BOURNEMOUTH — Bournemouth marked the club's first European home fixture in their 127-year history with a statement 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz at the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, becoming only the second English side to win their opening two matches in a major European competition since Bolton achieved the feat in the Uefa Cup 21 years ago. The night was soundtracked by Andy Williams' The Impossible Dream as supporters waved flags and unveiled a giant tifo behind the stand reading 'Minus 17 to European dreams. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899'.
The display referenced a journey that seemed unthinkable as recently as 2008, when Bournemouth were facing extinction after entering administration. Relegated from League One following a 10-point deduction, they were then required to accept a further 17-point deduction to compete in League Two in 2008-09 under Eddie Howe, leaving them bottom of the Football League and seemingly destined for non-league football. Yet the Cherries completed one of the great escapes to finish 21st and survive, laying foundations for a decade of progress that culminated in a first promotion to the Premier League in 2015. "It's a moment that will live long in their memories," former defender Joel Ward told TNT Sports. "The club should relish this night. The owner [Bill Foley] manifested this moment when he first came into the club. He set the standards for this club, he has invested a lot into it and he wanted to see this club in Europe."
Captain Adam Smith, the club's longest-serving player after initially joining on loan from Tottenham in 2011 and making the move permanent in 2014, embodied that rise. The 35-year-old, who has made more than 430 appearances and helped Bournemouth secure three promotions, provided the assist for the club's first European goal on home soil when Evanilson headed home his cross late in the first half. "It's been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it, so we are very happy," Smith told TNT Sports. "We had a chat with each other and we got a reaction today. That's an AFC [Bournemouth] performance right there." When he was replaced by James Hill midway through the second half, the home support rose to chant his name. "He's an example to everyone of what hard work looks like and the rewards that you get, even towards the latter stages of your career," Ward added.
Bournemouth put on a show long after the final whistle as supporters remained in their seats to savour the landmark night on the south coast. For head coach Marco Rose, who succeeded Andoni Iraola in June, attention quickly turns to domestic matters. Despite soaring in the Europa League, Bournemouth are 18th in the Premier League table and are one of only three sides alongside Fulham and Tottenham yet to win a match this season. "If we stick together and play like this and we have our fans, then we are hard to play against and it's hard to beat us," Rose said. "That's what we should take into the next game."
That next game comes on Sunday against Sunderland in the Premier League, before Bournemouth's remarkable story enters its most glamorous chapter yet when AC Milan visit the Vitality Stadium next week. Ward said Foley had "got his wish, and they have certainly started incredibly well so far" in Europe.