Portugal, starved of success on the international stage, are desperate for redemption. Redemption for 2004. Redemption for their shocking defeat to Greece in the final, on home soil. Redemption for a loss the national team has yet to recover from. Redemption for every painstaking minute of that match. Redemption for a final they had stolen out from under them. Sweet, sweet redemption.
The motivation – incentive, craving, want – backing both teams is equally unquenchable, but derives from varying historical backdrops. Portugal continue their trenchant search for a first major trophy, while France look to reignite a dynasty that saw them dominate the international level leading up to the turn of the century.