Defender Ilias Kotsios scored deep into extra time to complete an extraordinary comeback by Panathinaikos who booked their place in the Champions League proper with a 4-1 win over Wisla Krakow on Tuesday.
Having lost the first leg 3-1 in Poland, Panathinaikos fought back in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and take the match into extra time.
A thrilling game played in front of 62,000 spectators at the Olympic Stadium was only settled when Kotsios rose above a tired Wisla defence in the 114th minute and sent a looping header over goalkeeper Radoslaw Majdan.
Panathinaikos, European Cup finalists in 1971, did not make the breakthrough until just past the hour when South African international defender Nasief Morris got on the end of a free kick and headed inside the near post.
Four minutes later, the Greek side got their second when Majdan could only parry Anthony Seric's free kick and Emmanuel Olisadebe headed home.
Twelve minutes from time the tie swung back in the Polish team's favour when Radoslaw Sobolewski stepped inside two defenders to fire home from the edge of the area.
Five minutes later, however, Sobelewski was sent off for a second yellow card offence.
Four minutes from the end of normal time Dimitris Papadopoulos levelled the tie with a strong run and shot that ricocheted off the legs of Arkadiusz Glowacki and over the goalkeeper.
With the one-man advantage and the evening heat taking its toll on the Wisla players, Panathinaikos dominated extra time.
Wisla now go into the UEFA Cup.
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