Usually when two teams remain standing in a European competition, the final is played at a neutral site, with neither team having a distinct advantage because of the crowd. This time around, however, it is different. Sporting Lisbon has the benefit of playing this season's UEFA Cup final at home at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. It is only a coincidence that the match against CSKA Moscow is in Lisbon, a fortunate coincidence for Sporting. But CSKA is a strong side with plenty of experienced talent. Brazilians Vagner Love and Daniel Carvalho lead the offense, and Russian internationals flood the rest of the roster. "We respect our opponents and we know they are the home side," CSKA coach Valery Gazzaev told UEFA.com. "However, our players can match theirs in terms of ambition, and a final is a final where anything can happen." CSKA is looking to become the first Russian team to achieve European glory. Sporting, meanwhile, has not won a European competition in 41 years, when it captured the Cup Winners' Cup in 1964. Portuguese teams, however, have had success over the past few years. FC Porto won the UEFA Cup in 2003 and the Champions League in 2004. Plus, Portugal advanced to the final of Euro 2004 on its home turf last summer. "We are proud to fly the Portuguese flag in a major European final," Sporting coach said Jose Peseiro said. "It is wonderful we have the chance to continue the tradition started by [FC] Porto and the national team. "It shows we have the coaches, the players and the infrastructure to compete at the highest level." While Sporting's roster is comprised mostly with Portuguese players, its top scorer Leidson is also Brazilian. The dangerous forward already has seven goals in the competition. Sporting's semifinal victory came in dramatic fashion against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar. But it is coming off a domestic SuperLiga defeat to rival Benfica over the weekend, a loss that severely damaged the club's chances of capturing the title. CSKA, which entered the UEFA Cup following a third-place finish in its Champions League group, is looking to become the second straight team to capture the UEFA Cup trophy using this route. Valencia did the same last season. The Russian club has already played twice in Portugal during its lengthy European campaign. Both times, against Benfica and FC Porto, CSKA earned a draw. This time, however, they know it will need to do even better if they want to lift some silverware over their heads. "I don't think I need to come out with words of motivation. Everyone understands it's not every year we get to play a game like this," CSKA captain Sergei Ignashevich said. "I think even the coaches shouldn't say anything special. Every player realizes what is at stake."