LNZ Cherkasy knocked out of Europe after penalty heartbreak in Ghent

LNZ Cherkasy's debut European campaign ended exactly where many expected - on the pitch of Belgian heavyweights KAA Gent. Vitaliy Ponomaryov's side held out for 120 minutes in the second leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round, only to fall 4-2 on penalties after a goalless draw - just as the first leg in Cherkasy had finished 0-0. Gent expected a routine evening in front of their own fans, but LNZ again refused to bend. The Ukrainian visitors were compact, physical, and in the first half actually looked more dangerous going forward. Kuzyk tested goalkeeper Ruf, and Assinor caused problems down the flanks. Gent's best reply before the interval was a glancing Vergara header that drifted wide. After the break, Rick De Mil's men turned up the pressure. Palamarchuk had to be sharp to deny Gore and Dean, while Ponomaryov held off making changes to protect his team's structure. The longer the game went, the more LNZ relied on their goalkeeper. Deep into added extra time, Palamarchuk produced a stunning goal-line save to keep out Sonko - it seemed fate was on their side. But penalties are a lottery, and LNZ drew the losing ticket. Tverdokhlib saw his shot saved low to Ruf's left, and Kuzyk smashed the crossbar. Gent's takers - Sek, Cisse, Kadri, and Volkart - were ice cold. Gent march on to round three, while LNZ leave with a first taste of European football that no one in Cherkasy will forget.