Bournemouth beat Sturm Graz 3-0 as 'Minus 17' tifo marks first European home game
On Thursday, Bournemouth defeated Sturm Graz 3-0 at the Vitality Stadium in their first European home game in the club's 127-year history in the Europa League. Supporters sang the song Impossible Dream before kick-off and raised a giant tifo reading 'Minus 17 to European dreams. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899'.
As recently as 2008 Bournemouth began their League Two season on -17 points after entering administration and being relegated from League One following a 10-point deduction. To be allowed to compete in the 2008-09 season, Bournemouth, then managed by Eddie Howe, had to accept a further 17-point deduction in League Two, leaving them at the bottom of the Football League and facing non-league threat. By the end of that campaign the Cherries secured a 21st-place finish and survival, a run the article says laid the foundations for a decade that culminated in a first promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
Thursday's 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz also carried a continental milestone: it made Bournemouth only the second English side to win their first two matches in a major European competition since Bolton achieved the feat in the Uefa Cup 21 years ago. Former defender Joel Ward spoke to TNT Sports about the night, saying: "It's a moment that will live long in their memories," and "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. He got his wish, and they have certainly started incredibly well so far."
Adam Smith, the club's longest-serving player after initially joining on loan from Tottenham in 2011, provided the assist for Bournemouth's first European goal on home soil when Evanilson headed his cross home late in the first half. Smith said to TNT Sports: "It's been a long time coming. The fans were up for it, the players were up for it, so we are very happy," and added: "We had a chat with each other and we got a reaction today. That's an AFC [Bournemouth] performance right there."
Since making his move from Tottenham permanent in 2014, Smith has made more than 430 appearances for the Cherries and, at 35, the article records he has helped Bournemouth secure three promotions, two of which have taken them to the Premier League. He was replaced by James Hill midway through the second half, prompting home supporters to rise and chant his name as he left the field.
Ward offered further praise of Smith's career and the emotion of the night, saying: "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," and "He's extremely professional, and he fully deserves the success he's getting now. Nights like this are what you live for. To walk out captaining that side is emotional and makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck."
Supporters lingered long after the final whistle as they absorbed the landmark evening at the Vitality Stadium. For manager Marco Rose, who succeeded Andoni Iraola in June, attention will quickly return to domestic matters; Bournemouth currently sit 18th in the table and are one of only three teams, alongside Fulham and Tottenham, yet to win a match this season. Rose said: "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. That's what we should take into the next game."
Bournemouth's immediate schedule includes a Premier League fixture on Sunday against Sunderland, and they will return to European competition at the Vitality Stadium next week when AC Milan visit.
