Dutch football club AZ Alkmaar (based in the northern city of Alkmaar) claimed the KNVB Cup (the Netherlands' primary domestic cup competition) on Sunday with a commanding 5–1 victory over NEC Nijmegen, ending a 13-year wait for silverware. Club directors highlighted the historic nature of the win, noting that six academy-trained players started the final, underscoring the club's long-term investment in youth development. The victory also secures AZ's direct qualification for next season's UEFA Europa League, bringing significant financial and sporting benefits to the club.