Five penalties saved and one converted: Olde Pasveer becomes Ajax hero

Became a big hero against Panathinaikos: Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
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The basic situation ahead of the second leg of the third qualifying round of the Europa League was clear: if Ajax Amsterdam won their home match against Panathinaikos Athens or at least managed a draw, Francesco Farioli's team would be one step closer to qualifying for the European Cup.

For a long time, it looked to the home fans that Ajax could salvage their 1-0 lead from the first leg on the line with a goalless draw. Until the 89th minute, when substitute Tete put the Greeks ahead and took his team into extra time.

34 Penalties – Pasvir Becomes Champion

Neither team could score a decisive goal. So the evening was extended again by penalty shootouts. But no one expected it to take this long. The search for a decision from the penalty spot turned into a crazy nervous thriller: it took 34 penalties to determine the winner.

Many players even competed twice – and the goalkeepers also had to shoot. Ajax goalkeeper Remco Pasveer became the big hero. The 40-year-old not only scored the penalty, but also saved five shots from the spot, including the last two of Panathinaikos, which meant that the Dutch title holders reached the Europa League playoffs with a score of 13:12.

After the nerve-wracking night at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Ajax want to take the final step towards the group stage: in the playoffs they will face Polish champions Jagiellonia Bialystok, who were clearly beaten by FK Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs. The first division had to do it, but still has a chance to participate in the Europa League. The first leg will be played next Thursday, August 22, in Poland.