Oliver Glasner couldn't hide his emotion after Crystal Palace made history, reaching their first-ever European final. "This is why you dream of being a footballer," he said, reflecting on a night that will live long in the memory of every Palace fan.

The Eagles secured a 2-1 victory on the night against Shakhtar Donetsk in south London, advancing 5-2 on aggregate to book their place in the UEFA Conference League final. Ismaila Sarr's goal and a Pedro Henrique own goal did the damage, but for Glasner, it was the spirit of his team that truly stood out.

"It was really exciting. Everyone could see how good Shakhtar are, so huge credit to my players," Glasner said. "They stuck to the plan and worked so hard. We talk about 'mentality' and you look at the second goal – three players got fouled but they always continued play. That shows everything about this team."

The Austrian manager, who took charge midway through the season, has transformed Palace into a side that combines grit with flair. He emphasized the importance of unity, revealing how he motivated his squad before the match. "Before the game, we showed them three clips from the first leg. They weren't about football tactics. They were about mentality – how they fought for each other, the commitment to the team. We showed them when the three centre-backs and Dean Henderson were jumping chest to chest, celebrating together. That is amazing."

The electric atmosphere at Selhurst Park was a fitting backdrop for such a milestone. "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 is doing for Crystal Palace."

Glasner also shared a poignant moment with chairman Steve Parish before the match. "I spoke to the chairman before the game. 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 can 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."

For Palace fans, this is more than just a final – it's the culmination of a journey built on resilience, teamwork, and a never-say-die attitude. And for Glasner, it's a reminder that in football, dreams really do come true.