Koevermans' song for Europe

The music of Boney M could strike fear into Werder Bremen hearts on Thursday night if AZ Alkmaar forward Danny Koevermans gets into his stride in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals.

Disco fever
Fans at the DSB Stadium are in the habit of celebrating Koevermans goals with an update on the disco act's 1976 hit Daddy Cool - "Danny, Danny Koev". With the 28-year-old scoring 19 goals in the Eredivisie this term, his signature tune is receiving plenty of air time in the Netherlands and beyond.

All-time high
And following his debut for the Oranje in last week's UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier in Slovenia, Koevermans told uefa.com: "When my career is over, I will think back a lot to this period. It's not bad for a player who was still in the second division two years ago." Having joined AZ from Sparta Rotterdam two summers ago, Koevermans took a season to find his feet but is now on fire at home and abroad. It was his second-half header that took Alkmaar past Newcastle United FC in the Round of 16.

Key influences
For the man of the moment, this sudden surge in form has come as something of a surprise. "I knew I would not become a regular at AZ straight away, and although it was not hard to settle here, I am still amazed how well it has gone both for the club and for me," he said. The credit, he insists, must go to coach Louis van Gaal and strike partner Shota Arveladze. "Van Gaal forces you to be sharp all the time, in every training session and every match. You learn to look at the game differently and learn to think ahead.

Arveladze example
"Shota is a wonderful person and a great player with lots of experience," he continued. "He has taught me to choose the right position and to pick my moments better. Shota rarely runs too much - he always saves his breath for the decisive action. I really like being with him, on and off the pitch." Whether the duo can shoot AZ into the UEFA Cup semi-finals, starting with Thursday's first leg at home to Bremen, is the big question. UEFA Champions League refugees Bremen are many pundits' tip to win the competition, yet having dismissed Newcastle and Fenerbahçe SK in the knockout phase, Koevermans' AZ will be happy to take on all-comers.

'Tough again'
"It's a cliché, but this will be tough again," the Dutch international said. "I know quite a lot about German football and know Werder are a strong side with a number of top players who can easily decide a match. But after Newcastle and Fenerbahçe, we know we have a chance." And should AZ's momentum continue, Boney M could yet be belting out from the stands at Glasgow's Hampden Park come 16 May.