There are few moments in football—and perhaps none more special for a Crystal Palace fan—when you can truly let the celebrations begin before the final whistle blows. Last year, as Ismaila Sarr swept home the third goal in the FA Cup semi-final, the crowd erupted into party mode. On Thursday, Sarr once again gave the team a three-goal cushion in a semi-final, this time on aggregate. With 40 minutes still on the clock, the fans were already celebrating what felt like a ticket to Leipzig.

Many had pre-booked their travel after the 3-1 first leg—an optimistic gamble from a fanbase usually grounded in pragmatism. But this squad has earned that faith. Over the past decade, Selhurst Park has been the stage for countless unforgettable nights, and the Shakhtar match certainly ranks among the best. A crowd in unison, fully invested in every player on the pitch—it was a moment that reminded everyone why we love this game.

Our first taste of a European campaign has been an eye-opening journey. It was never going to be all sunshine and rainbows; it's been a grind. But given the relentless fixture list, travel demands, and constant challenges, the goal has been simple: find a way to reach the final 16, then the final eight, and so on. There are no style points in knockout football—the manner of victory doesn't matter. And in that sense, Palace have unquestionably succeeded.

Much of the credit for how the team has navigated these knockout ties goes to Oliver Glasner, who already has a Europa League medal to his name. His experience has been evident in the way Palace have managed each two-legged affair. Not every match has been pristine, but they've controlled the ties, never letting them slip out of reach.

Now, Rayo Vallecano and Leipzig await. Thousands of Palace fans will be descending on East Germany, and it promises to be a spectacle. With everything still to play for, the energy is building—and this squad has given us every reason to believe.