Crystal Palace Faces Shakhtar Donetsk in Europa Conference League Semi-Final Showdown
The stage is set for an exciting clash as Crystal Palace takes on Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the Europa Conference League semi-final. With Oliver Glasner nearing the end of his tenure at Crystal Palace, the stakes are high as the club aims to secure their second major trophy, having previously claimed their first after 120 years. The Eagles advanced to this stage after a convincing 3-0 victory against Fiorentina in the quarter-finals, allowing them to manage a 2-1 loss in the second leg comfortably. In the opposing corner, Arda Turan leads Shakhtar Donetsk into battle, looking to add a second European trophy to their cabinet after winning the Uefa Cup in 2009. Turan's squad comes into this match following a dominant 5-2 aggregate win over AZ Alkmaar. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, Turan emphasizes resilience, stating, “Every day shows that this nation never gives up.” The match is set to kick off at 8pm BST at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium, where Shakhtar has hosted their home games this season due to the ongoing conflict. Both teams are eager to seize the opportunity to advance to the final, promising an intense battle on the pitch.
Source: The Guardian Sport - 2026-04-30