FC Porto, Braga and Celta de Vigo bound by 150 km Europa dream | OneFootball

Across a 150 km Atlantic corridor, FC Porto, Braga and Celta de Vigo supporters are daring to imagine a Europa League semi-final landscape on their doorstep, camaraderie outweighing rivalry as borders blur.

As reported by O Jogo, the quarter-final draw kept the trio apart, prompting hopes of an all north-west Iberian semi-final cast, with only the Aston Villa-Bologna winner standing as the potential interloper.

Between Porto and Braga there are whispers of a Dublin reprise from 2010/11, when Falcao settled the all-Portuguese final, even if domestic skirmishes since have occasionally soured relations.

The feature traced a convivial route from Porto’s Guindalense and GNR’s Pronúncia do Norte, through Braga’s Mão Morta memories and a Budapest stop, to Vigo with Siniestro Total, with francesinhas, bacalhau, seafood and Alvarinho or Albariño binding neighbours.

Shared histories flowed too, from Víctor Fernández’s contrasting fortunes to Benny McCarthy folklore, and cross-border careers that have touched Porto, Braga and Vigo, including Gabri Veiga, Nico González, Cadete, Capucho, Barroso, Alan and Galeno.

Celta followers Filipe and Begoña believe their side could finally lift a trophy, citing a 102-year legend, devotion to Iago Aspas that even inspires pet names, and a centenary hymn they hail as the Spanish league’s most inventive.

Porto voices insist tradition and a coach aligned with the club’s identity can carry them in Europe, while João Sardo savours the idea of a magnificent Atlantic final. From Braga, forecasts range from Bologna to Aston Villa, some even picturing extra-time glory for Niakaté in white.

Source: O Jogo