A sad end for the Montenegrin champion, but Dečić deserved applause for everything he showed in Europe this summer.
The European dream ended 15 minutes before midnight, after almost three hours of a great fight and penalties - Helsinki was happier and smarter than Tusan for a place in the League Conference playoffs.
After 120 minutes it was 2:1 for Dečić, after penalty-roulette 4:3 for Helsinki...
Milorad Peković's team had five real chances in the first half, Pulejo used one of them and took the lead in the 26th minute.
Then the minus from Finland was annulled (1:0 defeat last Thursday), and after great opportunities were missed by Matić, Kajević, Drešaj and Striković, a penalty followed - at the end of the first half, Plandž brought the visitors an equaliser.
In the second half, Helsinki controlled things for a long time and kept the result that takes them to the next round, and Dečić saw a real chance in the 94th minute and through Mašović he got a magical advantage - 2:1, which meant extra time.
There was no excitement in them, the penalties decided and it smelled like it was another historic night for Tuzan.
Nikić saved two penalties, Dečić won the match point in the fifth series, but Camaj's shot was saved by Najhaus.
A minute later, everything was resolved - the Dutchman also stopped Drešaj (in the second series, Stijepović shot wide of the goal), so Helsinki - although he did not show too much - eliminated our representative and reached the playoffs for the Conference League.
Dečić is left with regret, but also respect - Peković's team deserved it after the two matches with Dinamo Batumi and Helsinki...
Dečić was very close, one shot away from qualifying for the Conference League playoffs, but the match ball disappeared in just a few seconds - Najhaus first saved Camaj's shot (if Tuzan's striker had scored it would have solved the game), and then Drešaj's shot.
Thus, Helsinki will play Klaksvik from the Faroe Islands, which was eliminated by Borac from Banja Luka in the 3rd round of the Conference League, for a place in the League Conference playoffs.
Sixth series of penalties:
Najhaus also stopped Drešaj, Palumec scored - Dečić was eliminated in the 3rd round of qualification for the Conference League.
Fifth series of penalties:
Najhaus saved Camaj's shot, and Moler was safe - Dečić leads 5:4. If Camaj had scored, it would have been over.
Fourth round of penalties:
A goal by Mašović, on the other side a goal by Tomas - the Montenegrin champion leads 5:3.
Third round of penalties:
Stijepović shot wide of the goal, and Nikić masterfully stopped Meriulot - it's still 4:2 for Dečić.
Second series of penalties:
Augusto routinely checkmate Nahjaus, then Ervin was precise - 4:2 lead Tuzani.
First round of penalties:
Božović was safe from the penalty spot, Nikić stopped Lingman's penalty - 3:1 for Dečić.
21.00
DEČIĆ - HELSINKI 2:1 (FIRST MATCH 0:1)
Pulejo 26, Mašović 90+4 - Plandž 43.
The second overtime has ended - 2:1 for Dečić, penalties decide who will go to the playoffs for the Conference League.
Five minutes to the end of the second overtime, we are getting closer to penalties.
The second overtime began.
The first overtime ended, which did not bring excitement - Dečić has a goal lead (2:1).
10 minutes of the first overtime have passed, Dečić leads 2:1.
Dečić was lucky, Božović hit the crossbar after the break in order to eliminate the danger.
The first overtime has begun.
End of the regular part - 2:1. Overtime will be played.
Dečić's goal is confirmed, leading 2:1. We are heading for overtime in Nikšić.
Waiting for VAR, the goal has not been confirmed yet.
GOOOOOOOL - Dečić leads 2:1 from the 94th minute!
Drešaj crossed, Stijepović headed the ball to the second goalpost, and Mašović somehow managed to score in the net for the celebration of around 1.000 fans.
Bonus video:
