrong way and sparking wild celebrations among the home fans.

Costinha and Onyemaechi Set the Tone

Rodinei’s contribution aside, Olympiacos’s dominance was built on the performances of their full-backs. On the right, Costinha was dynamic and precise, delivering dangerous crosses and winning key duels in transition. His combination play with Rodinei was one of Olympiacos’s most reliable attacking outlets.

On the left, Bruno Onyemaechi showed why he has become a trusted figure under Mendilibar. Strong in the tackle and composed in possession, Onyemaechi helped nullify OFI’s counter-attacking threat while also pushing forward to provide width in attack.

Velde's Impact and the Next Generation's Debut

Kristoffer Velde, operating down the left wing, was a consistent outlet for Olympiacos. His direct running and quick feet caused problems for the OFI backline, though he lacked the final touch to convert his promising positions into goals.

The night also offered a glimpse of Olympiacos’s future. Nikolaos Lolis, fresh from the U19 squad, made his first-team debut and showed composure beyond his years. Antonis Papakanellos also saw action late in the game, adding fresh legs and energy in midfield.

"Regarding the young players, our plan was to bring them on earlier, but since the score remained 1-0, we had to delay due to the risk of an equaliser. However, we were determined to give them playing time so they could integrate further into the squad," Mendilibar said.

Grinding Towards the Title

The win extends Olympiacos’s lead to +7 at the top of the Greek Super League table, strengthening their position ahead of the playoffs. With rivals AEK and PAOK dropping points over the weekend, Mendilibar’s side now find themselves in pole position to secure their first league title since 2022.

But the focus now shifts to the Europa League Round of 16 second leg against Bodø/Glimt — a game that literally will make or break their European season.

Mendilibar said: As I mentioned earlier, I was worried about this match. I wasn’t sure how to handle the situation after our first loss in four months. We conceded three goals in Norway and were affected by the celebratory atmosphere here. But ultimately, it’s the players who take the field—they must be brave and get the win, even on nights when we don’t play well. We created chances but didn’t score more goals. Still, we’re happy to have won and combined it with our club’s centennial celebrations. For now, though, Olympiacos can celebrate their centenary with the knowledge that this team, much like the club’s 100-year history, is built on resilience and a will to win."