All-Portuguese final will be just Rio grand

A LITTLE bit of football history will be made today when Michel Platini hands over the Europa League trophy in Dublin. A first for Ireland and also a first for Portugal.

Three teams in the semi-final with the tantalising prospects of a Porto-Benfica showdown, or maybe a north Portugal derby — unless the men from Villarreal spoil the party.

The UEFA Cup, as it used to be called, has had a fair few domestic semi-finals down the years, but three from the same country is unusual.