Millwall midfielder Casper De Norre is buzzing with anticipation as his side heads into the final day of the Championship season with a genuine shot at Premier League promotion. The Lions currently sit third in the table, just one point behind second-placed Ipswich Town, keeping their automatic promotion dreams very much alive.
After Ipswich's 2-2 draw with Southampton on Tuesday, the path to the top flight is clear for Millwall—though it won't be easy. The Lions must secure a win against already-relegated Oxford United at The Den on Saturday at 12:30 BST. Then, they'll need a helping hand from their London rivals Queens Park Rangers, who face Ipswich away. QPR, comfortably mid-table and on a three-game losing streak, will be playing for pride rather than stakes, but in football, anything can happen on the final day.
The biggest hurdle? Goal difference. Millwall trail Ipswich by 17 goals, meaning a straightforward win won't be enough unless Ipswich drop points. It's a tall order, but De Norre isn't backing down from the challenge.
"When I came to Millwall, in the back of my mind, I thought this might be my only chance of playing in the Premier League in my career," De Norre told BBC Radio London. "I'm 29 now—I was 26 when I arrived. It's always been my goal to achieve promotion through Millwall."
The Belgian midfielder knows exactly what this opportunity means. "Even if I just play one game in the Premier League, it would be something amazing—the highlight of my career," he said. "Four or five years ago, I never thought I'd have this chance. We still have work to do, but there's a real possibility, and that excites me."
De Norre has battled through a challenging season, making 28 Championship appearances despite a groin injury that sidelined him for four matches in March. Last season, he played in every league game for the Lions, becoming a reliable presence in the midfield.
He joined Millwall from Belgian club OH Leuven in the summer of 2023, arriving at a club that had just missed out on the Championship play-offs in dramatic fashion—throwing away a two-goal lead to lose 4-3 to Blackburn Rovers on the final day. Last season, Blackburn dealt another blow, ending Millwall's faint play-off hopes with a 4-1 defeat at Ewood Park. But this year feels different.
For De Norre, playing in the Premier League would be a dream come true. And with one game left to seal it, the Lions are ready to roar.