In fact, the Minho derby is considered to be the 4th most popular match among fans across the country, right after the Classics, with the respective cities of Braga and Guimarães excited to watch this always scorching game.
[6] In 1946/47, the competitive framework of Portuguese football was reformulated, ending qualification based on regional championships, and introducing a logic of continuity between editions, and a system of promotions and relegations between divisions.
Since that date, both clubs have only been absent from the First Division for 3 seasons: in 1956/57, from 1961/62 and 1963/64, from 1970/71 to 1974/75 (SC Braga's seasons in the Second Division) and from 1955/56 to 1957/58 and 2006/07 (Vitória's seasons in the second tier).It's worth noting that in 1947, after Braga's victory in Montijo, which earned them promotion to the First Division, the SCB delegation was honored in Famalicão, with Vitória represented by António Faria Martins, who said:“As it was impossible for the caravan accompanying Sporting Clube de Braga to pass through Guimarães, Vitória wanted to join in this very deserved tribute through its illustrious President, Mr. Antero da Silva.”Between 1970 and 1985, Vitória frequently managed to finish the championship among the top 6, while SC Braga managed to do so with some regularity between 1975 and 1985.
However, in the 80s and 90s, Vitória achieved several European qualifications (10 in total) and good campaigns in Europe, even reaching the Quarter Finals of the UEFA Cup in 1987.
In the meantime, they managed to qualify for the Champions League group stage twice, reach the Europa League final and win the Intertoto Cup (the only international trophy won by a Portuguese club that is not part of the so-called big three).
In recent years, SC Braga has therefore become the most stable and best performing club in Minho, also achieving excellent financial returns from the sale of assets, and as a result of good campaigns in UEFA competitions, where it has achieved great results.
On the Guimarães side, and after the departure of the historic leader Pimenta Machado in 2004 (24 years at the Club, leading Vitória to good sporting and financial performances at that time), there have been successive changes in the presidency, and after several seasons with mediocre results at a sporting level, and terrible in the financial chapter, a campaign began under the presidency of Júlio Mendes, with a view to reducing the Club's liabilities (it went from 24 million euros at the end of 2012, to practically 12 million at the end of the 2014/15 season).
Strongly supported by its fans, Pedro Martins' team was defeated in Jamor by National Champion Benfica by 2-1, thus failing to bring the Cup to the Birth City.
However, when it comes to the derby matches in the top divisions of national competitions, they are less frequent, as each institution has chosen to invest in different disciplines while still being able to fight for titles.
SC Braga has invested more heavily in Futsal and Beach Soccer (extinct in 2024), while Vitória SC has invested in Volleyball, Basketball, Water Polo and Handball (reactivated in 2020), which are the most representative sports and also have the most fan support.