After a further 13 years without entry in European competition, Braga came fourth in the 1996–97 Primeira Divisão to enter the 1997–98 UEFA Cup. They met Dutch team Vitesse in the first round, losing 2–1 away in the first leg; Mladen Karoglan got the crucial consolation in the last minute. Two goals from Artur Jorge won the second leg 2–0, putting Braga into the second round where they won 5–0 on aggregate against Dinamo Tbilisi. In the third round, the last 16, Braga held Germany's Schalke 04 to a goalless home draw in the first leg, then lost 2–0 in the second.
