Portuguese Europa League final

SC Braga v. FC Porto, two clubs from the north of Portugal, are to dispute the Europa League Final in Dublin, Ireland on May 18. Braga beat Benfica (also Portugal) 1-0 and FC Porto beat Spain's Villarreal 7-4 over two legs, despite losing tonight in Spain 3-2. One thing is certain: hail the new era of Braga coach Domingos Paciência.

Domingos Paciência was a star forward player for FC Porto, a club where he learnt the ropes...and how. He has guided Sporting de Braga, also in northern Portugal, to a third/fourth spot in the Portuguese league and their first ever final of a UEFA competition. After losing 2-1 at Benfica (Lisbon) last week, SC Braga won tonight 1-0, with a 19' minute goal from Custódio. Aggregate 2-2, Braga win on away goals.

FC Porto 7 - Villarreal 4 (two legs)

Tonight at the El Madrigal Stadium, Spanish side Villarreal beat FC Porto 3-2 (Cani, 17; Capdevilla, 75; Rossi 80 penalty; Hulk, 39; Falcao, 48). Falcao established a record with his sixteenth goal of the competition.

In Dublin, two of Europe's best young coaches will be confronting each other - Braga's Domingos Paciência and Porto's André Villas-Boas, both products of FC Porto.

Photo: Domingos Paciência, SC Braga coach

Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey

Pravda.Ru