Four years after the team from landlocked Switzerland humiliated New Zealand 5-0 at its home in Auckland, the two teams will stage a rematch for the oldest trophy in international sport. Emirates Team New Zealand earned the chance by completing an identical sweep of Italy's Luna Rossa in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals on Wednesday.

"You could call it a rematch or you could just say these are the two best teams left in the cup," Brad Butterworth, the New Zealander who skippers Alinghi, said today.

It could also be seen as a clash between sailing cultures.

America's Cup racing that starts in this Spanish port on June 23 will pit a heavily sponsored Swiss team, with a sailing crew from a dozen nations, against a predominantly Kiwi crew who often bemoan their low budget and for whom sailing is a national passion.

This is also the first time a European team will defend the Cup since 1851, when the British watched New York schooner America sail off with its namesake prize after winning the first regatta along Britain's coast.

The Alinghi win in 2003 still rankles with New Zealand.

"It was a terrible loss for the country and the nice thing for us is being able to turn that round," said Dean Barker, the Kiwi helmsman.

New Zealand had to battle 10 other teams in the series of challenger races that started in 2004.

Some teams, including first-time entries from China and South Africa, could only dream of reaching the Cup. Others, such as U.S. entry BMW Oracle, had the funds and sailing talent to become the pre-final favorites.

But Luna Rossa handed BMW Oracle a shocking 5-1 trouncing in the semifinals, only to be subjected to five straight losses in the Louis Vuitton finals — a first in the event's 24-year history — against New Zealand.

"Everybody was stunned," said Mark Newbrook, an American winch grinder aboard Alinghi.

Teams are secretive about their budgets, and everything else. Alinghi is called one of the best-funded teams. The New Zealanders complain of their tighter budget.

Barker said his team focuses all resources on going faster.

Of the Kiwi's 28 regular sailing crew, 23 — or 82 percent — are from New Zealand. Alinghi's 34-member team has top sailors recruited from a dozen nations.

Ian Burns, a designer with BMW Oracle, said the Kiwis' style could cause them to make more mistakes if under pressure, or truly excel if things start off well.

"Alinghi is a lot more methodical and keeps the same game face, no matter what happens," Burns said.

The Cup, which began as "friendly competition between nations," has become increasingly globalized, with corporate sponsors offering financial backing that allows teams to recruit top names from around the world, much like elite soccer or hockey teams.

Some, like Newbrook, say that advances the sport of sailing, and that Alinghi's showdown with New Zealand "could decide the future of the Cup."

He said a high level of corporate sponsorship will continue if the Cup stays in Europe, while a New Zealand win could return the teams to the days of rich sailing enthusiasts running the show.