Stephen O’Donnell scored a dramatic extra-time penalty to add to a stunning equaliser on the night from Pat Sullivan as Shamrock Rovers realised their European dream in the cauldron of Belgrade.
Michael O’Neill side created history by becoming the first Irish side to make the group stages of a European competition and go into the Europa League draw worth in excess of €1 million.
In stifling heat that registered 32 degrees at kick off time, Rovers started nervously and were under the cosh form the off with a Ryan Thompson error not punished on three minutes when Vladimir Jovancic shot wide when through one-on-one.
Thompson redeemed himself with a terrific stop from Vladimir Volkov’s header shortly after. But Paritzan deservedly took the lead on 35 minutes when impressive left-back Volkov headed home a Nemanja Tomic corner.
Rovers switched to a 4-4-2 for the second half with Karl Sheppard coming in for the Billy Dennehy.
And Hoops almost silenced the home crowd two minutes in when Turner’s header from an Enda Stevens cross shaved the outside of a post.
But Rovers were level on 58 minutes when Sullivan scored with a stunning 25-yard volley after a corner dropped to him.
O’Donnell made two terrific saving tackle as Rovers took the tie to extra-time.
The woodwork came to Rovers rescue in the second minute of extra-time when a curling free-kick from Babovic came back of Thompson’s left hand post.
The tie turned Rovers way on 113 minutes when Sheppard won a penalty in a challenge by Radisa Ilic following Kilduff's shot and O’Donnell sent the keeper the wrong way.
Partizan then had midfielder Medo sent off for a bad challenge on Sheppard and it was then clear there would be no dramatic comeback.
For the years of toil and heartache, Rovers were on the verge of the Holy Grail and the full-time scenes were greeted with joyous scenes.
History had been made but it was the future that Shamrock Rovers were thinking about. The Europa League group stages beckon after a memorable Belgrade night and it will be one Irish football will never forget.
FK Partizan: R. Ilic; Rankovic, Rnic, Ivanov, Volkov; Tomic, Medo, Jukic (Babovic, 57 mins.), S. Ilic; Jovancic, Eduardo (Markovic, 84 mins.).
Shamrock Rovers: Thompson; Sullivan, Sives, Murray, Stevens; Rice; McCabe (O‘Donnell, 68 mns.), Turner, Finn, Dennehy (Sheppard, h/t); Twigg (Kilduff, 101 mins.).
Referee: Jan Valasek (Slovakia).
