Hamrun Spartans reached the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history after a dramatic win over Lithuanian title holders Zalgiris on Tuesday.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Maltese side responded with two quick goals in the first half to level the tie. They struck twice in just six minutes before the break to give themselves hope of a comeback at the Centenary Stadium.
The tie went into extra time, where Zalgiris was reduced to ten men in the 114th minute after defender Vasilije Radenovic was sent off for a second booking. That proved to be the start of a long and unforgettable finale.
A shootout for the ages
With the match ending 2-2 on aggregate, the encounter was decided on penalties – and produced one of the most intense shootouts ever seen in European competition.
Both teams missed once in the opening five rounds, sending the score to 4-4 and into sudden death. What followed was a marathon of nerve and precision.
Spartans captain and veteran goalkeeper Henry Bonello, 36, was a standout performer, converting his own penalty and denying two opponents from the spot. Zalgiris’ keeper Carlos Olses also scored and made one save, while four other penalties were missed altogether.
In total, 28 spot-kicks were taken. The decisive moment came when Ebenezer Ofori of Zalgiris failed to convert his effort and Hamrun midfielder Jovan Cadenovic stepped up to seal an 11-10 win.
One of Europe’s longest shootouts
According to Opta, this shootout joins the list of the highest-scoring in European club competitions. The only two ahead in terms of goals scored are Gzira United’s 14-13 win over Glentoran in 2023 and Ajax’s 13-12 triumph against Panathinaikos in 2024.
Hamrun’s encounter now ranks joint third for the number of goals scored in a shootout and second in total penalties taken – equaling Gzira v Glentoran with 28 spot-kicks.
Globally, the recognised record stands at 56 penalties in a 2024 Israeli second-division play-off between SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv, which Dimona won 23-22.
Back in Malta, the Spartans can now look forward to a second-round clash against Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv, with a place in the third qualifying round at stake.
