Baía recalls Porto's coming of age drama

Celtic FC 2-3 FC Porto (aet)
Estadio Olimpico, Seville, 21 May 2003
Larsson 47 57; Derlei 45+1, Alenichev 54, Derlei 115

The 2002/03 UEFA Cup brought together two of Europe's celebrated clubs and two of its brightest young coaches, José Mourinho of FC Porto and Celtic FC's Martin O'Neill. It was Mourinho, though, who would come out on top, the 'Special One' announcing himself to the continent with a dramatic extra-time victory in Seville. It was a fitting finale for two of the competition's most exciting teams. Henrik Larsson ended the campaign with eleven goals, one less than Porto's Derlei whose winning strike was the first to decide the UEFA Cup on the silver goal rule.

'Great example'
In a compelling, end-to-end match. Derlei and Larsson swapped goals either side of half-time before Dmitri Alenichev restored Porto's advantage. Larsson hit back again almost immediately, but the prolific Derlei had the final word, scoring the winner with five minutes of extra time remaining. Mourinho called the game "a great example to those who love football." It was also a great example of the threat Porto would carry into the next, ultimately glorious, UEFA Champions League season. Here, Porto's then goalkeeper Vítor Baía relives a memorable contest.

Vítor Baía
"They were fantastic moments, moments that marked us because it was the first European final this generation of Porto players had played in. The level of emotion during the game was tremendous. There was constant uncertainty over the result, but we were finally able to win in extra time, five minutes from the end. On the day we felt we were writing history, almost as if we had seen it on TV. It was a dream to help Porto win a European trophy. It meant a lot to that generation of players, and the emotions felt during the match and especially towards the end, marked us deeply.

"In those years we had unbelievable confidence. That may be because our coach was a person with great confidence and great ambition: José Mourinho. We were a team that suited his vision. We were able to stay strong in any type of atmosphere. We finished the first half 1-0 up thanks to a goal by Derlei. Celtic started better in the second half. There was a minor lack of concentration from our side and they drew level, but we reacted very well.

"When Celtic scored it was clear they would get a boost, but we didn't give in. We were always in control and scored to make it 2-1 before conceding another equaliser. Then Derlei found strength when no one else had it, to make it 3-2. It really was something spectacular. Those last five minutes were the longest five minutes of our lives, because Celtic, playing their usual British style, could hurt us in the air.

"When the final whistle went we were all in my penalty area and the whole team ran to the other end to celebrate with our fans, because they also deserved it. It was an unforgettable season, beyond words, because I was born at FC Porto. I received my football education there. It was a childhood dream. The fact I also supported Porto made it tremendous. This trophy meant a bit more to me because it was the first one for my club, although I won the Champions League later, and had already lifted the Cup Winners' Cup with Barcelona."