Ajax and Panathinaikos break Uefa record with 34 penalty kicks

AMSTERDAM – Penalty shoot-outs are notorious for inducing nerves in players, making it a rare occurrence for both teams to exceed the usual number of kicks in such a high-pressure scenario.

But that was exactly what happened on Aug 15.

It took Ajax Amsterdam 34 penalties to beat Panathinaikos 13-12 in a marathon shoot-out, 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 shoot-out that broke the previous record of 32 attempts at the European Under-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 when Netherlands beat England 13-12.

The world record for the longest shoot-out was set in May when Israeli third-tier clubs SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv took 56 penalties to resolve their semi-final promotion play-off tie.

Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer made five saves and scored on his own attempt to help the hosts win the shoot-out against their Greek opponents, 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. The Dutch Eredivisie club will now face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the play-off round later in August.

Ajax coach Francesco Farioli admitted he too could not believe the incredible situation watching from the dugout.

“This was crazy,” he said. “It is impossible to simulate this emotion and context, you can practise penalties but you never come close to this scenario.