Brighton & Hove Albion fans 'glad to be there' despite Europa loss

The Hamilton family from Brighton said they were disappointed, but glad to be at the match

Torrential rain and a frustrating result could not dampen the pride of Brighton & Hove Albion fans at the club's first ever European match.

Amid biblical downpours, thousands of Seagulls supporters were brought back down to earth with a 3-2 defeat to AEK Athens in the Europa League.

Despite the dismal conditions, fans were buoyant after the club's debut.

The Hamilton family from Brighton said: "It was a frustrating and disappointing evening but it was great to be here."

Just before the teams emerged at the drenched Amex Stadium, the announcer called on the Brighton fans to "drink it in", a reference to the febrile atmosphere rather than the raindrops.

Torrential rain dampened the atmosphere, but fans said they were glad they were there

The Seagulls' European debut came 25 years after the club were nearly relegated from the Football League, in the final match ever to be played at their beloved Goldstone Ground.

However, early enthusiasm was tempered by an injury to skipper Lewis Dunk, who had reported a muscular problem.

Chihiro Imazu says she will not be at another Seagulls game until next year

Chihiro Imazu, a University of Sussex student who is flying back to Japan on Friday, said the match was her last Albion game until next year.

"I feel a bit sad of course but Brighton gave me a lot this year so it's been a good journey. I have been at this stadium nearly every week.

"I'd rather have seen a win of course, but I loved this game. I loved that the players never gave up."

She said she first started watching football after the Women's World Cup matches were played in the city.

"Brighton fans are all so nice. I'm excited to come back soon."

Trains were packed with damp and disappointed Brighton & Hove Albion fans

At the scene

By Christian Fuller, BBC South East, at Amex Stadium

The queue to leave the Amex was awkwardly quiet.

A narrow defeat left Albion fans underwhelmed after their first ever European match.

A 3-2 loss combined with abysmal weather created a downbeat atmosphere to say the least.

The AEK Athens fans, a large portion of whom finished the match topless, were left partying into the night.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi told BBC Radio Sussex's Johnny Cantor afterwards: "I think we played a very good game, we played with personality, with courage, we dominated the game. We controlled the game in terms of shots, possession.

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"It's too easy to be proud when you win at Old Trafford. We have to explain the game, we have to analyse the game. Every day we can learn, the most important is to understand the mistakes but to keep the confidence.

"[It was] the first game in the Europa League for many players and we played very well. We cannot be happy because we lost the game, but we have to be honest."

Paul Mercer had travelled from Australia

Paul Mercer, who had travelled from Australia for the match, said he was "happy to be here, but disappointed".

"We didn't get the result we wanted, but we go again."

Ferenc Stefanics, from Hove, who was celebrating his birthday, said: "Brighton need to be more careful about the European teams. It still feels like a birthday present to be here."

Ferenc Stefanics was celebrating his birthday

Nigel Summers, chairman of the Brighton & Hove Albion Supporters Club told BBC Radio Sussex: "The atmosphere was terrific, all the razzmatazz, because it's Europa, really got to me.

"Whether it got the players, I don't know. I'm disappointed, but what an event."

Seagulls fan Monica Fletcher said everything was different because it was a European game.

"I've never been to a club playing in Europe. Even the ads and the music, the aggression, the edginess.

"The European supporters behaved completely different to us - they were half naked.

"The noise that came from the 1,500 Athens fans was just unbelievable. I'm going to Athens and I don't know if we're going to get 'Sussex by the Sea' heard by anybody."

Buildings lit up

Brighton and Hove City Council's economic development leader Ty Goddard said the club's participation in the Europa League presented "a massive opportunity for both the club and city".

He said competing in the Europa League could add a further £80m, creating additional jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector.

On European match days, iconic buildings across the city will light up in blue and white.

Council leader Bella Sankey has called on businesses and residents to "get creative" and dress the city in Albion colours.

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