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Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar 5-2 on aggregate to book their first-ever European final

Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar 5-2 on aggregate to book their first-ever European final in an emotional night at Selhurst Park.

Shakhtar had scored an own goal 25 minutes in, before Eguinaldo levelled 10 minutes later. The tie was beyond doubt when Ismaila Sarr put Palace 2-1 (5-2 agg) on the 52nd minute.

Oliver Glasner’s side will take on Rayo Vallecano in the final after the Spanish side beat Strasbourg in the other semi-final 1-0 (2-0 on aggregate).

The Conference League Final will take place at Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena on the 27th of May.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, said to TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “It was really exciting. Everyone could see how good Shakhtar are so huge credit to my players. They stick to the plan and work so hard.

“We talk about ‘mentality’ and you look at the second goal – three players got fouled but they always continue play. This shows everything about this team.

“Fantastic atmosphere. This is why you dream of being a football player as a little boy, this is the reward you get. We are in our next final together. It is amazing what this group are doing for Crystal Palace.

“Before the game, we showed them three clips from the first leg; they were not football topics. [We showed them] mentality, how they fought for eachother, the commitment for the team. We showed them when the three centre-backs and Dean Henderson jumping chest to chest, celebrating together. This is amazing.

“I spoke to the chairman [Steve Parish] before, he always comes in to my office before the game when players are warming up.

“I said to him ‘do you ever think we would be playing in the semi-final of a European competition at Selhurst Park?’ He said ‘no’. I said ‘when we talked for the first time three years ago, I didn’t think about it.’

“This is what you an achieve if you work hard and stick together in tough moments – and we have had a few tough moments – but it was always more noise around us rather than inside. When you stick together in difficult moments, it is possible and you get the reward.”

He continued: “It’s my fourth consecutive final in my fourth consecutive full season; Europa League, German Cup, FA Cup and now this.

“It’s massive for me personally. Everyone around me knows that when I announced to leave, it was my duty to work even harder and deliver as a manager to make our fans proud. We have three weeks to prepare and analyse Rayo Vallecano, a very good team.

“It will be fantastic. You always want your last game to be for something, for silverware. I promise that we will give everything we have to bring it back to Selhurst.

“I just gave them tomorrow off. We had a bad experience after the first leg against Shakhtar, we trained the next day and they weren’t sharp. Maybe this will help when they are out somewhere in London.

“I said to the players that we won’t wave the white flag against Everton but I think it’s important they enjoy themselves, rest and we will meet on Saturday to prepare for Everton. It’s about getting everything planned in the right way.

Crystal Palace captain Dean Henderson said to TNT Sports: “It’s incredible for the football club. You see the connection between the players and the supporters, it’s fantastic. It’s unbelievable.

“The manager came in, made this team believe we can win any game. It’s been a difficult season obviously with the amount of games we’ve played – but we’ve delivered another final, which is fantastic.

“It’s been difficult. Just the amount of games. We had a small squad leading in December, January but we’ve managed to push through now.”

He continued: “When you come in from a game like that last season [the FA Cup final], it gives you confidence and makes you hungry for the next thing. We’ve got an ambitious group of players as well, don’t forget that.

“It’s pretty incredible honestly to get into a European competition with Crystal Palace, never mind make the final. We’ve got to deliver something special. We need to get back what we deserve as well [Europa League qualification].”

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton speaking to TNT Sports: “It’s amazing. This is the best Selhurst Park has been in my two years here. Unbelievable atmosphere and you can tell how much it means to south London. It’s an incredible feeling. One I’ll never forget.

“Everyone at the club wants to do well. First trophy in 120 years last year and we are trying to get another for the fans. You get goosebumps, it’s incredible.

“It’s incredibly difficult [in Europe] with more games, a small squad, we were running thin in December and January but we grinded through it and the fans stuck with us. This is the reward we get.”

Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta added: “I am very happy. Crystal Palace, we did it, we are in the final. We are focussed on the final.

“We celebrate for the final, and after we will be focussed. The party is only in the dressing room!”

Here’s how fans reacted after Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar 5-2 on aggregate to book their first-ever European final…

@Ed_Acteson: Seen this club on the brink of extinction twice and now we’re in a European final. Unbelievable 🔴🔵🦅

@UberWestHam: Getting kicked out the Europa League was the best thing that could’ve happened to you all, enjoy the unreal memories 👏

@EagleMarkCPFC: @CPFC you have been told so many times that you must be doing it in purpose, not one fan in the ground wanted music blasted over the celebrations! #cpfc

@jakeyh77: The maddest thing ever. In the last 12 months, we’ve won the FA Cup, the community shield, gone 19 games undefeated, played a debut season in Europe & will now be playing in a European final. And if you told me then, I would never have believed any of it. 🔴🔵🦅

@kdmm1000: Have to say the @FCShakhtar_eng fans were brilliant over the two games, so sporting and welcoming to us Palace fans in the home end in Krakow, and just passionate and committed in what must be a difficult situation for them, class fans and club all round 👍#shaktar #cpfc

@Nyerider: Our players head towards the Holmesdale post match, fans in full voice, yet the club blast ‘freed from desire’ and kill the moment. That annoys me more than it should maybe, but it’s ridiculously short-sighted and out-of-touch by whoever’s decision it was. #cpfc

@todwellscat: Just finding this whole experience a bit surreal. We’re going to Leipzig to watch Crystal Palace play in a European Final. It’s the sort of dream you have after an evening eating strong cheese. #CPFC

@gogs42: Phenomenal achievement, I cannot wait till the final, we’re on our way on our way…. 🔴🔵 @CEO4TAG

@Miners_Weekly: I’m so grateful to every Crystal Palace fan I have interacted with over the last couple of weeks. Surely one of the friendliest fan bases. I will be cheering you on from Leipzig. When you win the trophy, it will be the most memorable night of your lives ❤️

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