Bournemouth won their first European match at the Vitality Stadium as Sturm Graz were beaten 3-0 to maintain Marco Rose's perfect start in the Europa League.

Evanilson's goal in the 43rd minute was befitting of its place in the club's history and in supporters' hearts, a cleverly placed header from Adam Smith's cross fair reward for a dominant first half.

Goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov's poor handling allowed Rayan to make it two, then Álvaro Rodríguez hit a penalty on a night that will not soon be forgotten by the more than 12,000 in attendance, a record crowd since this stadium was made all-seater.

Bournemouth were already off the mark in the competition thanks to a 2-1 win away against Real Sociedad, but the occasion of a first-ever European home game was deeply meaningful, at least ahead of kickoff.

Supporters in the North Stand unveiled a giant tifo bearing the words "Minus 17 to European dreams," a reminder, as if one was needed, of the points deduction with which the club began the 2008/09 season after failing to come out of administration.

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On this day 18 years ago, the team were bottom of League Two and three days away from losing 4-1 away at Shrewsbury. Now, "European Tour" flags waved and Unchained Melody echoed around the ground.

Doubtless somewhere inside the stadium, the promise made by chief executive Jim Frevola to "make fans cry" came to fruition.

The first half though failed to live up to the pageantry. Rose had made five changes to his team and there was no early flow from the home side.

After 13 minutes, Smith beat his man with a rare moment of quality out near the right touchline and crossed low into the middle for Marcus Tavernier, who skewed his first-time effort wide.

Bafodé Diakité thought he had won the honour of scoring the first European goal on this ground on the half-hour mark. He knocked the ball into the roof of the net from a yard out following a corner but was rightfully denied for handball.

Belmin Baganovic tried his luck looking for a penalty from Smith's challenge but earned himself only a yellow card for diving.

The opening goal was worthy of the occasion. The Austrian side clearly believed there was little threat posed by Evanilson, positioned unmarked 15 yards from goal. They had not reckoned on the Brazilian producing an exceptional header, looping the ball on a delicious arc from Smith's cross and dropping it over Khudyakov.

Graz, largely without a threat in the first half, finally showed their sting. In the 62nd minute, Jürgen Heil rocketed a shot off the post. Djordje Petrovic, well beaten by the first effort, sprang up to block the rebound from Jacob Hodl.

It would be the only moment when the result looked in doubt. With 14 minutes to go, Khudyakov was all fingers and thumbs trying to claim a corner, dropping the ball at the feet of Rayan who swivelled and scored.

Rodríguez's stoppage-time penalty, awarded for handball against Jon Gorenc Stankovic, capped a memorable night.