AFC Bournemouth marked the most significant night in their 127-year history with a 3-0 victory over Sturm Graz, securing their first-ever home win in European competition and becoming only the second English club to win their opening two matches in a major European tournament since Bolton Wanderers achieved the feat in the UEFA Cup two decades ago.

The occasion at the Vitality Stadium was steeped in symbolism. Before kickoff, supporters sang along to Andy Williams' "The Impossible Dream" as a giant tifo unfurled across one stand, reading: "Minus 17 to European dreams. AFC Bournemouth, established 1899." The banner referenced one of the darkest chapters in the club's history, when Bournemouth entered administration in 2008 and were docked a combined 17 points across two divisions, leaving them bottom of the Football League and facing the very real threat of extinction. Under Eddie Howe at the time, the Cherries somehow avoided relegation out of the league, finishing 21st to survive — a turnaround that planted the seeds for a remarkable rise through the divisions, culminating in their first promotion to the Premier League in 2015.

Seventeen years on from that brush with oblivion, Bournemouth are now plying their trade in the Europa League, and Thursday's win over the Austrian side underlined just how far the club has travelled. Captain Adam Smith, the club's longest-serving player, played a starring role, setting up Evanilson's headed goal late in the first half to give the Cherries their first-ever European goal on home turf.

Smith, who joined on loan from Tottenham in 2011 before making the move permanent three years later, has since made more than 430 appearances for the club and helped them earn three promotions. His emotional night was capped when he was substituted for James Hill midway through the second half, with the home crowd rising to applaud him off the pitch.

"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 said after the match. "We had a chat with each other and we got a reaction today. That's an AFC [Bournemouth] performance right there."

Former Cherries defender Joel Ward, speaking as a pundit for TNT Sports, praised both the club's achievement and Smith's longevity. "It's a moment that will live long in their memories. The club should relish this night," Ward said, crediting owner Bill Foley's ambition for helping bring European football to the south coast. "The owner 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."

On Smith specifically, Ward added: "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. 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."

Despite the European exploits, domestic form remains a concern for manager Marco Rose, who took over from Andoni Iraola in the summer. Bournemouth currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, one of only three clubs — alongside Fulham and Tottenham — still searching for their first league win of the season. Attention will quickly turn to Sunday's clash against Sunderland.

"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."

The Cherries' European journey continues next week with a high-profile visit from AC Milan to the Vitality Stadium, promising another chapter in what has already become an extraordinary season for the club.

Based on reporting from BBC Sport.