# Panathinaikos qualifies for Conference League League Phase > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-football-season-preparations-2026 > Updated: 2026-08-28T14:45:02.000Z. Sources: 155. Developments: 17. Panathinaikos has secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League League Phase following a 2-1 extra-time victory against Hradec Králové in the Czech Republic. The match, which ended 1-1 in regulation time, was decided in the 125th minute when Cyriel Dessers converted a penalty to secure a 4-3 aggregate win after a 2-2 draw in the first leg. Dessers, a Nigerian international, has been the standout performer of the summer qualifying rounds. Entering the match as a substitute in the 60th minute, he scored both goals in the decisive fixture, including a 72nd-minute header. This performance makes him the first Panathinaikos player to score twice as a substitute in an away European match, and only the second in club history to score twice after coming off the bench in any European game. His recent efficiency is notable, averaging a goal involvement every 61 minutes across 432 minutes of play. The team's attacking unit—comprising Dessers, Tetê, Liva Garcia, and Raston—has been instrumental, accounting for approximately 64% of the 11 goals scored during the six qualifying matches. This achievement marks the fourth consecutive season that Panathinaikos has reached a European league phase, completing the qualifying rounds with a perfect 3/3 record. While celebrating, head coach Jakob Nielsen expressed gratitude to the fans but emphasized that defensive improvements are required and urged the team to shift focus toward upcoming domestic league and cup fixtures. Statistical simulations suggest the club has an 82.1% probability of finishing within the top 24 in the league phase to reach the playoffs, and a 23.5% chance of finishing in the top eight to qualify directly for the knockout stages. ## Claims - Giakousis scored the first equaliser in the 44th minute. (disputed by 17 sources) - Panathinaikos won the first leg away in Hungary 2-1 against Paksi. (disputed by 10 sources) - Panathinaikos and CSKA 1948 played a match at OAKA that ended 1‑1. (disputed by 8 sources) - Giakouzis scored the opening goal for Panathinaikos in the 21st minute. (disputed by 8 sources) - Panathinaikos is coached by Giacob Nistrup. (disputed by 8 sources) - Coach Jesper Nistrep said fan support is needed and expects only minor changes to the lineup. (disputed by 5 sources) - Panathinaikos will face TSSKA Sofia 1948 in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League if they defeat PAOK. (disputed by 4 sources) - Panathinaikos will face TSSKA Sofia 1948 in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League if they defeat PAS Giannina. (disputed by 4 sources) - Coach Jacek Nistri said the team's goal is to qualify in the upcoming away leg in Bulgaria. (disputed by 4 sources) - Panathinaikos qualified for the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. (corroborated by 18 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-28: Panathinaikos winger Pavlos Pantelidis warns of Conference League draw traps Panathinaikos winger Pavlos Pantelidis warns of potential traps in the Conference League draw, citing difficult away trips to Kairat and Nordsjaelland. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-winger-pavlos-pantelidis-warns-of-conference-league-draw-traps ### 2026-08-28: Panathinaikos reaches Conference League league phase after dramatic win Panathinaikos secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League league phase after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Hradec Kralove, fueled by two goals from Cyriel Dessers. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-qualifies-for-conference-league-league-phase ### 2026-08-26: Panathinaikos qualifies for Conference League League Phase Panathinaikos advanced to the Conference League League Phase after a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over Hradec Kralove, secured by two goals from Cyriel Dessers. 53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-coach-jakob-nielsen-eyes-conference-league-qualification ### 2026-08-19: Panathinaikos draws 2-2 with Hradec Králové in Conference League playoff Panathinaikos drew 2-2 with Hradec Králové in the Conference League playoffs. Despite two goals from Andreas Tetteh, late strikes from Umar forced a draw, prompting Panathinaikos to protest UEFA officiating. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-prepares-for-conference-league-playoff-against-hradec-krlov ### 2026-08-17: Panathinaikos prepares for Conference League playoffs against Hradec Králové Panathinaikos is preparing for its UEFA Conference League playoff matches against Hradec Králové, with training focusing on tactical positioning and rapid ball transitions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-prepares-for-conference-league-playoffs-against-hradec-krlov ### 2026-08-13: Panathinaikos to face Hradec Králové in Conference League playoffs Panathinaikos will face Czech side Hradec Králové in the UEFA Conference League playoffs, with the first leg set for August 20 at OAKA. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-to-face-chrst-kralov-in-conference-league-playoffs ### 2026-08-11: Panathinaikos advances to Conference League play-offs Panathinaikos advanced to the Conference League play-offs with a 2-1 extra-time win over CSKA 1948, while Brann secured their spot after defeating Apollon Limassol 4-2. 34 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-faces-cska-1948-in-decisive-conference-league-qualifier ### 2026-08-10: Panathinaikos coach Jakob Nielsen reacts to qualifying win over CSKA 1948 Panathinaikos coach Jakob Nielsen praised his team's sacrifice after their 2-1 qualifying win against CSKA 1948, noting tactical risks taken due to player absences. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-coach-jakob-nielsen-reacts-to-qualifying-win-over-cska-1948 ### 2026-08-06: Panathinaikos aims to tighten play after 1‑1 draw with TSSK 1948 Panathinaikos' 1‑1 draw with TSSK 1948 exposed defensive gaps; coach Jekob Nistrup calls for tighter spacing, better phase creation and trust in the current squad before the Sofia play‑off. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-aims-to-tighten-play-after-11-draw-with-tssk-1948 ### 2026-08-05: Panathinaikos and CSKA 1948 draw 1-1 in Conference League qualifier Panathinaikos and CSKA 1948 drew 1‑1 in the Conference League first‑leg in Athens; Jagušić scored for the Greeks, Rusev equalised for the Bulgarians. The tie goes to a decisive second leg in Sofia. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-draws-1-1-with-cska-sofia-1948-in-conference-league-first-leg ### 2026-08-03: Panathinaikos draws 1-1 with CSKA Sofia in Conference League qualifier Panathinaikos and CSKA Sofia drew 1‑1 at OAKA; Giakouzis scored for the Greeks, Rusev equalised. A second leg in Sofia will decide the Conference League playoff spot. Coach Nistor cited defensive lapses and key 43 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-1-1-cska-1948-second-leg-in-sofia-decides-tie ### 2026-08-03: Panathinaikos registers Garcia and Deser for CSKA 1948 Conference League tie Panathinaikos added Libai Garcia and Siril Deser to its Conference League squad for the upcoming matches against CSKA 1948, while the Bulgarian side prepares in Athens with coach Alexander Alexandrov promising攻 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-releases-tickets-and-squad-list-for-conference-league-tie-vs-cska-1948-in-bulgaria ### 2026-07-30: Panathinaikos clinches Conference League third‑round place after 2‑2 draw with Paks Panathinaikos drew 2‑2 with Paks in Athens, winning 4‑3 on aggregate to reach the Conference League third qualifying round, where they will meet CSKA 1948 Sofia. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-clinches-conference-league-thirdround-spot-after-22-draw-with-paksi ### 2026-07-28: CSKA 1948 qualifies for Conference League after penalty shootout win over Spartak Tărнава CSKA 1948 beat Spartak Tărнава on penalties to reach the Conference League’s third qualifying round, with goalkeeper Petar Marinov saving a spot‑kick; coach Alexandar Alexandrov lauded the team’s resolve. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cska-1948-qualifies-for-conference-league-after-penalty-shootout-win-over-spartak-tr ### 2026-07-28: Panathinaikos clinches Conference League spot after 2-2 draw with Paks Panathinaikos drew 2‑2 with Paks, winning 4‑3 on aggregate to reach the Conference League's third qualifying round and will meet Bulgaria’s TSSKA 1948. 36 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panathinaikos-to-face-tsska-sofia-1948-if-they-beat-paok ### 2026-07-22: CSKA 1948 held to 0‑0 draw by Spartak Trnava in Conference League qualifier CSKA 1948 and Spartak Trnava drew 0‑0 in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier in Trnava, leaving the tie open for the return match in Sofia. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spartak-trnava-held-to-0-0-draw-by-cska-1948-sofia-in-conference-league ### 2026-07-20: Spartak Trnava Draws 0-0 with CSKA 1948 Sofia in Conference League Spartak Trnava and CSKA 1948 Sofia drew 0‑0 in the Conference League second‑qualifying round on 22 July 2026, with broadcast on STVR and a pending return leg. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spartak-trnava-hosts-cska-1948-sofia-in-conference-league-2ndqualifying-round --- Cite as: Panathinaikos qualifies for Conference League League Phase. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-football-season-preparations-2026