Aug. 16 (Reuters) - It took Ajax 34 penalties to beat Panathinaikos 13-12 in a marathon shootout on Thursday, setting a UEFA competition record after their Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time.
Ajax, who won 1-0 at Panathinaikos last week, conceded in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, leading to the shootout that broke the previous record of 32 attempts at the European U-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 where Netherlands beat England 13-12.
Ajax vs. Panathinaikos full 34-penalty shootout
The 34th & winning penalty was a special one pic.twitter.com/6fLLxhwwLn
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) August 16, 2024
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 keeper Remko Pasveer made five saves and scored on his own attempt to help the hosts win the shootout as Dutch international Brian Brobbey missed two penalties.
⚪️ After 17 penalties (!), Ajax advance to next stage of Europa League qualifying round beating Panathinaikos.
Remko Pasveer, 40 year old, saved 5 penalties and scored (!) one.Hero. pic.twitter.com/xcX5fonkA2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2024
"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."
The craziest penalty shoot-out ever? #UEL #ajapan pic.twitter.com/lCoA5CptxS
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) August 16, 2024
Defender Anton Gaaei ultimately delivered the winning penalty for Ajax. The Eredivisie club will now face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the playoff round later this month.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul)
