The stage is sets for the UEFA Europa League finals this season's in the city of Dublin for the first time in its history on May 18th 2011. On Tuesday 19th April 13.00 hours lo- cal time a special handing over ceremony of the prestigious trophy at the Royal Kil- mainham Hospital, top UEFA’s officials including President Michel Platini went through the necessary protocol in handing over the trophy to Gerry Breen, lord mayor of Dub- lin, for the Irish capital city to keep and display to the public until the final.
Porto smashing Spartak Moscow with a 10-3 aggregate will have an uphill task taking on a very experienced Spanish side Villarreal. Soccer crazy fans can’t wait to see Porto Hosting Villarreal at their Estádio do Dragão stadium in the first leg encounter, many will agree this contest will only be determined between both legs, despite Porto’s excellent runs in this season Europa competition. Villarreal on the other hand has been very impressive considering the approach in which the Spanish side wrapped up a comprehensive 8-2 aggregate victory over another tough FC Twente side with a 3-1 second leg win in Holland.
Meanwhile, Benfica who fought back from two goals down to level at PSV Eindhoven, with a two all draw in ensuring their progress, 6-3 on aggregate will be hosting their Portuguese counterparts SC Braga.
Benfica entered the game with a commanding 4-1 lead from the first leg but a come- back looked more than possible when Balazs Dzsudzsak and Jeremain Lens pulled PSV within one goal during the opening 25 minutes.
However, Luisao calmed the visitors’ nerves deep into added time at the end of the first half, and Oscar Cardozo’s penalty just after the hour ensured the Portuguese side would progress.
Benfica will meet fellow’s countrymen Sporting Braga in the final four after they edged past Dynamo Kiev on away goals. Braga impressively held a slight advantage after claiming a 1-1 draw as Kiev could not capitalise on their numbers advantage.
However, many soccer pundits are of the opinion is an all Portuguese final in the city of Dublin, Porto will have to find a way past Villarreal to face Benfica or Braga but that is yet to be proven.
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