Brighton just need to compose themselves after that goal.

While the Seagulls have had a superb couple of seasons in the Premier League they are lacking experience in Europe while AEK Athens are a regular feature in European competition.

Counter-attack for Backa Topola but it's great defending from Angelo Ogbonna who forces striker Sasa Jovanovic down a cul-de-sac.

The Serb does manage to craft a shot but it's straight at Lukasz Fabianski.

West Ham are very happy to keep the ball as their Serbian opponents sit off. Backa Topola have hardly had a kick so far.

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

To be honest back then in 2010/2011 I couldn't have even imagined playing in this stadium, let alone seeing European football here.

For them to be playing in Europe and for them to actually be fancying their chances up against some heavyweights in AEK Athens, Marseille and Ajax, it is beyond what I could have dreamed of!

Image source, Reuters

Little give and go by James Milner as he plays it out wide to Solly March.

What a lovely ball it is from March with the outside of his left boot to find Milner again, who continues his run but is beaten to it by a AEK Athens defender.

So close to a Hammers opener as James Ward-Prowse's free-kick deflects off the wall and on to the top of the net.

From the corner the ball drops to Pablo Fornals whose driven shot is blocked.

Image source, Getty Images

A couple of exciting things about this Brighton side, aside from the very exciting fact they are playing in Europe for the first time.

Youngster Ansu Fati is making his first start for the club, what a talent he has looked.

At the other end of the spectrum, James Milner becomes the first player to represent five different English teams in Europe.

Mohammed Kudus wins West Ham a central free-kick twenty yards from goal.

James Ward-Prowse will take this...

Pockets of empty seats across the London Stadium.

Last year West Ham won 14 games in European competition (including qualifiers), the most ever wins by an English team in a single season. Only Atletico Madrid in 2011-12 have ever won more in a single campaign (17).

Image source, EPA

We're under way in East London and on the south coast for our second lot of European matches of the evening.

Image source, Reuters

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Amex Stadium

There is a tingle in the atmosphere at the Amex.

The stadium announcer said 'drink it in'.

Brighton and Hove Albion were on the brink of extinction. Now they are in Europe.

What a phenomenal story.

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

The bookmakers have made Brighton the second favourites to go on and win the whole tournament.

Yes there are some huge names in there, but I hope they get out of the group, I expect them to do so.

I don't think there is anything for them to be scared of if you look at their last couple of results in the Premier League. They've beaten Manchester United, they've beaten Newcastle United, so there is nothing to be afraid of.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton fan Phillipa Hudson says it will be a "dream come true" to watch her club compete in European competition for the first time in their 122-year history.

Albion open their Europa League campaign at home to AEK Athens on Thursday night, 26 years on from being on the brink of relegation out of the Football League and financial ruin.

"I really cannot process the fact we're playing in Europe tonight when you think of where we came from, she told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Really really amazing. It's just a dream come true quite honestly.

"(Roberto De Zerbi is) a genius, absolute genius. Graham Potter did a fantastic job, he got us playing a really good, procession based style of football and kept us in the Premier League whilst doing it and then became a top ten club in three years.

"De Zerbi came in with no-pre season, none of his own players, and took us to the next level in six months. He's a genius.

"There was a transition period but now he's taken us from what was a good playing style, nice to watch, to an incredible style with end product - or as we like to call it 'Potterball on steroids'."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

It is fair to assume a number of old-time Brighton fans will be doing a double take when they enter Amex Stadium on Thursday.

Twenty years ago, if someone had said the club would now be on the verge of their first European game, they would have been dismissed as foolish.

To those fans who lived through the Goldstone Ground closing, two years at Gillingham and the Withdean era, a meeting with AEK Athens is an event night.

It is also fair to think Roberto De Zerbi is not getting wrapped up in the emotion.

A group that also contains Ajax and Marseille is tough.

However, given the overall strength of the Premier League - and how well Brighton are doing in it - they have the capability to go deep in the competition. Very deep.

The visit of AEK is a reminder - but it is also a huge opportunity. De Zerbi will be keen to take it.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Get listening! From 20:00 Steve Crossman is joined by Guillem Balague, Rafa Honigstein, James Horncastle on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the latest news from the world of European football.

The team will also have updates from West Ham v Backa Topola, Brighton v AEK Athens and Rangers v Real Betis.

Glenn Murray
Former Brighton striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton's rise since the club moved into the AMEX stadium has been simply phenomenal. The place has rediscovered itself as a proper football town.

I think they should approach the Europa League exactly the same as they do every Premier League weekend.

Obviously they have been drawn into a really tough group, tonight they're up against AEK Athens, then Marseille and Ajax to come too, but they have just got to go and enjoy it.

It will be a carnival atmosphere at the ground tonight. I think this occasion is a moment to just pause and appreciate how far they have come. Definitely not a moment to dwell though, they need to keep pushing forward.

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton are one of six teams making their Europa League debut this season, and they will be competing in Group B alongside Dutch giants Ajax, French side Marseille and AEK Athens from Greece.

The side continue to go from strength to strength under manager Roberto De Zerbi, recording four wins from their opening five league games.

As they make their first foray into European competition, the side will be confident of causing a few upsets at this level, just as they did in the Premier League last season.

"[Our opponents] are all good teams, but we are a good team too," said De Zerbi.

"It's the first time for Brighton in Europe. You can imagine the passion there will be to get points and qualify. We want to win the group. It is not important which club we have to play."