Exciting matches decided in the final moments or even in penalty shootouts took place on Thursday during the second leg of the Conference League playoffs.

In addition to the three Cypriot teams—APOEL, Omonia, and Pafos—Panathinaikos, Chelsea, Copenhagen, and Fiorentina also secured their spots in the League Phase.

Pafos FC, making their debut in UEFA European competitions, clinched a place in the League Phase of the Conference League with a decisive 3-0 win over Romania’s Cluj at the “Alpha Mega” Stadium in Limassol.

APOEL managed to overturn their 2-1 defeat from the first leg but ultimately fell short of reaching the Europa League group stage after a 4-2 loss on penalties to Latvia’s RFS at the GSP Stadium. Following their elimination, the club will continue their European journey in the League Phase of the Conference League.

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, attended the match at the “Alpha Mega” Stadium.

Omonia also secured their place in the Conference League group stage on Thursday, despite a 1-0 defeat in Azerbaijan to Zira. The “Greens” advanced thanks to their commanding 6-0 victory in the first leg at the GSP Stadium. The only goal in the second leg was scored by Utzing with a header in the 79th minute. This marked Omonia’s first loss in six European matches, during which they had previously recorded five wins.