After a grueling Europa League third qualifying-round tie that ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time, Ajax emerged victorious against Panathinaikos in a record-breaking penalty shootout on Thursday.
The Dutch side required an astonishing 34 penalties to secure a 13-12 win, setting a new UEFA competition record.
Despite winning the first leg 1-0 in Greece last week, Ajax conceded a late goal in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, forcing the match into a shootout.
The previous record for the most penalties taken in a UEFA competition was 32, which occurred during the European U-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 when the Netherlands defeated England 13-12.
However, the world record for the longest shootout was established in May when Israeli third-tier clubs SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv needed an incredible 56 penalties to determine the winner of their semi-final promotion playoff tie.
In the Ajax-Panathinaikos shootout, Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer played a crucial role, making five saves and scoring on his own attempt. Dutch international Brian Brobbey, on the other hand, missed two penalties during the shootout.
"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 was quoted as saying by Reuters. "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. The Eredivisie club will now face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the playoff round later this month.
