Porto were still in a state of euphoria on Thursday after winning the European Cup for the second time with a 3-0 victory over Monaco that will live long in the memory of their fans.
The Portuguese champions will have to face up to reality soon enough, however, with inspirational coach Jose Mourinho and many of the club's best players set to leave before the start of the new season.
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"The important thing now is to celebrate and then start to plan the conquest of new trophies, starting with the Super Cup against Valencia."
Porto have every right to enjoy their moment of glory but they will face a far harder task when they begin next season without the architect of their success.
Mourinho said after the game that he was anxious to take up a coaching job in England, presumably at Chelsea.
The handsome 41-year-old turned Porto into European champions thanks to his eye for a bargain in the transfer market, meticulous planning ahead of matches and sheer force of personality.
ERA ENDS
It is possible that his replacement, whoever he is, will prove to be just as successful but the coach's post-match comments seemed almost to admit that it was the end of an era for Porto as well as himself.
"I told the players before the game that they had better finish the match with a good memory of it," Mourinho said.
"We'll never forget this day. We made history for Porto, so let me enjoy the moment."
Porto are renowned as the best-run club in Portugal, with a popular and successful president in Jorge Pinto da Costa.
But after spending 125 million euros ($152.1 million) on their new Dragao stadium the club will be in no position to turn down big offers for their best players.
Bayern Munich have reportedly made a bid for Deco Souza, scorer of the second goal against Monaco, and the Brazilian-born Portuguese international also seemed ready to leave.
"It will be very hard to go but we'll have to see the situation in the coming days," Deco said.
Ricardo Carvalho, who had an immense game at centre-back, Brazilian teenager Carlos Alberto, who set Porto on their way with a brilliant opening strike, and fast-improving midfielder Maniche Ribeiro will also be on the wish lists of many clubs.
"It's going to be hard to do better than this," captain Jorge Costa acknowledged after the game. "There'll be time to think about next season but now is the moment to celebrate."
Porto fans will still be celebrating when their ground stages Portugal against Greece in the opening match at Euro 2004 in a little over two weeks.
Whether they have as much to cheer about next season is another matter entirely.
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