Global InformationAZ Alkmaar in European football information
| Club | AZ Alkmaar |
|---|---|
| Seasons played | 22 |
| Most appearances | Yukinari Sugawara (49) |
| Top scorer | Kees Kist (18) |
| First entry | 1977–78 UEFA Cup |
| Latest entry | 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League |
AZ Alkmaar, formerly named AZ '67 between their formation in 1967 and 1986,[1] played their very first official match in competitive European football on 14 September 1977. This was a UEFA Cup first round game against FA Red Boys Differdange of Luxembourg. The match ended in an 11–1 blowout home victory for AZ.
Today, AZ can participate in three UEFA tournaments: the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. Qualification is achieved through Eredivisie performance, playoffs, KNVB Cup victory, or success in European tournaments. Historically, AZ have qualified 22 times. With extensive European experience, AZ ranks fourth among Dutch clubs, following Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord. They faced internationally renowned clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Benfica, and Manchester United. In 1981, AZ reached the final of the 1980–81 UEFA Cup, which saw them lose 5–4 on aggregate over two legs to Ipswich Town.
AZ held a record of 32 undefeated home matches in European competitions until it was broken by Everton in the 2007–08 UEFA Cup group stage.
- ^ "Is dit het jaar dat AZ kampioen wordt in de Eredivisie?". Alkmaars Dagblad (in Dutch). 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.