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FCK out of Champions League after penalty drama

FC Copenhagen fell out of UEFA Champions League qualification on Tuesday after a dramatic shootout defeat to Red Star Belgrade.

The teams were tied 2-2 on aggregate after 120 minutes of football inside a packed Telia Parken stadium.

But the Lions could not find the winning goal as Red Star went through 7-6 on penalties.

Here, FCK.dk caught up with some of the Lions players.

Carlos Zeca
"I'm proud of the team, every man worked hard - and we were the best team tonight. But it ended in a penalty shootout, and here is a matter of luck. Unfortunately the luck was with Red Star. So congratulations to them. But we need to get our heads up, we need to focus on Friday's match in the league - and then of course we must get ready for the Europa League. Last but not least, a big thanks to our supporters - their support was amazing this evening."

Sotirios Papagiannopoulos
"There is not much to say other than it is not very nice. It was a close match, and when we reached the penalty shootout we knew anything could happen. Unfortunately it was not our day today."

Pierre Bengtsson
"It's a heavy feeling, because with 11 versus 10 men for so long, we should have gone 2-1 up, but it didn't go our way today. Now we have to try to get our spirits up so we can reach the group stage of the Europa League."

Victor Nelsson
"It's tough to take. We had the chances this evening, but we couldn't take them. A big thank you to the crowd for providing a great backing. This city ​​and our fans deserved the Champions League, but now instead it's about making sure we get into the Europa League."

FCK will play either Riga FC or HJK Helsinki in the Europa League playoff round later this month.

The home match in Telia Parken will be played on Thursday, August 22 at 19:45.

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