Aarhus produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds in this season's Champions League qualifying to eliminate Lech Poznan on penalties, a result that locks AEK Athens into the seeded pot for the playoff round draw.
The Danish champions had lost the first leg 4-1 at home to the Polish side. On the return in Poznan, they overturned that deficit, won the second leg 4-1 after extra time, and then prevailed 4-3 in the shootout to advance to the third qualifying round.
For AEK, the result was the one they needed. Lech's elimination clears the path for the Greek club to enter the playoff round as one of the seeded sides, a significant advantage when the draw for that stage is made.
Former AEK midfielder Jens Jonsson was in the Aarhus starting lineup and played until the 70th minute. His side trailed 4-1 on aggregate when the second leg began, but three goals before the final whistle levelled the tie. Bech scored in the 32nd minute, Arnstand converted a penalty in the 55th, and Tingager made it 3-0 on the night in the 75th minute, forcing extra time with the aggregate score locked at 4-4.
Lech struck first in the additional period when Yangelo made it 1-3 on the night in the 95th minute, nudging the Poles back ahead on aggregate. Aarhus responded almost immediately: Kristiansen scored in the 100th minute to restore a four-goal cushion on the night and level the tie at 5-5 on aggregate.
In the penalty shootout, Aarhus missed their opening attempt, but goalkeeper Kristiansen saved twice to send the Danish side through 4-3.
AEK's potential playoff opponents
AEK's possible opponents in the playoff round include LASK Linzer and Viking, who have already advanced, along with the winners of the still-ongoing ties between Celje and Ararat, Kairat Almaty and Levski Sofia, and Aarhus against Sabah.
