9pm 10 November 2019
Portugal, Primeira Liga
Boavista 0 Porto 1 (att 16,514)
The final game of our Portuguese groundhop looked like being the best, and the Porto derby was the only fixture we'd sorted tickets for before arriving in the country.
Whereas tickets for other Primeira Liga games had cost around 10eu each - slightly more at Paços Ferreira and we were given complimentary tickets at Aves - it cost us 55eu to get into the Estádio do Bessa.
That didn't meant the stadium was full, or even close to it, but probably reflected Boavista's efforts to make sure fans of their cross-city rivals didn't infiltrate areas of the stadium where they shouldn't be. Neighbours in our 'executive seats' were mostly Porto fans, but anyone paying that much for a ticket is unlikely to cause trouble.
It wasn't the best of games, settled by an excellent ninth minute strike for the visitors, but the atmosphere created by the massed ranks of Porto fans behind the goal more than made up for the limited goalmouth action.
Constant rhythmic singing, backed by drums, spurred Porto on, while flags, flares and fireworks were all used to memorable effect. Boavista's most vocal fans were outnumbered, but added to the atmosphere.
The stadium is close to Porto city centre and a great place to watch a game. It's hemmed in on all four sides, and steep stands mean spectators are close to the pitch and the considerable noise supplied by Porto's supporters was amplified.
Portugal, Primeira Liga
Boavista 0 Porto 1 (att 16,514)
The final game of our Portuguese groundhop looked like being the best, and the Porto derby was the only fixture we'd sorted tickets for before arriving in the country.
Whereas tickets for other Primeira Liga games had cost around 10eu each - slightly more at Paços Ferreira and we were given complimentary tickets at Aves - it cost us 55eu to get into the Estádio do Bessa.
That didn't meant the stadium was full, or even close to it, but probably reflected Boavista's efforts to make sure fans of their cross-city rivals didn't infiltrate areas of the stadium where they shouldn't be. Neighbours in our 'executive seats' were mostly Porto fans, but anyone paying that much for a ticket is unlikely to cause trouble.
It wasn't the best of games, settled by an excellent ninth minute strike for the visitors, but the atmosphere created by the massed ranks of Porto fans behind the goal more than made up for the limited goalmouth action.
Constant rhythmic singing, backed by drums, spurred Porto on, while flags, flares and fireworks were all used to memorable effect. Boavista's most vocal fans were outnumbered, but added to the atmosphere.
The stadium is close to Porto city centre and a great place to watch a game. It's hemmed in on all four sides, and steep stands mean spectators are close to the pitch and the considerable noise supplied by Porto's supporters was amplified.
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