Season: August to early May, two week break over Christmas and New Year.

Kick off times: Sunday 4pm is regular time but they are spread across the weekend.Usually Friday night game at 8.30pm and Monday at 7.45pm Saturday kick offs vary from 5pm to 9.15pm, and at least one Sunday evening.

Top leagues:
Primiera Liga  or Liga ZON Sagres (UEFA co-efficient 6)
Average attendance 2010/11: 10,080
16 teams.
Top 3 into Champions League, 4th, 5th and cup winners in Europa League. Bottom 2 relegated.
League website: http://www.lpfp.pt

Liga De Honra or Liga Orangina:
Average attendance 2010/11 : 1,237
16 teams. Top two teams promoted.

League website: http://www.lpfp.pt/liga_orangina

Portugal was once a European giant. Once.

In the days when whoever ruled the waves, ruled the world, Portugal was well set - the most westerly of European nations, its long coastline was the gateway to the New World.

I'd bet a plate of sardines that there aren't any statues to the Wright Brothers or Stelios in the country. When man learned to fly the ports of the world lost their power - and so did Portugal's, and with it the country's position on the world stage.

Portugal was a European football giant too. Once.

Back in the sixties, Eusuabio came over to the World Cup in England and stole the show. His side made it to the semis and thrilled the crowds with their flair and style of play. And Benfica were a European powerhouse, a regular in the final rounds of the European Cup.

Then the bean counters drew up the Champions League and as the big four leagues began to dominate it appeared Portugal would be consigned to the footballing sidelines.

Then in 2004 two things changed all that.

One man in a dapper black overcoat, who had never graced the major football pitches himself, took his Porto side to the Champions League final, beating the cream of Europe, including Man United, along the way.  And they won it.


Jose Mourinho may have then left for Stamford Bridge but Portugal's reversal in fortunes had just begun.

That summer the country hosted a major tournament for the first time. Ageing stadiums were consigned to dust and in their place sprang up gleaming new temples to the game. The amazing open spaces of the Dragau and Estadio da Luz were beamed on telly to millions across the continent.

Hundreds of thousands of fans made the pilgrimage to Portugal, had a whale of a time and saw the big sides put in their place as Greece took the trophy. The hosts saw off England and, perhaps more importantly, their arch rivals Spain on their way to the semis.

The legacy of that tournament can still be seen. Portugal continue to play the beautiful gamem their starring light, Ronaldo, is the toast of Europe and they've made great strides in the Europa League. They're well and truly on the European map.