The actual denitrification to N₂O and denitrification capacity to N₂O after flooding of different soil samples stored for over 25 years in air-dry conditions and fresh, air dried samples were compared in our study. Zero N₂O release was observed from the stored soils but the fresh soil samples had very low actual denitrification to N₂O. NO₃^- addition significantly increased the amount of N₂O (denitrification capacity to N₂O) released after flooding, which depended on the length of storage and type of soils and was much higher in stored soils. Prolonged exposure of the soils to drought conditions caused a greater decrease in the Eh value compared with the fresh soil. The total cumulative release of N₂O from the stored and fresh soils was correlated with the reduced NO₃^- and organic C content in soils enriched with NO₃ ^-. Some soils showed the capability of N₂O consumption. CO₂ release depended on the length of storage and type of soils under flooding after prolonged drought. On average, CO₂ release was higher from the stored rather than fresh soils. The organic C content in the stored soils was generally lower than in the fresh soils, probably due to the storage effect. The cumulative CO₂ release from the stored soils was well correlated with the organic C while no correlation was observed for the fresh soil samples.