'Everything is possible' - Glasner hopes Palace can win Europa League next season
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UEFA Conference League LIVE - Build up to Crystal Palace's first ever European final as they take on Rayo Vallecano
We have all the build up as Crystal Palace play in their first ever European final. They are taking on Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig for the chance to win the UEFA Conference League in what is Oliver Glasner's final game in charge of the club. We'll also keep you updated with any news you need to know ahead of Saturday's UEFA Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.
By Lewis Mason | Updated 27/05/2026 at 16:48 GMT+1
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16:00
Four hours to go...
How are the nerves? We're fast-approaching kick-off in Leipzig!
This is where we leave you, but we will continue the build-up on our live match blog.
Here are some key times ahead of the action:
NOW - Switch to our live match coverage here.
18:30 - Coverage begins on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, and HBO Max
19:00 - Team news
20:00 - Kick-off
Conference League trophy
Image credit: Getty Images
15:52
Doucoure and Nketiah soak up atmosphere in Leipzig
Crystal Palace will be without Cheick Doucoure and Eddie Nketiah for tonight's match due to their long-term injury issues.
But both players are in Leipzig and have been mingling with Palace supporters at the fan zone in the city.
"We've all contributed to get this point so it's just good to be able to be out here, see so many fans, get amongst it," Nketiah said.
"I sense a bit of excitement around the boys. Everyone's looking forward to the opportunity. We know what a massive opportunity it is and how much joy we can bring to the fans."
Asked about his feelings ahead of the match, Doucoure said: "We are excited today for the final and I hope the boys will do the job today. Bring it home."
15:36
"The most important match" for Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano president Raúl Martín Presa has been speaking to reporters in Germany ahead of tonight's match, and laid out exactly what it would mean for the club to lift the trophy - at the expense of Crystal Palace.
"It is the most important match in the history of the Club, the one we've been dreaming of for 102 years," he said.
15:28
Ward joins TNT Sports team for UEFA Conference League final
Former Crystal Palace captain Joel Ward will be with the TNT Sports team in Leipzig tonight.
He will be providing analysis alongside a team including Glenn Hoddle and Joleon Lescott.
Ward has already been soaking up the atmosphere in Germany and joined Palace fans at a fan zone in the city.
15:19
"Quite simply, this sort of thing isn’t supposed to happen for Palace."
Ibrahim Mustapha has been looking at why a remarkable pursuit of UEFA Conference League glory has 'changed lives' at Crystal Palace.
He has been speaking to fans in Leipzig ahead of tonight's match to get their thoughts on the achievements of Oliver Glasner and his team.
15:11
How to watch Crystal Palace v Rayo Vallecano
You can watch the Conference League final on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through HBO Max, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder.
Live coverage starts at 18:30 UK time ahead of a 20:00 kick-off.
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Image credit: Getty Images
15:00
Glasner sticks to training plan
While Rayo Vallecano took a look at the surroundings in Leipzig with a training session, Crystal Palace turned down their chance to train at the stadium ahead of tonight's match.
Oliver Glasner explained in his pre-match press conference that it is a normal trend for his team.
"It actually started during the Europa League season that we didn't train in the away stadiums, because you don't have much time to train anyway, and as a rule we still train in standard situations the day before the game.
"But, of course, you can't do that in the opposing stadium, so we said, let's do the final training at home, where we can pull up the curtains. And that was actually from the beginning, and we went through with that until the final, and we always kept it that way in the competition.
"It would have been possible to train here, but then we said ‘no, we're familiar with this rhythm, it fits us well, we're in the right environment, and we'll fly later’.
"[On keeping to that routine] No, I don't think that's the only reason why we can win tomorrow!"
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Image credit: Getty Images
14:47
Paris Saint-Germain v Arsenal
When tonight's UEFA Conference League final is done, there will still be one more big European final to come with Paris Saint-Germain aiming to retain their title in the UEFA Champions League when they take on Arsenal in Budapest.
The match kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Mikel Arteta's side have already been crowned Premier League champions and, if they win in Hungary, their season could be considered one of the best ever of an English side.
Manchester United and Manchester City have both secured trebles in previous seasons, while Arsenal once had a team of 'invincibles'.
Where would you rank this season's achievements of Arsenal?
14:35
Ward hoping to witness more Palace glory
The last time Crystal Palace lifted a trophy, it was Joel Ward who was tasked with raising the FA Cup high to the sky at Wembley as the club won its first ever major silverware.
He's in Leipzig today as part of the TNT Sports team, and he can't wait for the game to get underway...
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Europa League qualification would be 'the cherry on the cake' for Palace - Ward
Video credit: TNT Sports
14:28
The calm before the storm...
14:17
Tonight's venue
While Selhurst Park will be full of Palace fans watching on big screens, the lucky ticket holders will be in attendance in Leipzig.
Palace and Rayo Vallecano fans will be joined by dignitaries and special guests to take in the action at closer quarters at the Red Bull Arena.
Here are some facts about tonight's venue:
- The stadium is home to Bundesliga side RB Leipzig
- It has a capacity of 47,800 (including space for 10,500 standing fans).
- The stadium was built on the footprint of the old Zentralstadion
- The arena was completed in 2004
- It was the only stadium in former East Germany to host games at the 2006 World Cup
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Image credit: Getty Images
14:02
Support from home
13,000 Crystal Palace fans will be backing them in Leipzig, but they will also be cheered on from home as Selhurst Park opens its doors to Palace supporters.
Big screens will show the game to those wanting to watch the game with fellow fans from the UK - with Palace legends in attendance.
The club call it "the ultimate way to enjoy the Conference League Final from the heart of South London".
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Image credit: Getty Images
13:47
Perez 'visualised' a final against Palace
Like Oliver Glasner, Inigo Perez is trying to lead his club to a first ever European trophy.
Like Oliver Glasner, Inigo Perez is likely to be leading his club out for the final time.
Perez has been heavily linked with the Villarreal job, but has refused to speak about it until after tonight's final.
He's been speaking ahead of the game to reveal how he always thought this is how the competition would end.
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'Hopefully we secure victory' - How Perez 'visualised' facing Palace in final
Video credit: SNTV
13:34
Rayo Vallecano team news
Ilias Akhomach, Diego Mendez and Carlos Martin are all injury doubts ahead of tonight's final, while Luiz Felipe has already been ruled out.
Alvaro Garcia should be part of the squad after missing six La Liga games on the bounce. But he returned with a 45 minute run-out against Alaves in their final match of the domestic season.
Palace will come up against a familiar face when ex-Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune lines up against them.
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Image credit: Getty Images
13:21
Rayo Vallecano's road to the final
Standing in the way of Crystal Palace's European glory are Rayo Vallecano.
The Spanish side made it through the qualifying play-offs to reach the league phase of the competition, where they finished 5th, with 13 points from their 6 matches.
As they navigated the knockout stages, they fought off two of the teams that finished above them in the league phase - AEK Athens and Strasbourg - to reach the final.
- Last 16 1st leg - Samsunspor 1-3 Rayo Vallecano
- Last 16 2nd leg - Rayo Vallecano 0-1 Samsunspor
- QF 1st leg - Rayo Vallecano 3-0 AEK Athens
- QF 2nd leg - AEK Athens 3-1 Rayo Vallecano
- SF 1st leg - Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Strasbourg
- SF 2nd leg - Strasbourg 0-1 Rayo Vallecano
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Highlights: Rayo triumph over Strasbourg to set up Palace final
Video credit: TNT Sports
13:05
'Everything is possible'
Oliver Glasner has been in a reflective mood ahead of tonight's final - looking back on his achievements with Crystal Palace, but fully aware of his opportunity to add another huge accolade to his resume.
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‘Memories stay forever’ - Glasner hails FA Cup glory and looks to ‘huge’ Conference League final
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12:53
Palace seal final spot
The semi-finals paired Palace with Shakhtar Donetsk and Glasner's side were emphatic as they secured a 5-2 aggregate win to make it into the final.
"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," he said.
Glasner already secured his place as a Palace legend with their FA Cup win last year, and now he is just one win away from becoming the first manager to ever bring a European trophy to the club.
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Highlights: Palace reach Conference League final with famous win over Shakhtar
Video credit: TNT Sports
12:44
Glasner perfects the Italian job
As they moved into the quarter-finals, Palace came up against Fiorentina, and an emphatic first leg performance put them in pole position to progress.
They took a 3-0 lead to Florence and, despite losing the second leg 2-1, it was a night to celebrate for Palace.
And celebrate they did, with Oliver Glasner granting them a night out in the Italian city - hoping it worked as a lucky ritual from his previous taste of European glory.
”This was the same as what the Frankfurt players asked when they won the quarter-final. I agreed a few years ago that the players can go out, and I agreed tonight that the players can go out. Hopefully the ending of the story will be the same.”
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Henderson stops interview to start chant with Palace fans
Video credit: TNT Sports
12:37
Extra-time drama takes Palace to the quarters
Ismaila Sarr scored twice as Palace edged past nine-man AEK Larnaca in extra-time in the last-16 to move into the quarter-finals of the Conference League.
The first leg ended goalless at Selhurst Park, before Palace won it on a long night in Cyprus.
Oliver Glasner called their progression "a huge achievement."
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Highlights: Sarr magic guides Palace past Larnaca after extra time
Video credit: TNT Sports
12:26
PALACE MOVE PAST MOSTAR
The Eagles' league phase campaign was hardly convincing after picking up 10 points from their six games.
That meant Oliver Glasner's side had to negotiate the knockout phase play-off round, where they faced Bosnia side Zrinjski Mostar.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, a goal each from Maxence Lacroix and Evan Guessand sealed a place in the round of 16.
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Highlights: Wharton magic guides Palace into last 16
Video credit: TNT Sports