Sergej Jakirovic could not hide his emotion after Hull City secured a 2-0 victory over Millwall at The Den, booking a place in the Sky Bet Championship play‑off final at Wembley. Goals from Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt erased the goalless first leg and sent the Tigers to a Saturday showdown with either Southampton or Middlesbrough. Jakirovic called the achievement “maybe the best thing that happened in football in my life.”

The win caps a remarkable turnaround; Hull escaped relegation on goal difference just over a year ago and have endured a two‑window transfer embargo. Jakirovic praised the squad’s unity, saying the embargo forged stronger chemistry and that no player complains about selection. Captain Lewie Coyle echoed the sentiment, describing the campaign as a collective graft that now culminates in a Wembley appearance.

Hull now face a winner‑takes‑all final on May 23, with promotion to the Premier League at stake. Analyst Andy Hinchcliffe noted the Tigers’ ability to change games through individual moments rather than dominance, praising their second‑half surge and impact substitutes. A place at Wembley means the club’s season‑long resilience finally translates into top‑flight ambition.