For Nick Tsaroulla, the League Two play-off semi-final against Chesterfield is more than just a football match. It's a moment to treasure, a reminder of how fragile life can be.
The Notts County winger, who survived a devastating car crash in 2017 that nearly ended his life and career, is determined to soak up every second of the high-stakes clash in front of a sold-out Meadow Lane.
"It's a short career, a short life," Tsaroulla told BBC Sport. "Life can be taken away in any second, football can be taken away in any second, which it was for me - and then you realise how much you miss it and you just want to enjoy every second of it."
The 27-year-old's journey back to football after the accident has been nothing short of remarkable. Released by Tottenham Hotspur following the crash, he rebuilt his career at Brentford's B team before shining at Crawley Town, where he scored a stunning goal in a famous FA Cup win over Leeds United and helped the club secure promotion via the play-offs in 2024.
Now at Notts County, Tsaroulla is on the cusp of another play-off triumph. The Magpies are aiming to return to League One after an 11-year absence, and the winger sees the derby against Chesterfield as a chance to create lasting memories.
"Notts is such a big club and it's such a lovely moment to play - you have to cherish it," he said. "One day, in 30 or 40 years' time, hopefully, I can look back with my kids and grandkids and tell them stories about the experience."
The play-off tie is far from over, with both legs promising drama. For Tsaroulla, however, the true victory lies in simply being able to play the game he loves after facing death.