Alkmaar Zaanstreek (Dutch: ['al(@)kma:r 'za:nstree:kAlkmaar Zaanstreek) is also known in the form of AZ Alkmaar as well as simply AZ (pronounced is the name of a Dutch professional football team from Alkmaar as well as the Zaanstreek. The club is part of the Eredivisie which is the most prestigious professional league of football in the Netherlands and also hosts games at home in the AFAS Stadion.
AZ has been crowned the Eredivisie twice, once in 1980-81 and 2008-09. The same year, when they took their first League title they also made it to the UEFA Cup Final, which they lost to Ipswich Town. Additionally, the team has been crowned the KNVB Cup on four occasions and also the Johan Cruyff Shield.
