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Europa success signals rise of Portugal coaches

Andre Villas Boas' rampant Porto swept past Villarreal in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday while Domingos' Braga saw off compatriots Benfica to book a place in their maiden European final, to be played in Dublin on May 18.

"The unprecedented presence of two Portuguese teams in a European final is a historical mark for Portuguese sport and proves the strength and quality of our football," said Gilberto Madail, head of the Portuguese Football Federation.

"(The final) will be a crazy affair, with huge emotions at stake," Villas Boas said.

Both coaches have relied heavily on South Americans, taking advantage of the fact that Portugal is a main point of entry for that continent's players coming into Europe.

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has shone for Porto alongside Brazil's Hulk, whose compatriot Vandinho scored the away goal that took Braga into the final.

Many of them will eye the Dublin final as a golden chance to emulate players like Real Madrid's Argentine winger Angel di Maria and Chelsea's Brazil centre back David Luiz by earning big-money moves from Portugal to Europe's bigger leagues.