* European Union executive says tax breaks were illegal
* EU's Almunia - determined to take all necessary steps
* Commission - no sign from Athens that money recovered
(Adds background, detail)
BRUSSELS, Feb 24 (Reuters) - The European Commission is taking Greece to court for failing to recover money given to hundreds of companies through what it labelled illegal tax breaks, the EU executive said on Wednesday.
Under the scheme, companies were given breaks for activities including car manufacturing, mining and fishing but the Commission later ruled the roughly 200 million euros ($272 million) of aid broke European Union rules.
On Wednesday, the EU executive said that Athens had failed to confirm that the tax windfalls given to the companies had been recovered and that it would take Greece to the European Court of Justice.
"The recovery of illegal aid is about restoring a level playing field in the single market," EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said in a statement.
"The Commission is determined to take all necessary steps to ensure that member states comply with their recovery obligations."
(Editing by Ron Askew)