Why go to Portugal? The country

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.



The Dragau Stadium, home of Porto, during Euro 2004


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 game and their starring light, Ronaldo, is the toast of Europe. They're well and truly on the European map.


When's kick off? Season and match kick off times

Portugal's main league has 16 teams and fixtures kick off in mid August, running through until the second weekend of May. There is a two week break over the Christmas and New Year period.

The official regular kick off time is 4pm on Sunday but that's nothing to go by. Sometimes as few as two games start at that time with the eight league matches spread over four days to satisfy the TV audiences.

There is usually a Friday night game at 8.30pm, and one the following Monday at 7.45pm.

The number on Saturday and Sunday varies from three apiece, to maybe one on Saturday and five on Sunday. Saturday kick offs can vary from 5pm to 9.15pm, whilst one of the Sunday games is usually played in the evening.

As in Spain, fixture times are confirmed just a week or so ahead so bear this in mind when booking your flights. The good thing is that in the Lisbon area alone there are several top flight teams so if you're not too bothered about who you see and where, the chances are there will be a couple of kick offs to choose from.


Out of our league: The 2009-10 clubs

Academica de Coimbra

Stadium: Estadio Cidade de Coimbra (30,000)
From main station: Local train to Coimbra-Parque, or 30 mins walk
Closest airports: Porto, Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Naval
Club website: http://www.academica-oaf.pt/



Belenenses
Stadium: Estadio de Restelo (32,500)
From main station: Take train from Lisbon on Cascais line to Belem, then a 15 min walk.
Closest airports: Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Vitoria de Setubal
Club website: www.osbelenenses.com



Benfica
Stadium: Estadio da Luz (65,000)
From main station: Lisbon metro to Colgio Militar or Alto dos Moinhos on blue line
Closest airports: Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Sporting Lisbon, Belenenses, Vitoria de Setubal
Club website: www.slbenfica.pt



Sporting de Braga
Stadium: Estadio AXA (30,000)
From main station: 30 mins walk
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Vitoria Guimaraes
Club website: http://www.scbraga.pt/



Leixoes
Stadium: Estadio do Mar (16,000)
From main station: From Porto, Metro to Estadio do Mar
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Porto, Boavista (3rd Div)
Club website:  http://www.leixoessc.pt/



Maritimo (Madeira)
Stadium: Estadio dos Barreiros (9,000)
From main station: Central Funchal
Closest airports: Madeira
Closest Portuguese clubs: Nacional
Club website: http://www.csmaritimo.pt/



Nacional (Madeira)
Stadium: Estadio da Madeira (5,000)
From main station: 3 miles from central Funchal
Closest airports: Madeira
Closest Portuguese clubs: Maritimo
Club website: http://www.cdnacional.pt/



Naval 1 de Maio
Stadium: Estadio Municipal Jose Bento Pessoa (12,500)
From main station: From Figueira da Foz station, 30 mins walk
Closest airports: Porto, Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Coimbra
Club website: http://www.naval1demaio.com/



Olhanense
Stadium: Estadio Jose Arcanjo (10,000)
From main station: From Olhao, 20 mins walk
Closest airports: Faro
Closest Portuguese clubs: xx
Club website: http://www.scolhanense.com/



Pacos de Ferreira
Stadium: Estadio da Mata Real (5,000)
From main station: No close stations, Porto 20 miles
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Vitoria de Guimaraes
Club website:  http://www.fcpf.pt/



Porto
Stadium: Estadio do Dragao (50,000)
From main station: Metro to Estadio do Dragao
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Leixoes, Boavista (3rd Div)
Club website: http://www.fcporto.pt/English/hp_english.asp



Rio Ave
Stadium: Estadio do Rio Ave (13,000)
From main station: Porto Metro to Via do Conde
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Leixoes, Porto, Boavista (3rd Div)
Club website:  http://www.rioave-fc.pt/



Sporting (Lisbon)
Stadium: Estadio Jose Alvalade (50,000)
From main station: Metro to Campo Grande on green and yellow lines
Closest airports: Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Benfica, Belenenses, Vitoria de Setubal
Club website: www.sporting.pt



Uniao de Leiria
Stadium: Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa (30,000)
From main station: From Leiria station, 30 mins walk
Closest airports: Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Coimbra, Naval
Club website: http://www.uniaodeleiria.pt/



Vitoria de Guimaraes
Stadium: Estadio D Afonso Henriques (30,000)
From main station: From Guimaraes, 20 mins walk
Closest airports: Porto
Closest Portuguese clubs: Pacos de Ferreira, Braga
Club website: http://www.vitoriasc.pt/



Vitoria de Setubal
Stadium: Estadio do Bonfim (19,000)
From main station: Train from Lisbon to Setubal (1 hour) then a 15 min walk
Closest airports: Lisbon
Closest Portuguese clubs: Benfica, Sporting Lisbon, Belenenses
Club website: www.vfc.pt