Arsenalistas gunning for favourites Porto in Dublin

Braga finished a whopping 38 points behind their opponents in the league, but the huge distance between the two is because of Porto's dream season rather than any poor play on the part of the Arsenalistas.

Andre Villas-Boas has led the Dragons through an exemplary campaign that saw them clinch their 25th league title unbeaten with five matches to spare.

Two of the 27 victories they racked up came against Braga, leading bookmakers to make Domingos Paciencia's side 7-1 outsiders for the clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Braga have earned their place in the final, however, negotiating a tricky path that included knockout victories over Benfica, Liverpool and Dynamo Kiev.

They have the added incentive of going for their first major trophy since 1966 and Lima is determined not to let the opportunity pass without a fight.

"We can surprise Porto, there is no doubt about that," he said.

"I hope we can have the same performance as we had against Dynamo, Benfica and Liverpool. We need a performance like that and I'm sure that will happen."

Braga's credentials for mixing it with Europe's biggest teams were underlined when they claimed the prize scalps of Sevilla and Celtic to make the Champions League group stages in their first season in Europe's biggest club competition.

They then bounced back from a 6-0 humbling at Arsenal in the Champions League group stages to beat the Gunners at home before being edged into third place, meaning they dropped into the Europa League.

The final will be an emotional encounter for Braga boss Paciencia for two reasons. Firstly, the 42-year-old enjoyed 12 years of his playing career at Porto, and secondly because it his last game in charge having announced his intention to leave last week.

The former striker is expected to join Sporting Lisbon. "Regardless of what I do in the future, this club will be in my heart forever," he said.