The 28 penalties that won the match: the record Champions League success of Italians Modica and Polito

A match decided only after 28 penalties , with two Italians celebrating. Hamrun Spartans-Zalgiris will go down in the history of Champions League qualifying not only for the result, but for the extraordinary number of penalties taken: 28. The match played on Tuesday in Malta saw the hosts advance to the round after one of the longest penalty shoot-outs in UEFA football history, even longer than Rio Ave-Milan .

28 penalties taken: Hamrun Spartans-Zalgiris record

After Zalgiris's 2-0 first-leg victory, Hamrun Spartans managed to turn the tables in the return leg, tying the score in regulation time. No goals in extra time, then the penalty shootout began, which became a veritable marathon: 14 penalties each, for a total of 28. The final score, 11-10, rewarded Hamrun Spartans, who thus secured their historic first-ever qualification to the second qualifying round of the Champions League. A feat never before achieved by either the club or a Maltese team in Europe's premier competition.

Giacomo Modica, the Italian coach who led Malta into Champions League history

Leading the effort is an Italian coach: Giacomo Modica , originally from Mazara del Vallo, who took over at Hamrun Spartans just over a month ago. In just a few weeks, he has already written an indelible page in the club's history, becoming the symbol of an epic qualification. This is also thanks to Italian full-back Vincenzo Polito , who scored twice in the endless penalty shootout.

The precedent of Rio Ave-Milan in 2020

The match between Hamrun Spartans and Zalgiris brings to mind another historic European clash: Rio Ave vs. AC Milan , the 2020 Europa League playoffs, which the Rossoneri won 9-8 after 24 penalties. That evening in Portugal was famous for its length and the record number of penalties. The Hamrun-Zalgiris match is inevitable and will go down as one of the UEFA matches with the most penalties in history. Hamrun Spartans will now face Dynamo Kyiv in the second qualifying round.