Celtic v Boavista: Celtic and Boavista bear so great a resemblance to each other that they may prove hard to separate in the semi-final that begins in Glasgow this evening.On TV: Net 2, BBC 2 (Live)
Each has had the benefit of pouncing from the shadows of this tournament.
In the previous round the Scottish champions beat Liverpool while the Portuguese side eventually got the better of Leeds United's conquerors Malaga in a penalty shoot-out.
The Glasgow club were highly relieved not to have been pitted against Lazio or Porto, who are Boavista's more famous rivals in the city of Oporto.
The atmosphere around Martin O'Neill's side has changed. Delirious joy at overcoming Blackburn Rovers, Celta Vigo, Stuttgart and Liverpool has made way for expectation that the club will now advance to the UEFA Cup final in Seville. In its way, the stress is greater than it was against the prestigious clubs.
Celtic smack their lips at the prospect of a first appearance in a European final for 33 years while also knowing there might be no trophies whatsoever this season. O'Neill's squad lacks depth, so he will probably not balk at reintroducing Didier Agathe, whose comeback from a hamstring tear has so far encompassed only 75 minutes with the under-21 side.
Apart from the lack of experienced alternatives, O'Neill has need of the wing-back's pace in a line-up that otherwise leaves no scorch marks on the pitch. As all the sides who have been beaten by them appreciate, though, Celtic's narrow repertoire can be utilised to telling effect.
Liverpool found it almost impossible to make headway at Anfield while Paul Lambert and Neil Lennon sealed off the midfield. The marksmanship of Henrik Larsson is augmented by the telling deliveries from Alan Thompson which are met by John Hartson and other powerful figures.
Boavista are likely to be durable. Like Celtic, Jaime Pacheco's side were knocked out in the Champions League qualifying round. Despite being the underdogs in Oporto they won the Portuguese title two years ago. They held Liverpool to two draws in the Champions League last season and reached the second group stage, where Manchester United beat them.
This season they have turned into a mid-table club in Portugal. Their flair is derived from a clutch of Brazilians and one of them, Elpidio Silva, is particularly dangerous.
Last night they were waiting to hear if UEFA would let them field Erwin Sanchez. After his cruciate injury they did not even register him but now feel they have great need of the Bolivia playmaker, who has recovered ahead of schedule.
