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BEN Gannon-Doak was "quite pleased" to be added to the Cherries squad for the Europa League as an injury replacement for Junior Kroupi after he was initially left out of the squad, which Marco Rose said was a "tough, tough" decision.

The Cherries get their historic Europa League campaign underway tonight and the Daily Echo will be in Spain to bring you all the updates and more.

Marco Rose knows how challenging this season will be for the Cherries so he will be looking to make as strong a start as possible to their Europa League campaign tonight against Real Sociedad.

LEWIS Cook reflected on the “amazing” journey of the Cherries to reach the Europa League as the club are set to face Real Sociedad tonight to begin their European campaign.

Tonight, some 17 years on from their miraculous escape from relegation out of the Football League, AFC Bournemouth make their European debut.

PIRATES opened up a commanding 24-point lead after the first leg of the Championship playoff semifinal with a 57-33 victory over Edinburgh Monarchs at Wimborne Road.

THE Cherries have been drawn at home against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

MARCO Rose encouraged Cherries fans in San Sebastian to “have some beers” ahead of their historic Europa League debut tomorrow night – but he said they shouldn’t have too many and should get up to see the sunrise!

'IT IS a special moment' for the Cherries to be heading into their first Europa League game against Real Sociedad, and they can be 'really proud' of their journey to continental competition from the bottom of the Football League, Marco Rose said.

Real Sociedad boss Pellegrino Matarazzo said it was an honour to host the Cherries’ first ever Europa League game as he praised their qualification – but the American was clear that the La Liga side are out to win on Thursday night.

Updates from press conferences from Real Sociedad's Pellegrino Matarazzo and AFC Bournemouth's Marco Rose ahead of the Europa League game tomorrow night.

Zac Mudford from Dorset won the Men’s County Champion of Champions title after a dramatic three-way play-off at Woodhall Spa’s Hotchkin Course

Swanage Cricket Club’s 1st XI signed off their Premier 2 Division campaign with a spirited performance at Days Park, pushing champions-elect Wimborne to the brink in a fiercely contested final fixture.

Ben Hands was the four goal star when Westover Bournemouth opened their DORSET SUNDAY SENIOR LEAGUE campaign with an 8-0 triumph over Bashley Sunday.

The Cherries are set to make history tomorrow night as they make their Europa League debut in Spain against Real Sociedad.

The Cherries head into Europe for the very first time and they'll be looking to pick up a positive result in arguably the toughest game of the league phase on paper.