Sunderland historian Rob Mason explained to BBC Radio Newcastle how the club and its supporters have been waiting for this moment since the Stadium of Light was built in 1997.

The Black Cats came close to qualifying in the following years of their new home being built, with two seventh-place finishes and an FA Cup semi-final in the early 2000's.

Mason said: "We've had several near-misses, but this year is not a near-miss. This year it's really come to fruition that we are in Europe and guaranteed a minimum eight games.

"We've been eagerly looking forward to it since 24 May when we beat Chelsea to qualify for Europe and it's finally here. It's a big game against an in-form Dutch side and we'll make the most of it."

Gary Bennett
Ex-Sunderland defender on BBC Radio Newcastle

It's been a journey, especially from where Sunderland have come from.

From Division One days where we'd been playing at places like Morecombe and Akrington Stanley, we're actually playing in Europe now.

I don't think a lot of supporters have seen a European game, I'm one of them as well, and we're pinching ourselves. Our target was to get back into the Premier League and if you start talking about Europe you're thinking 'well it's not going to happen in the present moment'.

But the club over the past four years, what they've achieved and what the players have achieved has been unbelievable.

Andy Brassell
European football expert on TNT Sports

I think this is Sunderland's toughest home game, there's no doubt about that.

But that means if they can get off to a good start they can enjoy their trip to Milan and not really worry about the result.

They should be making the top 24 quite comfortably, the top eight is a genuine possibility for them.

Sunderland

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking to TNT Sports: "Proud for the players, proud for the club and proud for the fans because they deserve these kind of moments."

On embracing the occasion: "Play the game first and impose our style of play, our intensity and be brave."

On making four changes: "We've got four new good players in the squad so the depth of the squad is really good. Going game by game it is important to refresh this part of the pitch."

On Malick Fofana starting: "He's a good player so we need good players to be efficient on the pitch. It is going to be his first start. He played in the Carabao Cup and played well so looking forward to seeing him on the pitch with his new team-mates."

On the fans: "They are connected with the style of play. When we press high, when we are brave, when we take responsibility, they are behind us. It's a really good connection and I hope that will be the case this evening."

Sunderland

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland goalkeeper and record appearance maker Jimmy Montgomery speaking to TNT Sports: "Some 50 odd years we didn't know what we were going into. The lads don't know what they are going into tonight but I'm sure they will enjoy the occasion."

On whether he thought it would be a 53 year wait to see Sunderland back in Europe: "Not really, no. But you don't think of things like that. You do what you can for the club. We enjoyed the experience, it was a brilliant experience and I'm sure the lads and the gaffer will enjoy the experience when we win."

On what he is expecting from tonight: "The atmosphere will be absolutely unbelievable, I can guarantee that. It will be interesting to see what they have planned for before the game. They have just got to go out and enjoy it. I think we will get a win and this place will be absolutely rocking."

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka says the Stadium of Light "will be on fire" when the Black Cats return to European football for the first time in 53 years against AZ Alkmaar on Wednesday.

Xhaka is set to lead out Regis le Bris' side on a landmark night, just over a year since the club returned to the Premier League after an eight-year absence.

The 33-year-old has experienced his fair share of big occasions across his career at the top level - winning two FA Cups as well as league titles in Germany and Switzerland, and losing Europa League finals with both Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen - but sees Wednesday's opener as a special prospect.

"It means a lot. We knew that last season we wrote something in our history to be back after 53 years, and starting to feel the excitement from the people as well," said Xhaka.

"The stadium will be on fire because the fans deserve it and the football club deserves it, but after the hard work last season, the players deserve to be where we are as well.

"The excitement is one side and the other part is to enjoy the game as because there's nothing better than playing European football, to compete against the best ones in Europe, and to try to get as much as possible.

"We want to give our fans the joy and good results - let's go for it.

"For sure, the Premier League is our priority. But, the bonus of the Europa League is something that we are trying to get and that's a big challenge for us.

"I've twice been in the Europa League final, lost twice in the final, so for me it's a big dream to get another final and to get it with this football club."

When legendary former midfielder Mick Horswill scored for Sunderland against Portuguese side Sporting in the Uefa Cup Winners' Cup last 16 first leg back in 1973, he probably did not think he would remain the last Black Cats player to score a European goal until 2026.

However, with Regis le Bris leading the club back into European action after a 53-year wait in the Europa League, that record finally looks set to break.

"It's been my pride and joy for 53 years and now I'm going to lose it," Horswill told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"Can they win the cup if they don't score? Win every game on penalties? That will be good for me!

"It's fantastic to see Sunderland back in Europe and fantastic for the supporters. We never expected it. All we wanted to do last season was stay up. The season the had was incredible, all due to the players and their attitude.

"I just feel so good for the supporters. We have the best supporters in the country and they deserve everything they get."

Kevin Phillips
Former Sunderland striker on TNT Sports

Image source, Getty Images

For me it is about the fans, they have been through thick and thin. It was only five years ago they were playing in League One.

They stick by their players, they stick by the club and they deserve it.

I can't wait to get into that stadium, hear the atmosphere and watch the team play in Europe, it's amazing.

The atmosphere is going to be incredible.

I've witnessed some decent atmospheres in that stadium but I think tonight will be the very best.

Sunderland fans are gearing up for a "raucous" return to European football after a 53-year wait.

Fan Colin Lynch, 54, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: "It's been a journey, I never thought it was going to happen but it is. I'm smiling from ear to ear."

Meanwhile, Simon Haley, 39, from Durham, said: "It's going to break decibel records when they walk out… I reckon they'll hear it in Shields."

Kyle Wilkinson, 39, from Durham said: "It's going to be raucous tonight.

"It's showing the best of Sunderland in a way. Look at the way the city is looking now and we get a European night to show it off."

To show how far Sunderland have come in a short space of time they still have in their squad two players from their League One days - Trai Hume and Luke O'Nien.

"It shows they are really well connected with the identity of club," Sunderland boss Regis le Bris said.

"We are talking about the key values and key pillars, but also behaviours. You want to get better. You can start maybe from a lower level, but if you get better, you want to improve every day, you can reach something impressive - like this."

Regis le Bris makes four changes to the Sunderland team that started Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Arsenal for the Black Cats' first European game since 1973.

In come Omar Alderete, Trai Hume, Malick Fofana and Wilson Isidor with Dan Ballard, Thomas Meunier, Nilson Angulo and Brian Brobbey all dropping to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Danso, Alderete, Reinildo, Sadiki, Xhaka, Hume, Le Fee, Fofana, Isidor

Subs: Moore, Ballard, Methalie, Brobbey, Angulo, Rigg, Meunier, O'Nien, Ahoka.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

There are two changes to the AZ Alkmaar XI that started their 1-1 draw with Willem II on Friday.

Manager Leeroy Echteld brings in Kees Smit and Ayoub Oufkir as the Dutch side aim to extend their unbeaten start to the campaign.

AZ Alkmaar XI: De Busser, Dijkstra, Goes, Schouten, Chavez, Clasie, Koopmeiners, Smit, Oufkir, Daal, Meerdink.

Subs: Owusu-Oduro, Verhulst, Maikuma, Patati, Stengs, Byskov, Kovacs, Hornkamp, Kwakman, Hoedt, Ichihara, De Wit.

Image source, BBC/ Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Good evening!

It has been quite a couple of years for Sunderland fans.

Not only did they gain a perhaps unexpected promotion back to the Premier League two seasons ago but they surpassed expectations last term to finish seventh and secure European football for this campaign.

Now they are preparing to embark on a new adventure.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have had to wait a long time to taste European football once again - 53 years to be exact.

That means for many fans this will be their first experience of it, and excitement has been building all day as the Black Cats prepare to play their first game in this season's Europa League.