Crystal Palace Eyes Historic European Glory After FA Cup Triumph
Almost a year ago, Crystal Palace fans experienced a day they thought could never be topped. On Saturday, 17 May 2025, their side famously beat Manchester City to win the FA Cup—a first major trophy success in their 120-year history. Now, they find themselves just one step away from a major European final appearance, having made their debut in the Conference League. Palace booked a semi-final meeting with Shakhtar Donetsk after overcoming Fiorentina over two legs. Despite losing the second leg 2-1 on Thursday, the fans who traveled to Italy remained jubilant after winning the opener 3-0 at Selhurst Park. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson expressed the sentiment, stating: "This is unbelievable for this football club, sensational... the togetherness in the group is phenomenal." When the Conference League was introduced in 2021, its value was questioned, but it has provided teams a chance to win a major European trophy. Roma became the inaugural winners, followed by West Ham, who celebrated a dramatic last-minute success against Fiorentina. Palace fans aspire for similar glory. Former defender James Tomkins noted the incredible progress, stating they never expected to be in a European competition but now feel they can go all the way. However, midway through the season, Palace faced challenges as manager Oliver Glasner criticized the club's ownership and announced he would leave at the end of the season. Despite concerns, the team's form improved, leading to victories over Zrinjski Mostar, AEK Larnaca, and Fiorentina. Striker Ismaila Starr has been pivotal, scoring his seventh goal in the competition during the recent loss. His scoring variety has been crucial, with 17 goals in all competitions this season.
Source: BBC Sport - 2026-04-16