The Road to South Africa

Bluntly Denmark were expected to finish third in Group One, behind Portugal and Sweden, a prediction that looked in trouble the moment Denmark scored three times in the final four minutes to overcome Portugal in the Jose Alvalade Stadium in their second qualifying game. The Danes were at their most impressive in the biggest games, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the return fixture in Copenhagen and, critically, beating Sweden home and away by the same 1-0 scoreline. The headline in more than one Danish newspaper when they qualified after beating Sweden in the Parken Stadium was that Hans Christian Andersen couldn’t have written a better fairy tale.

The Star Players

Thomas Sorensen (Stoke) A worthy successor to Peter Schmeichel and renowned in the Premier League as one of the most consistent savers of a penalty in the game. Sorensen enjoyed highly successful times at both Sunderland and Aston Villa until he fell out of favour with manager, Martin O’Neill, and moved to Stoke.

Daniel Agger (Liverpool) At the age of 20, he was good enough to tame Wayne Rooney as England were torn apart 4-1 in Copenhagen and but for constant injury, Agger would have proved that he was the best defender Denmark has produced. Given that he has a powerful shot, his tally of international goals is disappointing.

Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen) Perhaps no goal was more crucial to Denmark’s chances of qualification that the stoppage-time winner that Jensen scored in Lisbon to give the Danes a dramatic 3-2 win over Portugal. His career in midfield has flourished at Werder Bremen and he possesses the experience and solidity Morten Olsen’s side require.

The Coach

Morten Olsen Since making his debut at under-21 level in 1970, Olsen has been involved with Danish football for 40 years. His successes as a manager have not quite matched those as captain of the national side, which he led to the semi-finals of the 1984 European Championship and a brief but thrilling participation in the 1986 World Cup. After managing Brondby and Ajax to the Danish and Dutch titles respectively, Olsen took over the national team in 2000. Getting them to this World Cup from such an unforgiving group might count as his greatest achievement. Whether he can take Denmark beyond the group stage, something succeeded in doing in 2002 but not in Euro 2004, is a big question.

Honours

World Cup: Quarter-finalists 1998. Round of 16 1986, 2002.
European Championship: Winners 1992. Semi-finalists 1984.

Analysis

For a nation whose highest point is a mere 173 metres above sea level having to play every group game at altitude is an obvious disadvantage, not least when they meet Cameroon in the critical second game in Pretoria. However, providing they can acclimatise, there is a route out of Group E. If Holland dominate, four points might be enough with three coming from Japan and one from Cameroon and if they can open with a draw against the Dutch, so much the better. Given that the winners of Group E are likely to meet Brazil in the quarters, finishing second might even be an advantage, especially if Paraguay can pip Italy to finish first in Group F.

Verdict

Squad (3/5)
Very well balanced team, who against Portugal and Sweden proved they could keep their nerve when it matters.

Coach: (3.5/5)
Olsen knows his players and Danish football intimately and his experience will be invaluable in a difficult group.

Strikers: (3/5)
This is a group that may be decided by goal difference and much may depend on Bendtner’s form. If he is scoring goals in the way he did for Arsenal in the last third of the season, then Denmark have a vital edge.

Defence (3.5/5)
It may the small things that decide how far Denmark progress and in Sorensen they possess one of the best savers of a penalty in world football. A back four anchored around Agger is also a formidable proposition.