Round 2 …. Fight!: The Biggest Rematches of Euro 2008

For some teams, Euro 2008 will be more than a chance to shine on one of the biggest international stages. It will also be a chance for revenge. For some, like France and Italy, there are rivalries going back as far as either can remember. For others, there are fresh wounds still unhealed from recent tournaments.

After the bump, the five biggest rematches of the Euro 2008 group stage. And yes, I know, the later rounds could produce classic rematches like another Portugal-Greece, but we’re going here with what we already know.

1. Duh. France v. Italy ( Group C, June 17th )
As if these two sides needed anything else to stoke up their rivalry, the World Cup finalists (who also fought out the final of Euro 2000) met twice in qualifying, resulting in a scoreless draw in Italy and a French win in Paris. And here they are again, in the same group, the so-called Group of Death. This will be the final match in the group, and might well decide if one of these powerhouses will be booking an early summer holiday.

2. Germany v. Poland (Group B, June 8th)
The Poles and Germans also met in the 2006 World Cup, in the second round of Group A. Oliver Neuville’s injury-time strike that sealed the 1-0 win for Germany will not have been forgotten by Polish players or fans, and they’ll have their chance for revenge on this tournament’s opening weekend, this time on neutral ground.

3. Spain v. Greece ( Group D, June 18th )
When Greece and Spain next take the pitch, it will be four years and two days since their Group A meeting at Euro 2004, and the 1-1 draw that sent Spain home early. Angelos Charisteas may be best known for his tournament winner in the final against Portugal, but his 66th minute goal against Spain was the one that arguably took out the Spanish and let Greece into the quarterfinals on goal difference.

4. Portugal v. Turkey ( Group A, June 7th )
In Euro 2000, Turkey had made a great run, beating Belgium and drawing with Sweden to move on from Group B, before they ran into a wall against Portugal in the quarterfinals. Two goals from Nuno Gomes put them away 2-0, and the Turks will know they need some sort of result against Portugal on opening day to have hope of advancing out of Group A.

(4.5 – Turkey v. Switzerland – see comments)

5. Netherlands v. Italy ( Group C, June 9th )
The Oranje followed up their semifinal run in the 1998 World Cup with a great push at Euro 2000 as well, but the semis were once again the end of the road for the Dutch. After a scoreless draw with 10-man Italy in which they missed two penalties, the last thing the Dutch wanted was a shootout, but that’s what they got. Of their four spot kicks, only tournament top scorer Patrick Kluivert buried his, and the Italians won 3-1 on pens.

Have you got a favorite in any of these matches? Make sure to get your predictor bracket in before the first kickoff on Saturday.