Ball “held”, still out!
Cheering and frustration after a bizarre European Cup penalty thriller
7/21/2023 5:31 p.m
More football is not possible: incredible drama in stoppage time, a crazy penalty thriller with 28 shots – and a saved penalty that still rolls into the goal. Enjoy the first qualifying round of the Conference League between Glentoran FC of Northern Ireland and Gzira United of Malta.
Jay Donnelly covered his face with his hands. The Glentoran FC striker was certain that his missed penalty saw the Northern Irish club eliminated from the first qualifying round of the Conference League. But while Donnelly was mourning and Malta’s Gzira United goalkeeper David Cassar was jubilantly running out of his box, the ball rolled into the net.
BBC video of Thursday night’s curious scene went viral – complete with wild screams from the euphoric commentators (“Is he going in? He’s going in!”). The ball got so twisted during Cassar’s parade that it still rolled into the goal – and Donnelly was allowed to celebrate. However, his joy was short-lived, but first things first.
28 penalties, pure drama
Already in the first leg (1:1) Glentoran had missed a penalty in regular time, and in the second leg in Belfast Bobby Burns failed from the point. Gzira United then scored to make it 1-0. Then a very dramatic stoppage time developed. Glentoran equalized in the 94th minute and couldn’t stop celebrating. After a discussion with the referees, the goal was withdrawn for an offside position. The ensuing tumult interrupted stoppage time (six minutes had been announced). A little later, the players and commentators were allowed to freak out again: The late equalizer from defender Burns (90+13) brought the Northern Irish into (goalless) extra time. Really this time.
An epic penalty shoot-out ensued, with every shooter scoring – even the goalkeepers. Until Donnelly, who had already sunk his team’s first penalty, started for the second time and equalized to 12:12 via the aforementioned detour. 17-year-old Leon Boyd eventually forgave the 28th (!) Penalty in the shootoutthe guests won 14:13 iE – and goalkeeper Cassar was finally able to celebrate.