Undefeated Porto captures Europa
Source: Agencies |
May 20, 2011, Friday
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FC Porto revived its status as a European power by beating Braga 1-0 on Wednesday in an all-Portuguese Europa League final in Dublin to crown a near-perfect season with the club's biggest title in seven years.
Radamel Falcao provided the winner in the 44th minute, meeting a perfect cross from the right by Fred Guarin to head into the top left corner of the net after a largely tentative first half. The goal was the lone moment of brilliance in a game that featured little of entertainment value, as the heavily favored Porto effectively neutralized Braga's efforts to fight back.
Substitute Mossoro nearly responded just a minute after the break but had his low shot saved by Helton when free with the goalkeeper, wasting what proved to be Braga's best chance for an equalizer.
It was Portuguese champion Porto's first European title since winning the 2004 Champions League under Jose Mourinho and came after an undefeated domestic league season.
With the victory, Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas became the youngest coach to win a European title at age 33, and in his first season in charge of the club. Porto still has a chance to win the Portuguese Cup as well, and the comparisons between Villas-Boas and Mourinho - his former mentor - are only likely to grow.
"You can dream about goals, and we dreamed the most about winning this tournament," Villas-Boas said. "I believe we always felt obliged to win the Europa League. We sort of felt we owed it to ourselves. ... It's a pity it wasn't a good spectacle, but that's a reality in European finals."
Braga was playing in its first major European final after ousting another Portuguese power, Benfica, in the semifinals.
But it couldn't spring a last surprise as the game developed in predictable fashion, with Porto by far the more attacking team from the start while Braga focused on defense and counterattacks.
"We knew pretty well this wasn't going to be easy," Braga coach Domingos Paciencia said.
"I'm sad because this team has been working together for three years. We went through unique moments. ... My players who are in the dressing room are also a bit disappointed that we weren't able to win, but we are still proud of ourselves."
Brazilian forward Hulk posed a constant threat with his powerful runs down both flanks, and nearly opened the scoring when he broke into the area from the right in the seventh minute and went past two defenders before sending a shot wide of the far post.
Radamel Falcao provided the winner in the 44th minute, meeting a perfect cross from the right by Fred Guarin to head into the top left corner of the net after a largely tentative first half. The goal was the lone moment of brilliance in a game that featured little of entertainment value, as the heavily favored Porto effectively neutralized Braga's efforts to fight back.
Substitute Mossoro nearly responded just a minute after the break but had his low shot saved by Helton when free with the goalkeeper, wasting what proved to be Braga's best chance for an equalizer.
It was Portuguese champion Porto's first European title since winning the 2004 Champions League under Jose Mourinho and came after an undefeated domestic league season.
With the victory, Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas became the youngest coach to win a European title at age 33, and in his first season in charge of the club. Porto still has a chance to win the Portuguese Cup as well, and the comparisons between Villas-Boas and Mourinho - his former mentor - are only likely to grow.
"You can dream about goals, and we dreamed the most about winning this tournament," Villas-Boas said. "I believe we always felt obliged to win the Europa League. We sort of felt we owed it to ourselves. ... It's a pity it wasn't a good spectacle, but that's a reality in European finals."
Braga was playing in its first major European final after ousting another Portuguese power, Benfica, in the semifinals.
But it couldn't spring a last surprise as the game developed in predictable fashion, with Porto by far the more attacking team from the start while Braga focused on defense and counterattacks.
"We knew pretty well this wasn't going to be easy," Braga coach Domingos Paciencia said.
"I'm sad because this team has been working together for three years. We went through unique moments. ... My players who are in the dressing room are also a bit disappointed that we weren't able to win, but we are still proud of ourselves."
Brazilian forward Hulk posed a constant threat with his powerful runs down both flanks, and nearly opened the scoring when he broke into the area from the right in the seventh minute and went past two defenders before sending a shot wide of the far post.
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