Ajax and Panathinaikos Set UEFA Record with 34 Penalties in Shoot-out

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.

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.

“It was incredible,” said Ajax coach Francesco Farioli. “The spirit and commitment of the team were great tonight. We are not perfect, but we cannot say that the players did not give everything.”

He added: “But the match was fantastic. It is difficult to go into a penalty shootout after such a match. It may have taken a little longer, but we have taken an important step again.”

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.

“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.

Ajax had led 1-0 from the first leg but the Greeks stayed alive thanks to an 89th-minute goal from Tete which sent the tie into extra-time.

The Dutch side go on to face Jagiellonia Białystok of Poland in the play-off round next week.

(With inputs from Agencies)