Ajax Beats Panathinaikos in Record Penalty Shootout

Ajax triumphed over Panathinaikos in a dramatic penalty shootout that required a record 34 penalties, winning 13-12 after their Europa League qualifying tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time. The shootout was prompted by a late equalizer from Panathinaikos in the 89th minute of the second leg, breaking the previous UEFA record of 32 penalties set in 2007. Ajax's goalkeeper, Remko Pasveer, was pivotal, making five saves and scoring one of his own attempts, while Dutch international Brian Brobbey missed two penalties. The overall longest recorded shootout, however, remains at 56 penalties, set in May by Israeli teams SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv. Defender Anton Gaaei secured the winning penalty for Ajax, who will advance to face Jagiellonia Bialystok in the next playoff round. Pasveer reflected on the experience, calling it 'crazy' and noting Brobbey's unexpected misses despite his strong training performance.