Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterBournemouth icon Steve Fletcher admits it could be an emotional evening for him on Thursday when he sees the club he has served almost non-stop since 1992 step onto the European stage for the first time.The Cherries will visit Real Sociedad in the Europa League after securing a top-six finish last team to earn qualification.Bournemouth's campaign looked to be stalling going into the new year, however, with Andoni Iraola's side having gone without a league win in their previous 11 games, stretching back to October.Pick the ultimate 4-4-2 line-up from players in FourFourTwo's definitive Top 100 ListThere will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe"But Semenyo's 95th-minute winner in a 3-2 victory over Tottenham just two days before he completed his transfer move to Manchester City turned the tide, with Bournemouth going unbeaten all the way through to the end of the season to secure 6th place.Speaking to FourFourTwo, Fletcher said: It was an incredible night. You couldnt write it for him to score that goal as well. It was such a relief to win, because we hadnt won a game for a while. But even before that, despite not winning, our performances had been improving. You may like Bournemouth's history makers on their European bow Bournemouth legend recalls Cherries sacrifice and close brush with liquidation Bournemouth have waved goodbye to Andoni Iraola, but will they continue to build upon the fine work he laid down? - Bournemouth 2026-27 season preview The boys were incredible when that moment came and Antoine left."We were so happy because he deserved his big move the lads understood that we needed to step up and you could already see it happening in the performances.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.We went into every game thinking we could get three points because the team was full of confidence.We did very well at keeping the noise out of the camp and concentrating on our performances. In the last three games, we knew what we needed to do. We actually performed better under pressure.To finish in a Europa League place and celebrate on the pitch with the staff, players, everyone associated with the club and all the fans was incredible. What to read next "Marco Rose asked to meet me I thought 'Why?' Hed done his homework, he knew the history of the club, and hes got an aura" Bournemouth legend on why hes been impressed by the clubs replacement for new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola Beating Fulham was one of the best nights of my career. I took my shirt off and threw myself onto the turf as if it were a swimming pool Diego Forlan on his 2010 Europa League success "It was a season where most of what we touched turned to gold" Matt Grimes and Gordan Strachan on how Coventry City ended their 25-year Premier League exile I dont think it properly sank in until a couple of days later when I started going out on the streets and into supermarkets and restaurants, and people came to talk to me about it. The magnitude of what the club and that team achieved will live forever.There will be a lot of emotion when we play that first game in Europe.Personally, Ill probably shed a tear and try to capture the moment as much as I can.Fletcher was speaking in association with MrQ, the new official sleeve partner of AFC Bournemouth.TOPICSSteve FletcherAFC BournemouthUEFA Europa LeagueSteven ChickenSocial Links NavigationSteven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication,WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.With contributions fromChris FlanaganSenior Staff WriterChris EvansFreelance Writer
