Panathinaikos surrendered a two-goal lead late on to draw 2-2 against Czech side Hradec Kralove at the OAKA Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Greek forward Tetteh scored twice in the second half to put the home team in command of the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying match, before two late goals from substitute Umar brought the visitors level.
Panathinaikos dominated possession from the opening whistle and controlled the tempo of the game. However, the Greek club struggled to create clear opportunities against a dense Czech defense in the early stages.
Forward Levi Garcia attempted several individual runs to breach the opposition line, but the visitors held firm to restrict clear chances on goal during a tight opening period.
Panathinaikos head coach Jacob Neestrup was forced into an early substitution in the 24th minute when Tsapras sustained an injury and could not continue. Katris came on to replace him in defense.
The Greek hosts continued to experience creative difficulties, and Hradec Kralove came closest to opening the scoring in the 35th minute. Van Buren dispossessed Panathinaikos in midfield and struck a powerful shot against the post of goalkeeper Pena in the best chance of the first half.
Second half goals
Panathinaikos broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Tetteh produced a fine piece of skill inside the penalty area. His shot deflected off a defending player and ricocheted into the net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Six minutes later, Tetteh doubled the advantage in the 61st minute. The Greek international beat the offside trap and lifted a delicate chip over Hradec Kralove goalkeeper Zadrazil, raising the crowd at OAKA to their feet as Panathinaikos moved 2-0 ahead.
With a two-goal cushion, the Athens club appeared set to secure a victory and take firm control of the play-off tie ahead of the return fixture.
Late comeback by Hradec Kralove
Hradec Kralove staged a dramatic late rally in the closing minutes of the contest. In the 88th minute, substitute Trubac unleashed a long-range effort that Pena saved onto the woodwork, recording the visitors' second hit against the post.
One minute later, Hradec Kralove halved the deficit. In the 89th minute, Umar latched onto a loose ball following a deflection on a counter-attack, broke free one-on-one against Pena, and finished calmly into the net to make it 2-1.
The Czech side completed the comeback six minutes into stoppage time. In the 96th minute, a free kick struck the Panathinaikos wall and fell to Umar, who reacted quickly to turn the ball in off the post from close range for the final 2-2 scoreline.
Match lineups and return leg
Neestrup made several changes in the second half, introducing Dessers and Pellistri in the 66th minute for Levi Garcia and Andino. Rastoder replaced Tetteh in the 73rd minute, and Jagusic came on for Taborda in the 74th minute. Starting defenders De Vrij, Van Drongelen, and Kyriakopoulos, along with midfielder Camara, played alongside Pena in goal.
Hradec Kralove brought on Umar for Sloncik in the 61st minute, followed by Trubac, Valenta, and Vikanova for Dancak, Darida, and Van Buren in the 73rd minute, and Neto for Mihalik in the 82nd minute. Zadrazil, Uhrinkat, Sihak, Cech, Ludvicek, Horak, Dancak, Darida, Van Buren, Sloncik, and Mihalik formed the visitor starting lineup.
Panathinaikos is one of the most successful football clubs in Greece, regularly competing in European competitions. FC Hradec Kralove competes in the Czech First League and is seeking entry into the group phase of European football. The UEFA Europa Conference League League Phase features 36 teams competing across Europe.
Following the draw in Athens, the tie remains evenly balanced. Panathinaikos and Hradec Kralove will meet again next week in the Czech Republic for the decisive second leg to determine which club advances to the Europa Conference League League Phase.
