The greater part of the match, which was played in Trondheim before a capacity crowd of 18,625, was dominated by the hosts, who went on the offence from the outset in search of the equaliser. A score of 1-0 in favour of the hosts during regulation time would send the match into overtime. In contrast, Panathinaikos concentrated on defence from the opening whistle in an attempt to preserve their slim, single-goal advantage. But Rosenborg's assault strategy paid off, as the Norwegians were unrelentless and finally opened the score in the 63rd minute, after Roar Strand pivoted and tucked the ball past Panathinaikos keeper Jozef Wandzik.
Rosenborg succeeded in protecting their 1-0 lead for the remainder of regulation time, throwing the match into overtime. Just five minutes into extra time, Steffen Iversen found the back of Panathinaikos' net, giving the Norwegians a 2-1 aggregate lead. In the 98th, Vegard Heggem put the match away with a picture-perfect blast from the edge of the box which sailed into Wandzik's top righthand corner.
Panathinaikos' initial strategy on the field came in direct contrast to a statement made by their coach, Juan Ramon Rocha, prior to the match. "Offence might well prove to be the best defence," he said, hinting that his side would perhaps go on the attack. Rocha not taken his side's opponents lightly before the opening kickoff. "Rosenborg are a dangerous side," he said, "but it is unlikely that they will change their style of play for the match. I still believe that the end result will depend in our performance." Despite the loss, Panathinaikos will now participate in this year's Uefa Cup. The game was one of eight second-leg matches played last night in the Champions League (European Cup) qualifying round.