West Ham United embark on their UEFA Europa League adventure this Thursday after nearly a decade away from the competition, they face Andorran side FC Lusitans.

The Hammers reached the qualifying rounds due to their impressive fair play record in the Premier League last season. They will hope to reach the group stages of a competition which could be the perfect launch-pad for Slaven Bilic’s new look West Ham.

Upton Park will be sold out come Thursday evening, thanks to reduced tickets prices on offer; an adult ticket cost £10 and an under-16 ticket cost a fantastic £5.

The East London club is certainly on the up, next season they will play their football at the Olympic Park, and early seasons signings of Pedro Obiang and Dimitri Payet suggest they could be in line for a potentially promising season under the Croatian coach.

New signing Payet will not be involved but should his side make it to the next rounds of qualifiers, then he will be available. They signed the French playmaker from Marseille for a fee of £12m. He is a player who has experienced elite European football, and his know-how could be pivotal in the competition if West Ham reach the group stages.

The squad will consist of mix of under-21 players and a handful of first teamers; Matt Jarvis, Morgan Amalfitano, James Tomkins, Diafra Sakho and Obiang could all feature.

The former Besiktas manager Bilic will not be in the dugout for the game, instead academy manager Terry Westley will oversee the cash.

Speaking ahead of the game he said: “I see my role as helping Slaven integrate with the group and the team, making that transition as smooth as possible and he will come back for the game on Thursday. He’s the manager.”

Westley further added: "He will be with the team and in the dressing room and a big part of what we’re trying to do on Thursday. We’re doing all we can to support him and our job is to get over the first qualifying round."

Their opponents, Lusitans, finished second in the Andorra Primera Divisao and are looking to claim their first ever win in Europe.

Saying that, the Andorran side are no strangers to European qualifying rounds. In their most recent showing in 2013/14 UEFA Champions League qualifying first round they lost 7-3 on aggregate to Faroese side EB/Streymur.

Currently, Lusitans record in Europe is not great - seven defeats and one draw does not make for pleasing reading.

Everything seems to be falling into place for the Hammers; the side is going in a new direction. There are plans to take them onto the next level under the tutelage of Bilic and owners David Gold, David Sullivan and Karen Brady, who have poured a lot of money into the club over the years.

Reaching the group stages will be a real coup for the Londoners that certainly have the talent, producing it on a consistent basis is now the next target. 

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