ALMATI, Kazakhstan (AP) — Only the second time in the Champions League is in Kazakhstan, with Norwegian and Cyprus rookies also making their way into the Elite League phase on Tuesday.
Kairat Almaty goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov saved three penalties in the shootout to lift the Kazakh champions above the Celtic in the qualifying playoffs after the team made two consecutive 0-0 draws. Almati won the shootout 3-2.
Norwegian Bodeau/Grimt softened past Sturm Glaz, who scored 6-2 overall despite a 2-1 loss in Austria.
Unknown Cypriot champion Paphos surprised European champion Red Star Belgrade in 1991, drawing 1-1 at home with a goal in the 89th minute from Brazilian forward Jaja, and advanced 3-2 at the collective.
All three winners will take their place alongside title holders Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and a great list of European powers at the draw ceremony in Monaco on Thursday.
Kairat advanced ten years after Astana played in the old group stage as the only Kazakh team to compete with the European elite.
Almati is in four time zones and thousands of miles (miles) east of potential enemies from England and Portugal.
The winner of the 1967 European Cup, Celtic fell into the second tier Europa League along with Red Star and the Sturmgrass a year after all three played in the Champions League.
Four more Champions League qualifying playoffs will be decided on Wednesday to complete the lineup of 36 teams.
Jose Mourinho took Fenerbafe to former club Benfica, and the team tied it 0-0. Club Bruges started 3-1 at the Rangers’ home, with Qarabag leading on the same score against visiting Ferencvaros. Copenhagen hosts Basel, tied 1-1.
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