The first semi-final to take place was a Portuguese-English affair between Man Utd and Ipswich Town Elite. Given the league of these two teams with an 11 points difference and a goal difference of +18 compared to -4 during the group phase it was no surprise that Man Utd were strong favourites going into this match.

If Man Utd thought they would have it their own way they were very much mistaken. Ipswich came storming out of the blocks and just as they had done against their previous Portuguese opposition (Chelsea) were the team to take the lead. Carl Sharman scoring in his second successive game to put the English side 1-0 up. The first goal in these encounters often proves crucial in dictating the pattern of play and so it proved in this game. If Man Utd had scored first you felt they would have won at a stroll but conceding first meant they had a real game on their hands.

Man Utd were forced to take the initiative but Ipswich were holding out to preserve their lead in relatively comfortable fashion. As the game drew on and legs become tired, the tide was increasing as United put more and more pressure on the Ipswich goal. The clocks were running down and with a couple of minutes to go Man Utd eventually pulled level with a break down the right and a cross for Celso Rosario to tap home from a couple of yards out – relief and jubilation for the Portuguese.

The game finished 1-1 and we now went into Golden Goal extra time. It was drama all the way as the referee awarded a penalty to Ipswich after a late challenge from Man Utd keeper David Mendonca on Adrian Game. Dean Last stepped up to take the spot kick only to see Mendonca redeem himself by making the save. Moments later at the other end a break from United saw Ipswich goalkeeper Andrew Senior rush off his line but mis-timed his challenge on the United forward just inside the penalty area. A penalty this time to Man Utd but as per the penalty at the other end, the goalkeeper redeemed himself with Andrew Senior making the save to keep Ipswich in the hunt.

The scores remained level at 1-1 and penalties again would be the focus as we entered a penalty shoot-out. Three penalties per team to see who would earn a place in the final. Ipswich would go first with the first penalty of the shoot-out and the third of the game. Sadly for Ipswich , this penalty went the way of the previous two with David Mendonca making the save.

Up stepped Jorge Correira for Man Utd to put the Portuguese 1-0 up. The second Ipswich penalty fared no better meaning a second Portuguese score would seal it for Man Utd. The penalty was duly dispatched and Man Utd booked their place in the final 2-0 on penalties. Ipswich walked off to a hero's reception for pushing their opposition so far. They say things come in threes and with England losing to Portugal on penalties in Euro 2004, World Cup 2006 and now the 2008 Premiership In… Portugal hopefully that will put the curse at an end!