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Copenhagen shock Ajax to progress

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Vermaelen, right, put through his own net to give Copenhagen victory.

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands -- Copenhagen struck twice in the second half to score a stunning 2-0 win at Ajax on Wednesday and qualify for the Champions League for the first time 3-2 aggregate.

Ajax, the four-time European champions, won the first leg 2-1 in Denmark two weeks ago and expected a relatively easy night with a group phase slot at the end of it.

But Copenhagen led when a 59th minute free kick was netted at the far post by Michael Silberbauer and Thomas Vermaelen then put through his own net after 77 minutes

"Tonight we had the luck we missed out on in the first game," Copenhagen coach Stale Solbakken said afterwards.

"After our first goal they started to hand the long pass to our big central defenders, and that made it easier for us."

"Over two games it was an even contest. We were better in Copenhagen and I think they were better tonight but I don't think our qualification is completely undeserved."

Ajax coach Henk ten Cate told NOS-TV afterwards: "The immaturity of some of my players let us down.

"We created several chances in the first half and got nothing. Being a goal down was no problem but we failed to keep it simple."

Ajax dominated the first half and went close after eight minutes when Ryan Babel's deflected shot hit a post, but they squandered a hatful of chances.

Spaniard Gabri twice headed wide from close range, while a fierce strike from the edge of the penalty area was saved by goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen.

But just as in Copenhagen a fortnight earlier the Ajax defense proved vulnerable at set pieces.

Ajax defender Vermaelen's own goal came when he changed the direction of a cross from the right flank to put Copenhagen ahead over the two legs.

Ten minutes before time Klaas-Jan Huntelaar headed against the bar, but Ajax could not find the goal that would have taken the match into extra time and Copenhagen held on for a famous win.

Levski cheer

Levski Sofia became the first Bulgarian team to reach the group stages of the Champions League when they drew 2-2 with Chievo Verona to seal a 4-2 aggregate win over the Italians on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian champions went 1-0 up on the night when midfielder Dimitar Telkiyski took advantage of a poor Chievo clearance to score in the 35th minute.

The Italian side tried to force their way back into contention, visiting keeper Giorgi Petkov turning a header by Brazilian striker Amauri round the post, but Cedric Bardon put Levski 2-0 ahead in the 47th minute.

Amauri pulled two goals back for Chievo, first heading in a corner and then sliding in to poke in a cross with his studs.

But the gloss was taken off the Italians' good second-half performance, when defender Salvatore Lanna was red-carded for elbowing Emil Angelov and Levski's night was marred when Lucio was sent off for a second yellow card deep in stoppage time.

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