New Euro 2016 pitch in Lille already familiar to Germany (The Associated Press)

If playing on a brand new soccer pitch requires any specific skills, Germany might have an advantage over Slovakia in Sunday's last 16 match at the European Championship. The Dutch company which is replacing the turf at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille on Thursday provided Germany with an identical field at their pre-tournament training camp in Ascona, Switzerland, last month. UEFA called in Hendriks Graszoden to install the new playing surface at Euro 2016's most northern venue after the initial pitch was badly damaged because of non-soccer events before the tournament and unfavorable weather conditions.