Stephen Baxter may be preparing his Crusaders squad for a 13th sortie into Europe but it hasn't diminished his appetite for playing on the continent.
Playing in European competition has become a staple of Baxter's 18-year reign at Seaview, and they will kick off next season in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League following their Irish Cup final victory over Ballymena United.
But despite the regularity of their trips abroad it is not something that the Crusaders boss will ever take for granted.
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"I think the European adventure has become something our players just adore," he said.
"I've been talking to players around joining us in the future and that is something that is high on their priority list is to say 'we want to play in Europe'. It's a real key motivator.
"This is something we all think is a privilege of doing to go to countries and prepare, whereas some Premier League clubs don't get that chance and we get to do it.
"We've been able to do that now 13 times during my time here and sometimes we've had to do it twice if we've won a round, so we've done that a few times.
"It's just been an amazing experience, we get that time to bond with each other, the players are relaxed with each other and it really pulls everyone together.
"For me, Europe is the pinnacle for any footballer's football career when these guys are getting to play in it, and for me to manage them, is an absolute joy.
The Crues have had some special memories of playing in Europe down the years. none more so than their clash with Swiss outfit FC Basel last summer.
It is one which will live long in Baxter's memory, especially given how their opponents have gone on to perform in the competition this season.
"To go to FC Basel was just up there, in that stadium and our team was so good," he said.
"People maybe don't give you that much credit for what you do in Europe, we drew with them at Seaview and they are now currently in the semi-final of that competition.
"That has given us great motivation this year to say we aren't frightened of anybody, we will play anybody because we think we can do well, so that's what Europe does for you."
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