EURO 2008
I remember wiping tears of joy from my eyes in New Jerseys Giants Stadium in 1994 after watching Ray Houghton score for the Republic of Ireland to defeat the Italians 1-0 in the World Cup.
We were on cloud nine and thought we were world beaters.
A few short weeks later our boys were on their summer holidays and Italy were in the World Cup Final against Brazil, a clash they lost in a cruel penalty shoot out.
That tournament showed clearly that writing off the Italians is as fool hardy as placing Theo Walcott in your World Cup squad though you know you'd rather play with 10 men than use him!
True neither they nor pre-tournament favourites Germany have set this competition alight yet in the same way Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands have but they have experience on their side and a mental resilience that all the skill in the world can't match.
Last night in Zurich it was Italy who emerged as the second placed team in the group of death putting out France in devastating fashion while Romania were miles off the pace against a second string Dutch side.
Now Roberto Donadoni's World Champions face the gifted Spanish on Sunday in what could well be the best game of the Championships.
They'll have to prepare for the clash without the talented Andrea Pirlo though, the AC Milan midfielder having picked up a second yellow card of the Championships in last nights win over the French.
Meanwhile the spotlight is now firmly off Germany desoite their qualification for the next round of Euro 88.
Chelsea's Michael Ballack ensured their quarter final berth scoring a thunderous free in his side's 1-0 over Austria.
Now Germany face Ronaldo and comapny in a game where Portugal will start as favourites.
Today German coach Joachim Low was banned for tomorrow night's quarter final but that should have a minimal impact on the side.
After their 2-1 defeat to Croatia in their group b clash many though Podolski (pictured right) and his International team mates had blown the chance to win their first European Championship since 1996.
However Germany's record in big International tournaments speaks for itself.
While Portugal's stars say they want to win this tournament for their departing coach Luiz Felipe Scolari such self imposed pressure may also be their downfall.
The latest odds of Euro 2008 are as follows:
Holland 7/2, Spain 4/1, Portugal 9/2, Italy 5/1, Germany 11/2, Croatia 7/1, Turkey 25/1, Sweden 33/1, Russia 40/1.
surely Spain must win.....not like portugal