AZ Alkmaar 2007/08 Sweatshirt XL

Condition: ★★★★★

An extremely rare sweatshirt in mint condition and a size XL. Manufactured by Quick 

Quick is a Dutch sportswear brand with a long history, primarily known in the Netherlands. The company was originally established in the early 1900s and initially gained popularity for its sports shoes, particularly in football and tennis. Quick became well-known for crafting classic football boots and was widely worn by amateur and professional teams in the Netherlands during the mid-20th century.

During the 2000s, Quick attempted a resurgence by expanding into team kits and partnering with Dutch football clubs, including AZ Alkmaar for the 2007–08 season. They aimed to provide high-quality, functional sportswear while retaining a sense of Dutch heritage and craftsmanship.

AZ Alkmaar's 2007–08 season was a challenging one for the club. After the success of previous years, including coming close to winning the Eredivisie title in 2006–07, they experienced a downturn in form during the 2007–08 season under manager Louis van Gaal. Here’s a breakdown of their performance in various competitions that season:

Eredivisie

• Final Position: 11th
• AZ had a disappointing league season, finishing 11th, far from their previous campaigns where they contended for the title.
• They struggled with consistency and couldn't match the top teams in the league.

KNVB Cup (Dutch Cup)

• Elimination: Second Round

UEFA Cup (Europa League)

• Elimination: Group Stage
• AZ competed in the UEFA Cup but failed to advance beyond the group stage, unable to secure enough points to move to the knockout rounds.
  

Key Points of the Season

• Management: Louis van Gaal faced heavy scrutiny due to the team's underperformance. However, the club ultimately decided to retain him, which proved wise as he led the team to an Eredivisie title in 2008–09.
• Squad Issues: AZ faced challenges with squad depth and injuries, which affected their performance across competitions.

Key players in 2007–08:

1. Mousa Dembélé – Talented forward with strong dribbling and technical skill.
2. Mounir El Hamdaoui – Promising striker, showed flashes of goal-scoring ability.
3. Stijn Schaars – Midfield leader, known for vision and passing, though injury-prone.
4. David Mendes da Silva – Versatile in defense and midfield, added physicality and tactical awareness.

Here are some interesting quick facts about AZ Alkmaar:

• Founded: 1967, from a merger of Alkmaar '54 and FC Zaanstreek.
• Nickname: "Kaaskoppen" (Cheeseheads), due to Alkmaar’s cheese market heritage.
• Best Domestic Season: Won the Eredivisie in 1980–81 and 2008–09.
• European Success: Reached the UEFA Cup final in 1981, losing to Ipswich Town.
• Youth Development: Known for a strong youth academy, producing talents like Mousa Dembélé and Teun Koopmeiners.
• Ownership: Acquired by businessman Dirk Scheringa in 1993, leading to significant growth.
• Stadium: AFAS Stadion, opened in 2006, with a capacity of about 17,000.
• Famous Managers: Louis van Gaal led AZ to the Eredivisie title in 2008–09.
• Fan Culture: Strong, loyal local support; Alkmaar is a smaller city with a proud football tradition.