Crystal Palace has reached the UEFA Conference League final after defeating Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final round.

The victory marks a historic milestone for the London-based club, ending a 120-year [1] wait for a place in a European final. This progression elevates the team's profile on the international stage and validates the tactical shift under current management.

Crystal Palace secured their place in the final with an aggregate score of five-two [2] against the Ukrainian side. The result follows a series of performances that manager Oliver Glasner said were reflective of the squad's quality and hard work.

Glasner said the result was a "huge achievement" [3]. He previously noted the team's trajectory during the tournament, saying, "We deserve to be in the Conference League semi-finals" [4].

The manager maintained a lighthearted tone regarding the praise he has received from supporters following the result. In a reflection on the club's success, Glasner said, "If they ever build a statue, I just hope I don’t have to sculpt it myself" [5].

The club now prepares for the final match, marking the first time the organization has reached this stage of a European competition. The journey to the final has been characterized by a dominant offensive display, culminating in the multi-goal aggregate lead over Shakhtar Donetsk.

“huge achievement”

This achievement represents the most significant European success in the history of Crystal Palace. By breaking a century-long drought of final appearances, the club establishes a new competitive benchmark for its operations and increases its attractiveness to elite talent in the transfer market.