Crystal Palace are your 2026 Conference League champions!

The Eagles hoist their very first European trophy in their very first European campaign thanks to a Mateta put-back, beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0.

We talk how Palace's pace and off-ball execution were able to snuff out Rayo's build-up and attack, the general chaotic nature of the match, and why Glasner deserves so much credit for his work at the club the past year.

We also eulogize Rayo's valiant run to the final and applaud both sets of supporters for an incredible atmosphere in Leipzig. This is exactly the kind of meeting the Conference League was built for!

Finally, we consider next steps for each club, with both head coaches departing this summer, as well as a few key players. What does Palace need to do to take the next step in the Europa League next season? And can Rayo maintain their recent success under new management with the current condition of the club?

Cheers to Oliver Glasner (and of course, el puto Rayo)!

We're back to talk Conference League final!

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano face off in what some are calling the most wholesome final of all time.

We talk all about their respective journeys to the final, their very brief European journeys of the past, and what it would mean to capture a first continental trophy.

We also revisit some of the more extraordinary off-the-pitch circumstances Rayo has had to overcome to be here, thanks to their diabolical owner.

Finally, we give our 3 keys to victory for each side and deliberate on which tactics may be deployed to gain advantages in what is likely to be a matchup with a razor-thin margin.

We may even take a brief detour on our beloved Intertoto Cup.

Cheers Oliver Glasner and Iñigo Pérez!

It's official – Aston Villa is your 2026 Europa League champion!

We recap how Villa triumphed over SC Freiburg for their first European trophy since 1982 (and Emery's 5th!), discussing how they dominated virtually every phase of the game, the phenomenal goals from Tielemans, Buendia, and Rogers, Emery's usual tactical mastery, Emi doing Emi things, and much more.

Then we review what went wrong for Freiburg, whose magical run ended with a bitter pill, including why they missed Suzuki, Grifo and Beste's lack of involvement, and Manzambi's lively efforts.

Finally, we debate what each side needs to accomplish over the summer to push on to another season of Europe (Villa in the Champions League, Freiburg in the Conference). Can Villa and Emery build on this triumph and strengthen the squad? Can Freiburg replace some of their aging veterans?

Major credit to both clubs for a wonderful season, but Villa were the form team throughout the competition and rolled through the knockouts. Thoroughly deserved champions.

Big cheers to Unai Emery and the Villains!