Minus 17 to European dreams as Bournemouth fairytale continues

It was a night 127 years in the making as Bournemouth added another chapter to their fairytale with victory in their first-ever European home game. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Bournemouth started their 2008 League Two season on -17 points By Keifer MacDonald BBC Sport journalist Published 1 hour ago It was a night soundtracked by the Impossible Dream. And it was no coincidence that was the song chosen at the Vitality Stadium before Bournemouth's first European home game in the club's 127-year history.

As supporters lucky enough to bag a ticket for the historic occasion waved flags to the Andy Williams classic, a giant tifo rose from behind one of the stands, bearing the words 'Minus 17 to European dreams. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899'. As recently as 2008, a night like this would have been unthinkable for Cherries supporters.

Just 18 years ago, Bournemouth were facing the prospect of no longer existing. After entering administration, the club were relegated from League One after being handed a 10-point deduction. But that was not the end of their troubles.

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. It left them at the bottom of the Football League and seemingly destined for life as a non-league side. By the end of the season, the Cherries had not only completed one of the greatest escapes in English football history to secure a 21st-place finish and survival, but had also laid the foundations for a decade of success, which culminated in a first promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

Bournemouth's history-making season continued on Thursday as they played – and won – their first-ever home European match, beating Sturm Graz 3-0 in the Europa League. Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz; UEFA Europa League FT Full Time AET After Extra Time LIVE This is a live match.

ET Extra Time HT Half Time Bournemouth vs Sturm Graz. Bournemouth 3 #{player} " data-update-template-own-goal=" og own goal " data-update-template-sent-off=" red card "> Evanilson ( 43' 43rd minute) R Simplício Rocha ( 76' 76th minute) A Rodríguez ( 90+2' 92nd minute pen) Sturm Graz 0 #{player} " data-update-template-own-goal=" og own goal " data-update-template-sent-off=" red card "> Latest UEFA Europa League Odds Get Sky Sports Get a NOW Sports Membership Watch Live Bournemouth 3-0 Sturm Graz: Cherries win first ever home European game as they make it two from two in Europa League Match report as Bournemouth win their first-ever home European game, beating Sturm Graz; Evanilson scored at the end of the first half to hand the Cherries the lead; Rayan and an Alvaro Rodriguez penalty added after the break; Bournemouth face AC Milain in the Europa League next Thursday Charlotte Marsh Senior Football Journalist Thursday 15 October 2026 22:43, UK It makes it two wins from two for the competition debutants and perhaps more importantly, they held on to a lead they took towards the end of the first half – something they have been unable to do in a poor start to the Premier League.

Evanilson will go down as the man who scored the first European goal at the Vitality Stadium and it was a thing of beauty. Adam Smith – captaining a team he joined in England's third tier 16 years ago – found him with a cross, with the Brazilian curling a powerful header past the goalkeeper from 15 yards out.

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Latest Sky Sports deals or stream Premier League games with no contract 📺 Sturm Graz came out with intent at the start of the second half and could have equalised just after the hour. Jurgen Heil smashed the woodwork before Djorde Petrovic was needed to keep out Jacob Hodl's follow-up.

But the Cherries rode the wave and doubled their lead through another Brazilian, Rayan. It was a howler from Daniil Khudyakov, whose spilled save from a corner landed to the Bournemouth forward.

His low, fizzing shot then sped through the goalkeeper's outstretched hands. Former Huddersfield man Jon Gorenc Stankovic was penalised for a foul on James Hill – also coming in the aftermath of a Bournemouth corner.

Summer signing Alvaro Rodriguez stepped up to chip the spot kick in for his first Bournemouth goal, sealing another three points. It puts the Cherries fifth in the Europa League league phase table ahead of welcoming Ruben Amorim's AC Milan to the Vitality next Thursday.

Smith curls in a wonderful cross for the incoming Tavernier, but he's defended well as his attempt goes wide. The ball is in the back of the net for Bournemouth – but it's immediately ruled out for a handball against Bafode Diakate.

Tavernier's curling effort hits the woodwork. He is unfairly booked after, but looked to already be losing his footing as Smith made contact.

Evanilson gives Bournemouth the lead with an incredible curling header from some distance. Heil hits the post with a thunderous effort from the right, before Hodl's follow-up is stopped by Djorde Petrovic's legs.

Rayan's low, hard shot beats Khudyakov after some poor goalkeeping. Stankovic fouls Hill as he strikes inside the box and Bournemouth are awarded a penalty.

Rodriguez scores from the spot. 'That was a Bournemouth performance' Bournemouth captain Adam Smith to TNT Sports: "It's been a long time coming.

The fans were up for it, the players were up for it so we're very happy with the performance. "It wasn't my best cross [for Evanilson's goal], but I put it into the area and what a finish from him.