Portugal hoping Europa final will hail new era

Portugal, whose economic woes are well-documented, has long been forced to export its plentiful top talent to bigger leagues, leaving its clubs making only infrequent forays to European finals.

Porto and Braga's presence in the final in Dublin, together with Benfica's run to the last four, may signal a change.

"This marks the culmination of an extraordinary season for Portuguese teams and underlines how competitive our football is in a demanding international context," said Fernando Gomes, head of the Portuguese League.

"May we all take the right lessons from this," he added.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento said part of the lesson has to be giving opportunities to young coaches like Porto's Andre Villas Boas and Braga's Domingos.

"For them to be at a European final is good for Portugal and helps destroy a negative myth about young coaches," he said.

After Benfica's two European Cups in the 1960s, over two decades passed until Porto's win in 1987 and then another 16 years before Jose Mourinho bagged the UEFA Cup and then the Champions League the next season for the northern club.

Porto's challenge in a Champions League next season would be hugely enhanced if they succeed in their effort to keep Colombia striker Radamel Falcao and Brazilian forward Hulk.

Benfica are likely to invest after missing out on the final, while Braga's remarkable season on a shoestring budget has rewarded them with the funds to continue impressing.