Bournemouth Begin Their First Ever Europa League Campaign | Lewis Cook

Bournemouth prepare to begin their first-ever UEFA Europa League campaign against Real Sociedad, marking another major step in the club’s rise from the lower leagues to European football.

Ahead of the historic opener, Lewis Cook reflected on Bournemouth’s journey over the past decade and the people who helped build the club into a side capable of competing in Europe. He said the excitement around the occasion now has to turn into performance, with Bournemouth focused on competing against an experienced Real Sociedad side.

Cook expects a difficult test against technically strong opposition and believes Bournemouth will need to manage the different challenges European football presents compared with the Premier League. He also highlighted the value of having players and staff with previous European experience within the squad.

While the occasion will be memorable for the players and supporters, Bournemouth are approaching their Europa League debut with the aim of making an impact rather than simply enjoying the experience.