Dan Bent has already experienced the highs and lows of European football this summer, playing in two European competitions and scoring a crucial goal in Larne's win against Tre Fiori in the Champions League. Larne's reward for beating Tre Fiori was a meeting with former European champions Red Star Belgrade, who they were beaten 9-0 on aggregate by.
Bent will now face Lincoln Red Imps, a team he has played for in the past, in the Conference League qualifiers. Larne beat Lincoln Red Imps at this stage two years ago and booked their place in the Conference League group stage, securing €2.6m in prize money. This is a huge opportunity for both clubs, with Larne looking to repeat their success and Lincoln Red Imps seeking to cause an upset.
The tie is a significant one for Larne, who are looking to drop through Uefa's three tiers and gain valuable experience in European competitions. Bent believes that this experience can be a gamechanger for players' careers, allowing them to gain valuable exposure and potentially earn transfers to bigger clubs.