AZ making most of renaissance period

AZ Alkmaar are one of eight clubs making their debuts in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season and as part of a series of features on the new boys, uefa.com runs the rule over the Dutch champions.

Who are they?
Formed: 1967
Nickname: AZ
League titles: 2
Dutch Cups: 3

AZ were born of the fusion between Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek. They were first known as Alkmaar Zaanstreek Combinatie, AZ '67 for short, before adopting the name AZ in July 1986. Prior to last season it was under their former guise that they enjoyed their greatest success, winning the Dutch Cup for the first time in 1978, before going one better in 1981 by claiming the title in a double-winning campaign. AZ also made their mark on the European stage that season by reaching the UEFA Cup final which they lost to Ipswich Town FC, a 4-2 second-leg victory not enough to undo the damage caused by a 3-0 loss in Suffolk. Having hit such highs, AZ fell to new lows in 1988 when they were relegated. Fresh investment under current chairman Dirk Scheringa brought its reward in 1998 with a top-flight return and in 2004/05 Co Adriaanse masterminded a return to European competition after a 22-year absence. Only a last-minute goal in extra-time of the semi-final second leg at home to Sporting Clube de Portugal prevented AZ from reaching the UEFA Cup final for a second time. Louis van Gaal was appointed coach in 2005 and led AZ to their second Eredivisie title last season before making way for Ronald Koeman.

One to watch
Mounir El Hamdaoui
The 25-year-old Rotterdam-born Moroccan international had injury problems during previous spells with Tottenham Hotspur FC and Willem II but finally blossomed during AZ's title-winning season. A technically gifted player adept with either foot, El Hamdaoui was top scorer last term and was subsequently named Dutch Player of the Season.

Memorable match
AZ Alkmaar 3-2 Sporting Clube de Portugal, UEFA Cup semi-final, 5 May 2005
A tie that ended 4-4 on aggregate and denied AZ a final berth does little justice to the manner in which Adriaanse's side were knocked out. They overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit and were level at 3-3 on aggregate heading into extra time. Kew Jaliens's goal looked to have taken AZ to their second European final, but Miguel Garcia dashed their dreams in added time at the end of extra time. "This is something you take with you to the grave," said Adriaanse.

Greatest player
Kristen Nygaard 
The Danish midfielder was discovered playing for his country's Under-21s and brought to AZ in 1972, where he stayed for a decade as an integral member of all the success that followed. All elegance, his wand of a left foot provided countless assists for the likes of Pier Tol and Kees Kist as well as contributing 104 goals of in 363 games for AZ. Nygaard was named the club's Player of the Century.

Did you know?
Following their first ever European home game in September 1977 – an 11-1 win over Red Boys Differdange at the Alkmaarderhout – AZ went on a 32-match unbeaten sequence on their own turf in European competition. That remarkable run was finally ended 30 years later by Everton FC, who won 3-2 at there new home on 20 December in the UEFA Cup group stage.