Crystal Palace: Club Overview

Crystal Palace is a football club that doesn't stand out, but doesn't allow itself to be forgotten. It's easy to underestimate him, but even easier to admire the way he lives, plays and holds his own in the Premier League despite all the challenges. Founded in 1905 in South London, the club is named after the Glass Pavilion that stood in Hyde Park.

Today, Palace is no longer just a district team, but a full-fledged part of English elite football. Without gloss, without pathos, but with character.

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\"Crystal Palace is a club that knows how to survive among the strongest, staying true to itself.\"
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Crystal Palace history

The first years of Palace were similar to the stories of hundreds of other English teams: local tournaments, amateur squads, lack of much recognition. But even in that period, the club began to form its stubbornness — the ability to withstand setbacks and bounce back.

In the 20th century, the team played in the second division several times, and in the early 70s it entered the elite for the first time. It was difficult to stay there: relegation, return, relegation — all this became part of the club's DNA. And despite this, Pelas did not dissolve.

The period in the 80s and 90s was an important stage. The club then reached the 1990 FA Cup Final, where they lost to Manchester United only after a replay. There were seasons in the Premier League, but also moments when the team teetered on the brink of bankruptcy.

Pelas was not immediately relegated, as many expected. On the contrary, the team established itself, began to play aggressively, with pressure, sometimes even inconvenient for the giants. Since then, the club has held a place in the Premier League and proves every time: he is not here by chance.

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Crystal Palace stadium

Selhurst Park is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in London. Opened in 1924, it is not the most modern, but it has what many giants lack: sincerity. They don't just watch football here — they live it here.

Holds just over 25k spectators and that's enough to create a loud, dense noise that keeps the team in the game even when the power is low. The most famous grandstand — the \"Holmesdale Stand\" — is the heart of the arena. This is where the most support, the most songs and the most faith come from.

The stadium is tucked away in a residential area, with narrow streets and houses nearby. And this adds charm: at Selhurst football is really in the palm of your hand. Here, everything is at arm's length — the field, the players, and even emotions.

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\"Selhurst Park is a place where football is felt in every cell.\"
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Crystal Palace achievements

There are no big trophies in Crystal Palace, but there are important milestones:

1990 — FA Cup final, defeat of Manchester United in replay.
2013 — victory in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, return to the Premier League.
The highest place in the Premier League is 10th.

The main achievement of the club is stability and presence at the highest level, despite limited resources.

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Crystal Palace famous players

Wilfried Zaa is a member of the club, a symbol of the team, a technical and charismatic leader.
Julian Speroni is a legendary goalkeeper, more than 10 years at the club.
Jason Puncheon, Milei Jediniak, Scott Dunn — players who helped maintain stability.
Today's stars are Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise, young talents with huge potential.

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\"Pelas doesn't buy big names — it grows character.\"
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Crystal Palace interesting facts

One of the few clubs whose stadium is located right in a residential area.
The name of the club is associated with the exhibition building \"Crystal Palace\" in south London.
The club has a real mascot eagle named Kyla who flies over the pitch before some matches.

It's worth noting that Crystal Palace is a club with character that knows how to stand up to the favourites while staying true to its roots. His story is about struggle, endurance and real football.

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Launched in 2021, this tournament sits below the prestigious Champions League and Europa League in the European club competition hierarchy. The UEFA Europa Conference League football competition was specifically designed to provide competitive opportunities for clubs from smaller European leagues that typically wouldn't qualify for the more established tournaments.\n\nSince its inception, the UEFA Europa Conference League has grown significantly in popularity, offering a platform for clubs from nations with lower UEFA coefficients to experience continental competition. The UEFA Europa Conference League statistics show that winners are rewarded with automatic qualification to the next season's Europa League, creating a meaningful pathway for progression in European football.\n\n## History\n\nThe UEFA Europa Conference League history begins with discussions in the mid-2010s when UEFA officials recognized the need for a more inclusive European competition structure. The concept was officially confirmed by UEFA in December 2018 after extensive consultation with member associations. The UEFA Europa Conference League creation was motivated by a desire to increase participation opportunities for clubs from countries with fewer automatic qualification spots in the existing European tournaments.\n\nThe inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League season kicked off in 2021, marking a significant milestone in the UEFA Europa Conference League development. The competition has quickly established itself as a valuable addition to the European football landscape. In its short history, the tournament has already seen prestigious clubs like **AS Roma**, **West Ham United**, **Olympiacos**, and **Chelsea** lift the trophy, adding to the competition's growing prestige.\n\n## Competition Format\n\nThe UEFA Europa Conference League format has evolved since its introduction. The current structure features a league stage with 36 participating teams, replacing the traditional group stage format. In this system, each club plays eight matches against different opponents, creating more varied competition experiences for participating teams.\n\nUnder the UEFA Europa Conference League rules, the top eight teams from the league phase automatically advance to the knockout stage. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th position compete in play-in rounds to determine who joins the knockout phase. The UEFA Europa Conference League tournament then proceeds with two-legged ties for the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, and Semi-finals, culminating in a single-match Final at a neutral venue.\n\nQualification for the competition primarily comes through domestic league positions (typically below Europa League qualification places), relegation from Europa League qualifying rounds, or through domestic cup competitions in some cases.\n\n## Famous Teams\n\nDespite its recent establishment, the UEFA Europa Conference League teams already include several prominent European clubs seeking continental success. **AS Roma** made history by becoming the inaugural champions in the 2021-22 season under legendary manager José Mourinho. **West Ham United** followed as the second champions, bringing European silverware to East London for the first time in decades.\n\nOther notable UEFA Europa Conference League clubs include **Fiorentina**, who have reached multiple finals but have yet to claim the trophy, demonstrating both the quality and competitiveness of the tournament. **Olympiacos** from Greece became champions in 2023-24, while English giants **Chelsea** claimed the title in 2024-25, further enhancing the competition's reputation.\n\nThe competition has featured intriguing UEFA Europa Conference League winners from various countries, helping to diversify the European football landscape and creating new continental rivalries.\n\n## Statistics and Records\n\nThough still in its infancy, the UEFA Europa Conference League records are beginning to take shape. The competition has already produced memorable statistical achievements across its short history. With four different champions from four different nations in its first four seasons, the UEFA Europa Conference League statistics demonstrate the tournament's competitive balance.\n\nThe competition has proven to be a platform for both established stars and emerging talents to showcase their abilities on the European stage. UEFA Europa Conference League players have used the tournament as a springboard to more prominent careers, with scouts from major clubs regularly attending matches to identify promising talent from lesser-known leagues.\n\nAs the competition matures, more long-term UEFA Europa Conference League records will undoubtedly emerge, including top goalscorers, most appearances, and most successful clubs and nations.\n\n## Current State\n\nThe current UEFA Europa Conference League season continues to build on the solid foundation established in its early years. The competition now features 36 teams in its league phase, creating more matches and opportunities for clubs across Europe. The UEFA Europa Conference League today represents an important developmental step for clubs from nations with limited access to other European competitions.\n\nThe UEFA Europa Conference League overview reveals that the tournament has successfully fulfilled its mission of making European football more inclusive. By providing meaningful competition for a wider range of clubs across the continent, it has enhanced the competitive balance of European football. The UEFA Europa Conference League season structure ensures that clubs from smaller associations gain valuable experience against diverse opposition, helping to raise standards across the continent.\n\n## Interesting Facts\n\nSeveral UEFA Europa Conference League interesting developments have occurred since its inception. Perhaps most notably, the competition has already attracted some of football's biggest names, with José Mourinho leading Roma to become the inaugural champions. The tournament has quickly established a reputation for exciting, unpredictable football.\n\nOne of the most fascinating UEFA Europa Conference League facts is how it has created a pathway for clubs from smaller nations to progress to higher-tier European competitions. Several clubs have used their Conference League experience as a stepping stone to later success in the Europa League.\n\nThe UEFA Europa Conference League stories of success extend beyond the pitch, with participating clubs reporting significant financial and commercial benefits from their involvement. For many smaller clubs, qualification represents a substantial financial windfall through ticket sales, broadcast revenue, and increased commercial opportunities.\n\nThe rapid growth in the UEFA Europa Conference League's prestige and popularity demonstrates the appetite for more inclusive European competition. By providing meaningful continental matches for a wider range of clubs, UEFA has successfully expanded the European football ecosystem while maintaining competitive integrity.","active":true,"short_code":"UEFA ECL","category":1,"top_position":null,"stb_internal_id":"0192fb89-88eb-70fd-b4da-68ae56c80e08","overrides":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"inactive":null,"description_html":"

UEFA Europa Conference League

Introduction

The UEFA Europa Conference League is the third-tier continental club football competition established by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). Launched in 2021, this tournament sits below the prestigious Champions League and Europa League in the European club competition hierarchy. The UEFA Europa Conference League football competition was specifically designed to provide competitive opportunities for clubs from smaller European leagues that typically wouldn't qualify for the more established tournaments.

Since its inception, the UEFA Europa Conference League has grown significantly in popularity, offering a platform for clubs from nations with lower UEFA coefficients to experience continental competition. The UEFA Europa Conference League statistics show that winners are rewarded with automatic qualification to the next season's Europa League, creating a meaningful pathway for progression in European football.

History

The UEFA Europa Conference League history begins with discussions in the mid-2010s when UEFA officials recognized the need for a more inclusive European competition structure. The concept was officially confirmed by UEFA in December 2018 after extensive consultation with member associations. The UEFA Europa Conference League creation was motivated by a desire to increase participation opportunities for clubs from countries with fewer automatic qualification spots in the existing European tournaments.

The inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League season kicked off in 2021, marking a significant milestone in the UEFA Europa Conference League development. The competition has quickly established itself as a valuable addition to the European football landscape. In its short history, the tournament has already seen prestigious clubs like AS Roma, West Ham United, Olympiacos, and Chelsea lift the trophy, adding to the competition's growing prestige.

Competition Format

The UEFA Europa Conference League format has evolved since its introduction. The current structure features a league stage with 36 participating teams, replacing the traditional group stage format. In this system, each club plays eight matches against different opponents, creating more varied competition experiences for participating teams.

Under the UEFA Europa Conference League rules, the top eight teams from the league phase automatically advance to the knockout stage. Teams finishing between 9th and 24th position compete in play-in rounds to determine who joins the knockout phase. The UEFA Europa Conference League tournament then proceeds with two-legged ties for the Round of 16, Quarter-finals, and Semi-finals, culminating in a single-match Final at a neutral venue.

Qualification for the competition primarily comes through domestic league positions (typically below Europa League qualification places), relegation from Europa League qualifying rounds, or through domestic cup competitions in some cases.

Famous Teams

Despite its recent establishment, the UEFA Europa Conference League teams already include several prominent European clubs seeking continental success. AS Roma made history by becoming the inaugural champions in the 2021-22 season under legendary manager José Mourinho. West Ham United followed as the second champions, bringing European silverware to East London for the first time in decades.

Other notable UEFA Europa Conference League clubs include Fiorentina, who have reached multiple finals but have yet to claim the trophy, demonstrating both the quality and competitiveness of the tournament. Olympiacos from Greece became champions in 2023-24, while English giants Chelsea claimed the title in 2024-25, further enhancing the competition's reputation.

The competition has featured intriguing UEFA Europa Conference League winners from various countries, helping to diversify the European football landscape and creating new continental rivalries.

Statistics and Records

Though still in its infancy, the UEFA Europa Conference League records are beginning to take shape. The competition has already produced memorable statistical achievements across its short history. With four different champions from four different nations in its first four seasons, the UEFA Europa Conference League statistics demonstrate the tournament's competitive balance.

The competition has proven to be a platform for both established stars and emerging talents to showcase their abilities on the European stage. UEFA Europa Conference League players have used the tournament as a springboard to more prominent careers, with scouts from major clubs regularly attending matches to identify promising talent from lesser-known leagues.

As the competition matures, more long-term UEFA Europa Conference League records will undoubtedly emerge, including top goalscorers, most appearances, and most successful clubs and nations.

Current State

The current UEFA Europa Conference League season continues to build on the solid foundation established in its early years. The competition now features 36 teams in its league phase, creating more matches and opportunities for clubs across Europe. The UEFA Europa Conference League today represents an important developmental step for clubs from nations with limited access to other European competitions.

The UEFA Europa Conference League overview reveals that the tournament has successfully fulfilled its mission of making European football more inclusive. By providing meaningful competition for a wider range of clubs across the continent, it has enhanced the competitive balance of European football. The UEFA Europa Conference League season structure ensures that clubs from smaller associations gain valuable experience against diverse opposition, helping to raise standards across the continent.

Interesting Facts

Several UEFA Europa Conference League interesting developments have occurred since its inception. Perhaps most notably, the competition has already attracted some of football's biggest names, with José Mourinho leading Roma to become the inaugural champions. The tournament has quickly established a reputation for exciting, unpredictable football.

One of the most fascinating UEFA Europa Conference League facts is how it has created a pathway for clubs from smaller nations to progress to higher-tier European competitions. Several clubs have used their Conference League experience as a stepping stone to later success in the Europa League.

The UEFA Europa Conference League stories of success extend beyond the pitch, with participating clubs reporting significant financial and commercial benefits from their involvement. For many smaller clubs, qualification represents a substantial financial windfall through ticket sales, broadcast revenue, and increased commercial opportunities.

The rapid growth in the UEFA Europa Conference League's prestige and popularity demonstrates the appetite for more inclusive European competition. By providing meaningful continental matches for a wider range of clubs, UEFA has successfully expanded the European football ecosystem while maintaining competitive integrity.

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Daichi Kamada: Profile