West Ham's Record-Breaking European Run Ended By Olympiacos

West Ham's 17-game winning streak in Europe came to an end on Thursday night when Olympiacos defeated them 2-1 in the UEFA Europa League.

Ever since their 2-0 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals in May 2022, the Hammers had been undefeated in all competitions. However, their luck ran out in Athens. West Ham's winless streak in Europe ended with a 2-1 loss to Olympiacos in the UEFA Europa League. Olympiacos' performance undoubtedly shocked the Hammers. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="721"] West Ham suffer first loss after 17 unbeaten European run. | Credit: Milos Bicanski/Getty Images[/caption] In the 34th minute, an easy turn by Fortounis away from Emerson Palmieri, James Ward-Prowse, and Pablo Fornals gave the home team the lead. With West Ham's goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, caught off guard, Fortounis scored with a classic toe poke from the edge of the area. At the end of the first half, the Hammers found themselves down by two goals as Ogbonna stretched out a foot to block a cross from Brazilian fullback Rodinei, only to assist in the ball's passage past Areola and into the net. Lucas Paqueta, who came off the bench, scored an amazing volley from the edge of the box with four minutes left. However, they couldn't find an equalizer despite a late push. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="727"] Lucas Paqueta (right) scores late goal for West Hama against Olympiacos. Credit: Thanassis Stavrakis[/caption]  

What does this loss mean to West Ham?

Since losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League semi-finals in May 2022, the Hammers had gone 17 European games undefeated (16 victories, 1 draw). As a result of the loss, West Ham is now tied for first place in their group with Freiburg and two points ahead of third-place Olympiacos, and they will have to work harder to get to the knockout stages. There is still hope for the Hammers to advance to the Europa League's knockout rounds.