AZ in London for first clash with West Ham – Europa League also ready for semifinals
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Tonight AZ and West Ham United kick off in London for the first match in the Conference League semifinals.
- Conference League semifinals:
- 9 p.m.: West Ham United-AZ
- 9 p.m.: Fiorentina-FC Basel
- Europa League semifinals:
- 9 p.m.: AS Roma – Bayer Leverkusen
- 9 p.m.: Juventus – Sevilla
West Ham United – AZ can also be followed live on NPO Radio 1.
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WHU-AZ | Preview with a look back
When AZ was seconds from final: ‘That one word does stick’
At AZ’s European semifinal against West Ham United, thoughts in Alkmaar also quickly wander back to last time they reached the last four.
“The moment still sometimes passes by in documentaries. Then I always think: but when exactly does it happen? After all, the match seemed to be over already. Then it’s just as painful to see again,” said Kenneth Perez.
The Dane was one of the goal scorers in the return match of the UEFA Cup semifinal against Sporting Portugal in 2005, in which AZ had forced an extension, making it 3-1. Enough for the final, which AZ eventually miraculously missed out on.
WHU-AZ | AZ supporters confident: ‘We are going to get the win here in London’
Nearly 3,000 AZ fans will be in the stadium tonight for the match against West Ham United. A few are fans have traveled before and are very confident of a good result.
AZ supporters confident: ‘We are going to get the win here in London’
WHU-AZ | West Ham: Road to the semi-final
As last season’s number seven in the Premier League, West Ham United had to start the European season in the Conference League playoffs. In them, Denmark’s Viborg was swept aside.
In a group with Anderlecht, Silkeborg and Romanian FCSB, the English finished proudly on top with six wins in as many games.
In the knockout phase, AEK Larnaca were brought to knee in the eighth finals (2-0, 4-0) before conquering Belgium in the quarter-finals. After a 1-1 draw in Belgium, it became 4-1 in London.
WHU-AZ | AZ: Road to the semi-final
AZ managed to win the playoffs for European soccer after last year’s fifth-place finish in the premier league. It earned the Alkmaarders a starting ticket to the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
Bosnian Tuzla were simply swept aside after a 1-0 win in Alkmaar and a 4-0 victory in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the third round, Dundee United was the opponent. AZ lost 1-0 in Scotland, but in their own AFAS stadium they won 7-0. The Portuguese Gil Vicente was the opponent in the playoffs. AZ won 4-0 in Alkmaar and then won 2-1 in Portugal.
In the group stage AZ met FC Vaduz of Liechtenstein, Apollon Limassol of Cyprus and Ukrainian Dnipro-1. with five wins and one defeat AZ won the group.
Then Lazio awaited in the eighth finals. AZ won both meetings 2-1 after which Anderlecht was the opponent in the quarter-finals. After a 2-0 defeat in Belgium, they won 2-0 in Alkmaar. After the extension, AZ took the penalties better.
Strength West Ham lies in midfield, AZ’s chances are at the back
With West Ham United, AZ will certainly not meet a big unknown tonight in the Conference League semifinals, but for the average soccer follower it will still be no mean feat to name the Hammers’ starting eleven. It is no Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United.
Last Sunday, Scottish coach David Moyes’ team won 1-0 over Erik ten Hags United, taking a big step toward survival in the Premier League. West Ham is now fifteenth in the Premier League. We introduce the team.
Tonight at 9 p.m. AZ and West Ham United kick off in London for the first match in the Conference League semifinals. Fiorentina and FC Basel face each other in the other semifinal.
Furthermore, we have also arrived at the semifinals of the Europa League:
9 p.m.: AS Roma – Bayer Leverkusen
9 p.m.: Juventus – Sevilla
