AZ Alkmaar in European football

AZ Alkmaar, formerly named AZ '67 between their formation in 1967 and 1986, 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.

Early years and historic final (1977–1982)
After finishing third in the previous season of the Eredivisie, AZ first competed in European football competition in 1977–78. In the first round of the UEFA Cup, AZ immediately secured two historic victories against FA Red Boys Differdange of Luxembourg. At home at the Alkmaarderhout, they secured their biggest-ever win in European competitions with an impressive 11–1 triumph (also marking their largest victory in any official match). Additionally, their 5–0 victory in the away leg remains unbeaten in European contests. Their first European journey came to a halt in the second round when they faced Johan Cruyff and Johan Neeskens' Barcelona. The first leg at home ended in a 1–1 draw, and the same result was repeated at Camp Nou. Even after extra time, the score remained unchanged, forcing a penalty shootout. Barcelona excelled in their penalty kicks, converting all five, while AZ faltered when Kristen Nygaard missed the third penalty in the series, resulting in a 5–4 loss.

The following season, AZ qualified for the 1978–79 European Cup Winners' Cup after winning the 1977–78 KNVB Cup. This marked AZ's shortest European campaign until the 2012–13 season as Ipswich Town proved to be the stronger side over two legs, with final scores of 0–0 and 2–0. The 1980–81 season was historic for AZ as they secured their first-ever Eredivisie title, won the KNVB Cup, and reached the UEFA Cup final. Despite their remarkable success in the domestic league, their UEFA Cup journey ended with a narrow 5–4 aggregate loss to Ipswich Town in the final. Notably, this defeat came just three days after celebrating their inaugural league championship.

As Eredivisie champions in the 1980–81 season, AZ qualified for the prestigious European Cup. In the first round, they faced Start, the Norwegian champions, and secured a 4–1 victory. However, they faced a formidable challenge in Liverpool in the second round. Despite a valiant effort, AZ narrowly missed a quarter-final spot, drawing 2–2 and losing 3–2, making it the third time in a row that an English club halted their European campaign.

Following their KNVB Cup victory in 1982, AZ earned their second opportunity to participate in the European Cup Winners' Cup. In the first round, they narrowly defeated Limerick United, the FAI Cup winners, over two legs, with a 2–1 aggregate score. Their journey ended in the second round, where they faced Inter Milan. Although AZ managed a 1–0 victory at home, they lost the return leg 2–0, concluding their European Cup Winners' Cup adventure.

A new era (2004–2008)
AZ ended a 22-year hiatus from European competition with a notable 2004–05 UEFA Cup journey. Their campaign began with a 3–2 away win against PAOK, inciting unrest among the home crowd. Despite a 0–1 deficit in the return leg, AZ triumphed 2–1. Under head coach Co Adriaanse, AZ's attacking flair surprised opponents like Auxerre, Rangers, and Villarreal. Progressing to the semis, they were narrowly defeated by Sporting CP, who scored in injury time.

The subsequent season saw a new manager, Louis van Gaal, lead AZ to the UEFA Cup's round of 32. However, they were eliminated by Real Betis after a 3–2 aggregate defeat. Betis won 2–0 in Spain, and AZ could only manage a 2–0 win at home, resulting in a 2–1 aggregate defeat after extra time. This match marked AZ's last European game in Alkmaarderhout, where they had never lost a European match.

In the 2006–07 season, they continued impressively, defeating Sevilla away in the group stage and advancing through knockouts against Fenerbahçe and Newcastle United. Yet, Werder Bremen halted their progress in the quarter-finals following a 4–1 away loss at Weserstadion after a Miroslav Klose brace.

After narrowly missing out on the Eredivisie title in 2007, AZ's 2007–08 campaign failed to meet expectations after a turbulent domestic season. Despite a win against Paços de Ferreira, AZ struggled in the group stage, suffering their first home defeat in European competition against Everton after a record 32 unbeaten games, and failing to advance further.

2009–10 UEFA Champions League
In 2009, AZ earned a spot in the UEFA Champions League after securing the national championship—their first ever appearance in the group stage of the tournament. Their opponents included Arsenal, Olympiacos, and Standard Liège. Financially, the Champions League windfall was vital, particularly because just before their matches against Arsenal, their main sponsor, DSB Bank, went bankrupt, leaving AZ with sudden high debts. The earnings from these matches were crucial in managing this unforeseen financial burden.

While Arsenal dominated the group, AZ faced defeats against Olympiacos and Standard, culminating in six winless matches and elimination. Notably, the matches against Standard were particularly frustrating. In the home fixture, Standard scored in injury time, ending the match 1–1. In the away game, the situation worsened when Standard's goalkeeper, Sinan Bolat, equalised in the fifth minute of injury time from a free-kick, resulting in a 1–1 draw. This outcome dashed AZ's hopes of securing the third spot in the group, which would have granted them entry into the Europa League knockout phase. The disappointing Champions League campaign ultimately led to the dismissal of head coach Ronald Koeman.

Successive seasons in Europa League
AZ had a commendable journey in European football across the following seasons. In the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League, their fifth-place finish in the Eredivisie granted them entry into the third qualifying round. Although they progressed through the qualifications, AZ finished third in the group, ending their European campaign early. Notably, Dynamo Kyiv handed them a rare home defeat that season.

The following year, after securing a fourth-place finish in the Eredivisie, AZ navigated a challenging qualification to reach the Europa League group stage. They faced Metalist Kharkiv, Austria Wien, and Malmö FF, securing the second spot undefeated. AZ's journey continued with fixtures against Anderlecht, Udinese, and Valencia. However, despite a historic away win against Anderlecht, losses in the away fixtures against Udinese and Valencia halted their progress, ending their run in the quarter-finals against Valencia with a 4–0 defeat.

In the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League, AZ once again entered the play-off round after securing another fourth-place Eredivisie finish. However, their European campaign met a swift end in the group stage, notably with a heavy 5–0 defeat at home to Guus Hiddink's Anzhi Makhachkala.

Their triumph in the KNVB Cup in the previous season granted them entry into the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League. They overcame Atromitos in the play-off round after facing challenges in the return leg, as Markus Henriksen received a red card in the second minute. A fire at Atromitos' Peristeri Stadium meant that the tie was suspended, and they narrowly advanced after a 2–0 loss. In the group stage, AZ emerged unbeaten, securing qualification for the next round. Under the guidance of Dick Advocaat, they faced familiar foes PAOK, Slovan Liberec, and Anzhi Makhachkala in the knockout stage. Despite avenging their previous season's defeat against Anzhi, they exited in the quarter-finals against Benfica. Subsequently, following a loss in the European football play-off final against Groningen, AZ concluded their streak of five consecutive seasons of European football.

Honours

 * UEFA Youth League
 * Winners (1): 2022–23