PARIS (AFP) - Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen rolled back the years to rejoin the latter stages of European club competition with a 4-0 demolition job on FC Copenhagen on Thursday.

The Dons' biggest hour in Europe came over two decades ago when current Manchester United supremo Alex Ferguson guided them to UEFA Cup Winners' Cup glory in 1983.

At the halfway stage of what was billed as the Dons' biggest night in Europe in decades, Jimmy Calderwood's men looked set to remain rooted at the bottom of group B after a less than impressive campaign.

However a superb second half, sparked by a rapid double strike from Jamie Smith, saw Aberdeen go on the rampage leaving the Danes shellshocked - and out of the competition.

Elsewhere Everton finished unbeaten in group A after storming AZ Alkmaar's fortress, ending the Dutch side's coveted 32-match unbeaten record at home in Europe, which had stood since 1977.

Everton were already qualified, but David Moyes' side were relentless in their pursuit of victory - which spelled bad news for Alkmaar, especially in the 80th minute.

Andrew Johnson battled through the home defence to rattle in the opener inside two minutes, only for AZ to level just after the quarter hour when Graziano Pelle hit home for the hosts.

A minute before the interval Philip Jagielka put Everton in front, but after the break Kew Jaliens handed the Dutch a lifeline again by scoring in the 65th minute.

However in the 79th minute Everton youngster James Vaughan stunned AZ after volleying home from a difficult angle, and Louis Van Gaal's side were left kicking themselves after spurning two great chances in the final 10 minutes.

The result left Everton top of group A ahead of FC Nuremberg and St Petersburg.

In group B Aberdeen jumped from last place to third and will join Panathinaikos and Atletico Madrid in the draw for the last 32 Friday, which will include the eight teams who finished third in their respective groups in the Champions League.

Portuguese striker Simao gave Atletico the points by scoring a late winner in their 2-1 victory over Panathinaikos in Madrid.

Copenhagen looked to be hanging on to the third and final qualifying place in group A after holding the Dons to a scoreless first half at Pittodrie.

But Calderwood's men came out battling after the interval.

Withing ten minutes of the restart Smith had struck twice from distance and Aberdeen were sailing when Atiba Hutchinson's own goal handed them a 3-0 lead with 19 minutes to play.

Late substitute Ricky Foster made it 4-0 with a close range strike.

With Celtic in the last 16 of the Champions League, and Rangers dropping into the UEFA Cup, it means there will now be three Scottish clubs in Europe past Christmas.

Overall, there will be five British clubs in the UEFA Cup, Everton being joined by Bolton and Tottenham who both secured their places on Wednesday.

Tottenham, Bolton and Aberdeen however face potentially tough ties in Friday's draw.

Aberdeen finished third in group B and Bolton finished third in group F, meaning both will now play a team which finished top of another Uefa Cup group.

Spurs finished second in group G and will face a team which finished third in the Champions League group stage, while Everton won their group.

Bolton could face group winners Getafe, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg, Villarreal or Panathinaikos.

Tottenham face possible ties against Rangers, Marseille, Rosenborg, Werder Bremen, Benfica, Sporting or PSV.

None of the three British sides can however meet each other in the knockout stages.