Celtic and Porto Seek To Recapture European Glory

Two European clubs steeped in tradition will take to the field in Seville's Estadio Olímpico on Wednesday night in the hopes of taking home the UEFA Cup and reclaiming their place among the continent's soccer elite. Glasgow Celtic's last great triumph was when it won the European Cup in 1967. FC Porto won the same competition 20 years later, but hasn't been in a European final since.

Scottish invasion

Central Seville was swamped in green and white on Wednesday ahead of the match, as thousands of Celtic fans kicked off their pre-match celebrations. Although the club was allocated only 15,000 tickets for the big game, thousands more are expected to arrive just for the party. Estimates range from 40,000 to 70,000 Celtic supporters from Glasgow and as far afield as the United States and Australia. Most of the Porto fans are expected to drive down just in time for the match.

Porto injury-free

Porto Coach Jose Mourinho has no serious injury worries. He's without suspended forward Helder Postiga, who was sent off in the semi-final, but midfielder Francisco Costinha has been declared fit again after he pulled a muscle in a domestic league match just over a week ago. Defender Nuno Valente, who was considered doubtful for the game, is also fit to line out.

Mourinho is playing his cards close to his chest, and has yet to reveal who will partner Derlei Silva, the tournament's top scorer with ten goals so far, up front. He has a choice between Edgaras Jankauskas and Nuno Capucho, both of whom scored in Saturday's victory over Varzim in the Portuguese premier league.

He's expected to use his standard back four of Paolo Ferreira, Jorge Costa, Ricardo Carvalho and Valente. As usual, Vitor Baia will be between the posts.

In midfield, Costinha is likely to be joined by playmaker Deco Souza, Maniche Ribeiro and Dmitri Alenitchev.

Hartson out for Celtic

Celtic coach Martin O'Neill will have to go without the services of striker John Hartson, a key figure in their European campaign until now. Hartson has been ruled out due to a back injury. But O'Neill can still count on a powerful strike force that includes Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson, who has scored 28 league goals this season and nine in the UEFA Cup.

Central midfielder Stilian Petrov will by joined by Alan Thompson, Paul Lambert, Neil Lennon and Didier Agathe, who strikes fear into the hearts of defenders with his scintillating pace down the wing. Robert Douglas in goal will enjoy the protection of Joos Valgaeren, Bobo Balde and Johann Mjallby. If O'Neill opts for a more defensive line-up, Lambert may have to make way for Jackie McNamara.

Two approaches to history

The two coaches have adopted different approaches to the historical burden on their players' shoulders. Martin O'Neill says his players will be full of pride as they walk out onto the pitch and remember the club's most famous triumph in 1967. "The important thing is that we embrace the club's history and not be frightened of it," he said.

Jose Mourinho, on the other hand, told his players not to be overawed by the task of bringing home the club's first European trophy in 16 years, saying "For this game, the players need to relax more and enjoy it."

Pitch "full of holes"

That may be easier said than done. Mourinho has already complained about the state of the pitch, describing it as "very slow and full of holes." He even went so far as to say "The ball doesn't roll in a straight line." The rough surface may prove more suited to Celtic's robust style of play than to that of the skillful Portuguese.

Porto odds-on

Although both sides have claimed high-profile scalps in this campaign, with Porto knocking out Lazio of Rome and Celtic disposing of Liverpool en route to the final, most bookies have Porto as odds-on favourites to lift the cup, with Celtic at 2-1.