AZ
AZ (AZ)
Overview
AZ Alkmaar, commonly called AZ, is a Dutch football club based in Alkmaar. Founded in 1967 from the merger of two local clubs, AZ plays at the AFAS Stadion, a modern 17,000-capacity venue inaugurated in 2006.
AZ quickly became one of Dutch football's major clubs, winning two Eredivisie titles (1981 and 2009) and three KNVB Cups. The club is recognized for its exceptional youth academy that has produced numerous international talents.
The club's red and white colors have become emblematic in the Dutch football landscape. AZ embodies a development model based on youth training, combining offensive philosophy and rigorous management to compete with the country's major clubs.
The club has regularly participated in European competitions, notably in the Champions League and Europa League, where it faced the continent's greatest teams. AZ notably reached the 1981 UEFA Cup quarter-finals.
AZ Alkmaar continues playing a major role in Dutch football, regularly training players who join Europe's biggest clubs. The club maintains its ambition for national titles and European performances while remaining faithful to its attractive playing philosophy and training policy.