THE Estadio Jose Alvalade can quite rightly claim to be one of the best venues in Europe and first impressions of the 52,000-seat stadium were breathtaking.

From the outside the green and yellow colour scheme makes it a notable landmark but it's inside where it really comes alive.

Something worth bearing in mind for clubs in England is the way Sporting Lisbon make up for a lack of fans. Last night was far from a full house, yet the multi-coloured seats helped to cover up the empty gaps.

Sporting were one of the main beneficiaries of Euro 2004 being held in Portugal last summer because the Alvalade was completely built from scratch just yards away from the old one.

But where the old Alvalade was a round concrete bowl, built in 1956, their latest home is up there with the best around.

And it's incredible to imagine that this piece of fine Tomas Taveira architecture was built at a small fraction of what is being shelled out for the new Wembley.

It is estimated Wembley will eventually rise to a cost over £757m, while Portugal's seven new stadiums constructed for Euro 2004 cost less than half of that - a staggering £333m.

It's hard to imagine the new home of English football being more than twice as good as the Jose Alvalade.

SPEAKING of breathtaking scenery, Lisbon is full of beautiful views.

The Portuguese capital, at the mouth of the Tagus, displays a stimulating mix of old and new which bridges the gap between an historical past and the future.

Around 2.5m people live in the metropolis and its large boulevards have shopping avenues that are contrasted by picturesque parks and palm trees.

The five-mile walk a group of visiting press enjoyed yesterday allowed us to stroll along the black and white cobbled streets. There was a tranquil feeling around a place that was so busy and vibrant below the towering S. Jorge Castle. Pre-Roman statues flank the main roads through the city centre and many monuments mark different aspects of Portugal's history - including the giant Belem which pays tribute to the country's Age of Discoveries era back in the 15th century.

THE PORTUGUESE are Britain's oldest ally but they also still have very strong links with Brazil, discovered by famous Iberian explorer Vasco da Gama. And they have their very own version of the giant Jesus that overlooks Rio de Janeiro. Across the River Tejo in neighbouring Cacilhas stands at the top of a hill Cristo Rei.

Apparently this religious icon with arms outstretched has major kitsch value and the views of Lisbon and the Ponte De Abril, a major bridge, are quite stunning from the top of the monument.

AFTER mingling with a few Boro fans in the Docas - a string of restaurants and bars on the marina - there was room for a nightcap in the Hotel Altis bar before bed on Wednesday night.

And there was a pleasant surprise in store.

An empty piano suddenly had Boro TV head of production Adam Nolan sitting at it and he provided the best entertainment for well over an hour.

The Beatles, Elton John, you name it he could play it. Fantastic pianist - but leave the singing to someone else Adam. He did steer clear from playing Pig Pag though!