World Cup Watch: Denmark
Denmark
With just 13 days until the FIFA 2010 World Cup South Africa kicks-off, SI Online shines the spotlight on the 32 teams vying for soccer supremacy. Next under review are the Danes.
Profile: The ‘Olsen Gang’ excelled themselves during their World Cup qualifying campaign. They finished top ahead of the far more fancied Portugal and Sweden, losing just once. There is a solid spine of key players running through this team. They are defensively well organised, but at the same time can find the net. They may not have a glittering line-up of stars, but what they do have is a fine team work ethic. This is Denmark’s fourth Finals appearance.
FIFA World ranking: 35
Their group: Denmark share Group E with Netherlands, Japan and Cameroon. Denmark is likely to battle Japan and Cameroon for second place.
Opening match: The Scandinavians kick off their campaign against the Netherlands at Soccer City on June 14.
Star man: Marksman Nicklas Bendtner still needs time to mature, but he does possess the key ingredients to develop into a top class striker. The Arsenal goal poacher has not been that prolific at club level, but is always a threat when lining up for his nation. Bendtner, 22, is blessed with height, technique and plenty of self-confidence. However, he is still anxious at times in the final third and will be hoping to iron out these chinks in his armour over the next two months. He has represented Denmark at every age group level and is the current Danish Player of the Year.
One to watch: 21-year-old Palermo star, Simon Kjaer, is an exciting prospect. The young defender is a strapping presence at 1.89m and commands the back four. The blonde centre back injured his knee against Senegal this week, but has been included in the final squad. He will undergo further scans. If fit for the finals, he will be keen to prove his worth on the world stage. A number of Europe’s top clubs are chasing his signature, and the young Dane will know that a strong WC showing will earn him a lucrative new deal. He is just nine games into his international career, but will be one of the first names on the teamsheet – should he prove his fitness.
The coach: The bespectacled Morten Olsen is a respected figure within Scandinavian football. The 60-year-old won more than a century of caps for Denmark during his playing days as a rock solid midfielder and part-time defender. He carried that hard edge on with him as manager and has been in the post since 2000. He had a brief spell with Ajax Amsterdam in Holland and FC Köln in Germany, but has tasted the most success at international level. He has helped gel the current side into a well-oiled unit. He oversaw Denmark’s 2002 World Cup campaign.
Most capped current player and top goalscorer: Jon Dahl Tomasson (51 goals in 108 games)
Final 23-man World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Thomas Sorensen, Stefan Andersen, Jesper Christiansen.
Defenders: Daniel Agger, Simon Kjaer, Per Kroeldrup, Lars Jacobsen, Simon Busk Poulsen, William Kvist Joergensen, Patrick Mtiliga.
Midfielders: Daniel Jensen, Christian Poulsen, Christian Eriksen, Jakob Poulsen, Martin Joergensen, Mikkel Beckmann, Thomas Enevoldsen, Thomas Kahlenberg, Dennis Rommedahl, Jesper Groenkjaer.
Forwards: Jon Dahl Tomasson, Nicklas Bendtner, Soren Larsen.
SI World Cup prediction: Round of 16 exit.
By Grant Shub
See Greece, New Zealand, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Chile, Australia, Argentina, France, Spain, South Africa
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