Porto meet Braga in Europa final full of contrast

Coach Andre Villas Boas has built a vintage Porto side, marrying a fluid and rampant attack with a hard-working midfield and a solid defence to lift the domestic title and reach a European final in his first season at the club.

"We hope to have a beautiful end to the season. We may end up paying for our style, of wanting the ball and creating chances but we will not change," the 33-year-old coach said ahead of the final in Dublin.

"We would rather die than give up our style of play. Finals are to be well played, not to be boring."

Based a mere 50 kilometres north of Porto, Domingos' Braga were the surprise package in the competition as they relied on their clinical counter attacking style to reach the final.

"We know we have reached a final when no one could see us doing so. We ended up using that as a weapon," said Domingos, who will be leaving the club after Wednesday's showdown.

"We know perfectly well that our opponent is a tough one. But we have proven in the past that we are able to win regardless of who we play against," Domingos said.

As a former lethal striker at Porto, for whom he scored over 100 goals, Domingos will be all too aware of the difference in the two clubs' international achievements.

"History doesn't count here. These are 90 minutes on their own and old players like (former Porto keeper) Vitor Baia won't be playing. History is in the past, it's us now," Falcao said.

"We should not underestimate Braga, we cannot underestimate a team that has reached a final."