AZ Alkmaar

AZ Alkmaar, known in the Netherlands simply as AZ, were founded on 10 May 1967 as AZ '67 through the merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek. The name stands for Alkmaar Zaanstreek, joining the city of Alkmaar with the Zaan district. The red-and-white side play at the AFAS Stadion, opened in 2006 to replace the Alkmaarderhout, and are nicknamed De Kaasboeren, the Cheese Farmers.

AZ have won the Eredivisie twice, in 1980-81 and 2008-09, along with five KNVB Cups and two Johan Cruyff Shields. The 1981 side, coached by Georg Kessler, won 27 of their 34 league matches, scored 101 goals and reached the UEFA Cup final, losing 5-4 on aggregate to Ipswich Town. Predecessor Alkmaar '54 also has a place in Dutch football history: it played the country's first professional match, on 14 August 1954.