Ajax and Panathinaikos engaged in an epic penalty shootout that set a UEFA competition record, with the Dutch giants emerging victorious after 34 attempts. The Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time, leading to the marathon shootout.
Ajax, who had won 1-0 in the first leg in Greece, conceded a late equalizer in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, forcing the shootout. The previous record for the longest shootout in a UEFA competition was 32 attempts, set in the 2007 European U-21 Championship semi-final between Netherlands and England.
The world record for the longest shootout was set in May when Israeli third-tier clubs SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv took 56 penalties to resolve their semi-final promotion playoff tie.
Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer was the hero for the hosts, saving five penalties. However, Dutch international Brian Brobbey missed two penalties for Ajax, keeping the shootout alive.
“Five is quite a lot, yes. I save a penalty every now and then, but I don’t think you often experience something as crazy as this,” Pasveer said. “Every time I thought we would do it. Brobbey behind the ball, we will do it. But he missed, while he always scores during training.”
Defender Anton Gaaei ultimately delivered the winning penalty for Ajax, sending the Eredivisie club into the playoff round later this month, where they will face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok.
