--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T17:22:41.082Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/bournemouth/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYm91cm5lbW91dGhlY2hvLmNvLnVrL3Nwb3J0LzI2MTI0ODYyLmphbWVzLWhpbGwtYWZjLWJvdXJuZW1vdXRocy1ldXJvcGVhbi1xdWFsaWZpY2F0aW9uLz9yZWY9cnNz --- # James Hill on AFC Bournemouth's European qualification | Bournemouth Echo - **Source:** - **Club:** Bournemouth - **Original URL:** https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/26124862.james-hill-afc-bournemouths-european-qualification/?ref=rss QUALIFYING for Europe with the Cherries is a dream come true for James Hill, and it was made all the more special by doing it against a title chasing Manchester City side. Hill was again immense at the heart of the Bournemouth defence, with the Englishman working with Marcos Senesi to keep Erling Haaland quiet for much of the 90 minutes. Although the Norwegian did score deep into stoppage time to bring City level, the 1-1 draw was enough to book Bournemouth’s place in Europe for next season. Iraola - "It would be nice" to get bottle of wine from friend Arteta after City draw Cherries benefited from City's emotional fatigue after cup final - Iraola Memories for "incredible" fans "more important" than European qualification - Iraola Two tens in sensational Cherries performance to secure Europe - Player ratings Reflecting on the achievement, Hill told the Daily Echo: “It's absolutely incredible. “I think it's what every boy dreams of from when they're little, is to play in these European games and to do it against a fully-fit City team and an in-form City team, it makes the joy even more better. The 1-1 draw secured European football in the 26/27 season. Smiles all round at the final whistle. (Image: Richard Crease) “It's what we work hard for every day and throughout since the start of the season to get moments like this and to finally achieve it, it's absolutely incredible.” Hill said the squad never doubted for a minute that they would be able to get the result they needed against City. “The belief's been there all season,” he said. “You've seen we've gone to big teams and we've got points from them, and I think we knew going into this game it's going to be difficult. “Everyone had to be at their 100 per cent best, and we definitely done that tonight. And I think going that goal up, it gave us a bit security that if we did concede, because City's quality is absolutely amazing. James Hill. (Image: Richard Crease) “So from the lads that came off the bench as well, the talent comes through the roof. “To get a result from City, it just shows you the quality in our squad as well, and that we are competing with the big teams this season. “We deserve to be where we are right now.” Hill said he enjoyed his battle with Haaland, who he said was one the top strikers in the world, not just the Premier League. He praised his teammates for a top team performance. “There wasn't one man of the match tonight,” Hill said. Marcos Senesi. (Image: Richard Crease) “I think the whole team was absolutely incredible. I thought the work rate from every single person, Adam Smith at right back, you had the lads coming off the bench, Enes Unal defending corners for us, getting us up the pitch, Justin Kluivert producing that energy when he come off the bench. “The boys that started setting the tempo and keeping it to the end. I think there wasn't one man of the match today. “It was an absolute team performance and it was just incredible. “And it's a real honour to play alongside the boys.”