Finalists seeking first success
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Article summary
No team from Portugal or Scotland has won the UEFA Cup as FC Porto prepare to take on Celtic FC in Seville.
Article body
First success
Tonight's final at the Estadio Olímpico, which kicks off at 20.45CET, will see either FC Porto or Celtic FC, who each have lifted the European Champion Clubs' Cup on a previous occasion, take the UEFA Cup home for the first time. Prior to this evening, the closest Portugal and Scotland have come to tasting success in the competition were when SL Benfica and Dundee United FC were beaten finalists in 1983 and 1987 respectively.
Singing and dancing
More than 100,000 supporters of both clubs, divided 70-30 in Celtic's favour, have descended on the sweltering Andalusian city, helping to provide a carnival of noise and colour before the showpiece final. Many of them were out until the early hours this morning, singing and dancing together in a friendly atmosphere. However, on a sombre note, one 17-year-old Porto fan drowned yesterday after getting into difficulty while swimming with friends in the Guadalquivir river.
No new worries
Neither team had any new injury worries to report on the day of the game, with both coaches naturally keeping their lineups close to their chest. The main selection problems for Porto's José Mourinho and Celtic's Martin O'Neill were, respectively, the suspension of forward Hélder Postiga and the injury to striker John Hartson but both are able to call on top scorers Derlei and Henrik Larsson.
Feyenoord memories
With both teams promising to give it their all after impressive runs to the final, the match is too close to call. If it merely equals the occasion seen in Rotterdam last year when Feyenoord were 3-2 final winners against BV Borussia Dortmund, the millions of neutral fans following the game around the world will not be disappointed.
Live tonight
uefa.com will provide comprehensive coverage of tonight's final, with text and audio commentary as well as a live panel show from 20.00CET. After the final whistle, there will be a detailed match report and review along with match photos, video highlights and reaction from each team's press conference.
