Xhaka Promises 'Fire' as Sunderland's 53-Year European Exile Ends Against AZ Alkmaar

Half a century of waiting ends when Sunderland host AZ Alkmaar in their first home European fixture since 1973 — and captain Granit Xhaka has promised the Stadium of Light will be filled with 'fire.' The contrast between then and now could hardly be more striking. As Guardian Football recalls, when Sunderland last entertained continental opposition, the club's directors regarded the occasion less as a celebration and more as a fundraising exercise. Admission prices were doubled for the second leg of their opening European Cup Winners' Cup tie against Vasas of Budapest, with the extra revenue earmarked for upgrading Roker Park's floodlights — a system designed for the black-and-white television era that was rapidly becoming obsolete as colour broadcasting spread across England. The timing could not have been worse. The price hike came amid long-running industrial action by miners and railway workers, at a moment when finances across the north-east were painfully tight. The result was a turnout of under 23,000 for a European night, with Dennis Tueart's penalty eventually wrapping up a 3-0 aggregate victory that deserved far more witnesses. No such worries accompany Sunderland's long-awaited return. Xhaka, whose leadership has been central to the club's resurgence, is relishing the prospect of an intimidating atmosphere when the Dutch side visit Wearside. After more than five decades in the wilderness, anticipation is palpable, and the captain believes a fervent crowd can act as an extra man from the first whistle. There is a pleasing symmetry to the tale. In 1973, European football was something the club's hierarchy monetised out of necessity; in 2026, it is the reward for years of patient rebuilding. Where supporters once stayed away as industrial strife squeezed household budgets, they will now pack the ground desperate to witness history — a generation of fans finally getting the continental night their grandparents could barely afford to attend. Whether the football matches the occasion remains to be seen, but Xhaka's message is clear: Sunderland are back on the European stage, and they intend to make some noise while they are there. Fifty-three years is a long time to wait for a homecoming. On Thursday, the fire the captain has promised finally gets to burn.