The turnaround at home, when 0–1 became 2–1, became the basis for success in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
It looked like a long time all the way to the Eden Arena in Prague – but it was only when Pablo Fornals scored 1-0 in extra time in the return in the Netherlands that coach David Moyes & Co dared to smile.
The final, which will be played on June 7, means that the club has a chance to fill the prize cupboard in London.
West Ham’s last trophy was arranged in the 1979–1980 FA Cup. In Europe, they have a victory in the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1964–1965 and a final defeat in the same tournament in the 1976–77 season.
In AZ Alkmaar, Jesper Karlsson played from the start and Mayckel Lahdo jumped in in the 78th minute.
The final in the Czech Republic awaits Serie A side Fiorentina, who settled the semi-final against Basel with Antonin Barak’s 129th-minute extra-time goal to make it 3-1, 4-3 on aggregate.