Sunderland end 53-year wait as AZ Alkmaar visit for Europa League opener | OneFootball

Sunderland end a 53-year wait on Wednesday, with AZ Alkmaar visiting the Stadium of Light for the Europa League opener. Excitement is high among supporters and club greats.

According to Sunderland Echo, the Black Cats last played in Europe in November 1973 against Sporting CP, so most fans have never seen it. Fans Museum founder Michael Ganley was two at the time.

Ganley says it still has not sunk in and that drawing AC Milan could finally quieten rivals’ chants. He believes Wednesday will rank among the club’s biggest nights and a chance to make history.

Fanzine editor Paul Dobson says the mood now is on a different level. After years in League One, he did not think he would see this and expects European football to lift the club’s profile.

Club chaplain Father Marc Lyden-Smith will be in Rome on the day to present a customised shirt to Pope Leo XVI and ask for a prayer for the campaign.

Former captain Gary Bennett expects a fantastic occasion and says he never thought he would see European qualification. He believes the Premier League return has lifted the city’s profile. Bobby Kerr calls it magic and hopes for a win, while Jimmy Montgomery notes many once feared relegation.

Looking ahead, Ganley points to Aston Villa’s run and says making the Stadium of Light a fortress would give Sunderland a chance. Dobson feels any Premier League side has a chance and Bennett says anything could happen with a well organised team.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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