Portugal: FC Porto v Benfica

Liga ZON Sagres, 10th May 2014, Estadio do Dragao
FC Porto 2-1 Benfica

My first ever game on foreign soil. This was a weekend when I particularly wanted to watch a game. The English Championship season had finished the previous weekend, and with Bolton nowhere near playoff contention, it seemed like a good opportunity to go. I looked at some of the fixtures and this one stood out.

Some ugly person, oh wait it's me.

One, I quite like Benfica. Knocking Man Utd out of the Champions League at the group stage in 2005 helped a lot I suppose. Secondly, it was O Classico, one of, if not the biggest fixture in Portuguese football.

This wasn't the biggest clash in the fixture's history, however. On the final weekend of the season, Porto were consigned to third, whatever the result, in what had been a poor season by their standards. They sacked Paulo Fonseca and Julien Lopetegui had just been installed as the new boss. Benfica meanwhile, had already wrapped up their first Liga since 2010, ending a period of Porto dominance, and had the Europa League final to look forward to four days later.

Mosaic in the concourse, which includes the names of all
who attended the first game at the stadium.

With that in mind, Benfica played a weakened team. Porto duly won 2-1. Ricardo Pereira gave the Dragaoes the lead in the fourth minute, before Enzo Perez levelled things for Benfica from the spot. Six minutes before half time, Jackson Martinez scored a penalty of his own, which proved to be he winner.

Although I wanted to go in the away end, I had to settle for the home section. I was sat behind the goal with the Super Dragaoes, one of the ultra groups. I was a bit concerned when I entered the ground and there lots of broken seats.

It was fine though. The Porto fans were loud, and the stood on top of their seats, hence the breaks, but it was just good old enthusiasm. Despite the ground not being full, it was a great atmosphere, even if one fan tried to charge me like a bull when Porto went 2-1 up. Think Zidane on Materazzi, but quite gentle. Then he apologised straight away. In English. Odd.

It's a great ground too, and the day before I did the stadium and museum tours. It's 15 euros in total to do both, the stadium tours take you pitchside, to the presidential suite, the concourses, the away changing room (since legendary manager Jose Pedroto's reign, no-one is allowed in the home room), and all sorts.

Lots of trophies

The museum comes highly recommended from me, with loads to see documenting the club's history. There are loads of things to see with some interactive stuff and understandably, a massive trophy section. It's in both Portuguese and English too, though you should always in my opinion try and learn a bit of the language.

The ground is easily reachable. There is a Estadio do Dragao stop on the Metro, and a shopping centre next to the ground with your usual fast food outlets and some more local food and drink offerings.

It's a lovely city too, with loads of riverside bars, cafes and restaurants, a night spot and great views if you're bringing someone who wants more than football. You also can't go far without being offered a free wine tasting session.

If you need a sports bar, I quie happily recommend the White Hart on Rua do Breyner,walkable from Trindade metro stop. I watched the final day of the Premier League season in there and it was great, with loads of screens, nice staff and comfortable seating. Just what you need really.

NEXT STOP: Flights and hotel booked, off to Copenhagen in July for Bolton's week long tour of Denmark and Sweden. There'll be a blog post about that next month. (Yes, this blog will be a slow burner)

Welcome

Hello everyone, a first post, just an overview of what this will be about.

I always wanted to see a football match abroad and it took me a while to do it. As a Bolton fan I saw my team play in Europe, but I never got to a European away game (a bit too young with no family supporting them) and that is a bit of a regret.

My Swansea ticket, if you really need proof.
A 12 hour round trip from Sheffield where I lived at the time.

Anyway, I went to Portugal to watch O Classico in Porto in May, and I loved the experence and the whole weekend. I wanted more, and came up with the stupid idea of wanting to watch a game in all 54 countries of what football classes as Europe (basically everywhere in UEFA). After mentioning it to a friend the other week, this blog became an idea. And now it's a thing.

Now I'm not after a record, someone has probably managed this already. I'm not after official accreditation off anyone. I've obviously been to quite a few grounds in England. I've watched Bolton play at Swansea (and we were rubbish that day) so England and Wales are already ticked off. Portugal too and I'll blog about that tomorrow.

I will be off to Denmark and Sweden next month as Bolton are there for three pre-season friendlies.

Enjoy.