Crystal Palace secured their place in the league phase of the Conference League following a goalless draw against Fredrikstad.
Palace went to Norway with a slender 1-0 first-leg lead after Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the club’s first-ever goal on the European stage in last week’s clash at Selhurst Park.
The south Londoners were strong favourites to complete the job on Thursday, but had to grind out a draw on an artificial pitch which appeared to hinder their rhythm.
Nevertheless, the result extends Palace’s unbeaten run in all competitions to 13 – equalling the longest in the club’s history as a top-flight side – and secures last season’s FA Cup winners their debut appearance in a group stage of a major European competition.
Oliver Glasner’s side would have been keen to extend their one-goal advantage early on and put the tie to bed. But the Premier League outfit offered little going forward in a match of few opportunities.
Last season’s FA Cup winners were denied a spot in the Europa League by UEFA last month after the governing body determined that American businessman John Textor had control, or influence, at both Palace and French club Lyon.
“It is a huge achievement to go into the group stage,” Glasner told Channel 5. “It was our second goal of the season and we have achieved that by the end of August which is great.
“The first one was winning the Community Shield – which we did – and now, with all of the noise of being demoted to the Conference League, we have done that too.
“We defended excellently and did not give them a chance but on the other side, we know we can and have to play better in possession, but overall it’s important be in the group stage.”