Crystal Palace's remarkable European journey has taken an extraordinary turn—one that could end with a fairy-tale finish for departing manager Oliver Glasner.
Just months after desperately trying to avoid the Conference League, the Eagles are now just 90 minutes away from winning it. And what a story it would be.
On an electric night at Selhurst Park, Palace defeated Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to secure a 5-2 aggregate victory in the semi-finals. The atmosphere was nothing short of magical—the kind of night that reminds you why football is so special.
This European adventure began in an unlikely place: a Swiss courtroom. After winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025, Palace unsuccessfully appealed their demotion from the Europa League into the Conference League. What felt like a disappointment then has become something far more meaningful.
The journey has taken them across the continent—Norway, Poland, France, Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, Italy, and back to Poland. Now, there's just one stop left: the final in Leipzig, Germany, on May 27.
Standing in their way is Spanish side Rayo Vallecano, who defeated Gary O'Neil's Strasbourg 2-0 on aggregate in the other semi-final. But for Palace, this feels like destiny.
At the heart of it all is Oliver Glasner. The Austrian manager, who took charge in February 2024 and will leave this summer, is on the verge of a third trophy in an incredible tenure. Even he seems amazed by what's unfolded.
"I spoke to the chairman before the match," Glasner shared after the semi-final win. "I said, 'Do you ever think we would be playing in the semi-final of a European competition?' He said 'no'."
"When we talked for the first time three years ago, I didn't think about it either. This is what you achieve if you work hard and stick together in tough moments—and we have had a few. When you stick together in difficult moments, you get the reward."
Ismaila Sarr has been a key figure in this run, scoring his ninth goal of the competition to become the top scorer. But this has been a team effort, with every player and every fan playing their part.
"I really enjoy the European nights at Selhurst," Glasner added. "We had to grow into the competition, and the fans had to grow. If you look when we started against Larnaca..."
Victory in Leipzig would not only complete an unprecedented phase of success for the club but would also give Glasner the perfect send-off. From a team that didn't want to be in this competition to one that could lift the trophy—that's the kind of story that defines a club's legacy.