Part 20. Football in Portugal. Portugal is fanatical about football. Under Salazar, the 3 “F's” where Fado, Fatima and Football helped focusthe population's attention into the national sport.
World-known players – Eusebio in the 1960's, then Ronaldo1990/2000's have captured the Portuguese imagination, as well as Jose Mourinho, one of the most successfulteam managers in history.
The Primeria Liga, founded in 1934, features 18 teams, the better known being Benfica (37 wins), Porto (29 wins) and Sporting Lisbon (19 wins). Portugal won the European Championsips in 2006.
As well as the Liga, there are 3 domestic knock-out cup competitions.
Taça de Portugal – knock-out, open to all clubs in top 4 league divisions
Supertaça – between the winnners of Primeria Liga and Taça de Portugal (or Taça runners-up if one team wins the double)
Taça da Liga (League Cup) – knock-out, open only to teams in the top 2 divisions
Read other parts of this series HERE.
