Soccer
Jubilant Crystal Palace players react after winning Conference League final
The Champions League final on DAZN (US, CA, NZ)
Crystal Palace ended their season on a high note, claiming the UEFA Conference League trophy after defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig on Wednesday.
The Eagles have had a rough year, finishing 15th in the Premier League standings after losing a number of high-profile players. But Wednesday's victory, which landed the club's first European silverware, ensured that the campaign with close with positivity.
And the Palace players were awash in the good vibes after the match.
"I feel fantastic! I feel fantastic! We did it! First time in Europe and we did it. Now I just want to celebrate," Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored the game's lone goal in the 50th minute, told TNT Sports.
"We gave everything. I told you about the intensity they will have and I am tired right now, I gave everything. That's why we won today.
"I am always with the fans. They have supported me a lot as a player. They are always behind us. We did it for them too."
Tyrick Mitchell, who played all 90 minutes of the final, lauded everyone connected to Palace for playing a part in a significant moment in the club's history.
"It's something you dream of but you don't think is reality," he said. "We have made it a reality I am proud of everyone, past and present, that helped us get to this point."
Mitchell, who played in each of Palace's 38 Premier League matches this season plus nearly 20 more games in other cup competitions for the Eagles, echoed Mateta's sentiments on how tired he is feeling, but stated that the hard work was all worth it in the end.
"We played 60 games this season and so many of our bodies are not used to it," he said. "There was a few times where we weren't winning, but if it all meant that we got here and won it we would do it all over again.
"It's the same feeling that we had when we won the FA Cup [last season]; pure delight, pure emotion and we are just so happy we got it over the line."
Watch the Champions League final live on DAZN
Arsenal and PSG battle for Europe's biggest prize this Saturday, May 30. Watch it live on DAZN in the US (Spanish commentary), Canada, and New Zealand.
