Ajax to play in Europa League after third-placed finish in the Champions League
Amsterdam, Dec 11 (IANS) Ajax beat Apoel Nicosia 4-0 to finish third in Champions League Group F and continue their European journey in the Europa League. Ajax and Apoel were already eliminated from the last 16 of the Champions League, but both could have reached the Europa League.
Ajax, who collected two points after five matches, needed at last a draw, while Apoel, who were on one point, needed a win in the last match of the group stage.
Ajax equalled the biggest European victory under coach Frank de Boer, who started his spell at Ajax in December 2010. After Feyenoord en PSV, who qualified through the group phase of the Europa League, Ajax became the third Dutch club to progress to the last 32 of the Europa League.
FC Barcelona, who beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Wednesday, went through to the next round of the Champions League as winners of Group F, together with number two PSG.