REMATCH!!!

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Two years ago France and Italy met in the World Cup final. And after quite a fight (head-butting and red cards of the world's best player included), Italy stepped away with the victory, the trophy, and all the bragging rights for the next four years......or so they thought until they landed in the Group of Death in Euro Cup 2008. And now, they've got to fight again. Against France, again. And this time it's for everything and potentially nothing.

The way the Group of Death has developed, with France, Italy, Netherlands, and Romania, the final games could mean quite a bit. The Netherlands won their first two matches (decidedly) and have already won the group with one more day of games to go. They are therefore likely to rest many of their starters and save them for the upcoming quarterfinals. Romania stands in second with 2 points off of two ties. Tomorrow, they will play that Netherlands side--that not-quite-starters starting line-up. If the Romanians win, they'll advance along with the Netherlands.

That leaves the two last place teams, the two World Cup finalists. Undoubtedly the match will be one to watch--passionate and competitive if only due to their last big match-up. And what makes it better? France must win to have any chance to go on to the quarterfinals. Italy stands in precisely the same place. Each team holds only one point going into the match. It's kill or be killed for both teams.

But....regardless of who wins this rematch or if they tie, it's all about Romania. If Romania wins, that's the end of France and Italy.

Could it be that after tomorrow the most recent World Cup finalists will both be knocked out of the Euro Cup in the first round????