Denmark team page
Squad
Coach: Kenneth Heiner-Moller
Roster
Goalkeepers: Heidi Johansen, Susanne Graversen, Tine Cederkvist
Defenders: Bettina Falk Hansen, Christina Orntoft, Dorte Dalum, Gitte Andersen, Katrine Pedersen, Mia Olsen
Midfielders: Line Roddik Hansen, Mariann Gajhede Knudsen, Camilla Sand Andersen, Janne Madsen, Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen, Cathrine Paaske Sorensen, Louise Hansen
Forwards: Johanna Rasmussen, Julie Rydahl Bukh, Maiken Pape, Merete Pedersen, Stine Kjær
Scouting report
Current world ranking: 6th (fourth in UEFA)
Strengths: The middle of the field. Whether it's Merete Pedersen up front, Anne Dot Eggers Nielsen in the midfield, or Katrine Pedersen on fullback, the Danish side is stacked up the centre. All three of these players each have more than 100 caps and at least one World Cup under their belts. Attacking midfielder Cathrine Paaske Sorensen is another key player for the Danes, who have a handful of players with World Cup experience. It's been eight years since Denmark has appeared at the tournament and the squad will be determined to show they belong among the world's top 16. The physically dominant Danes came in second behind the United States at the 2007 Algarve Cup in March.
Weaknesses: The Danes are coming off some poor results leading into the World Cup, which may hurt their confidence. On July 29, Germany ran all over Denmark 4-0, and in early September, Sweden edged the Danes 2-1 in the final World Cup tune-up for both clubs. And those are just recent results (there was also a forgettable 6-0 thrashing at the hands of China at the 2006 Algarve Cup). The Danes are thin on goal scoring with Merete Pedersen (53 goals in 115 games) and Paaske Sorensen carrying the load. Kenneth Heiner-Moller will be one of the youngest coaches at the World Cup. The 35-year-old former pro became Denmark's bench boss in July 2006. Despite some lopsided results, Heiner-Moller isn't worried about his team's confidence levels. "We have never been stronger physically than we are now, and technically we are also at a higher level," he said.
Player to watch: Paaske Sorensen, a nominee for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, has been a bright light for Denmark. Perhaps the smallest player on the tall Danish squad, the five-foot-four creative midfielder has a knack for the net. She led the Danish league in scoring last season and has pocketed 19 goals for the national team in 77 appearances. Paaske Sorensen has excellent ball control and is able to find holes in opposing defences with her penetrating runs. She moulds her game after her favourite player, Pavel Nedved.
Prognosis: Brazil should have this group in hand, so it's up to Denmark to challenge hosts China for that coveted second-place spot in Group D.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Denmark earned its berth to China 2007 by placing first in Group 3 of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2007 qualification (UEFA)
Qualification record: 8 matches played, 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss
Goals for: 22 Goals against: 6
Top goal-scorer in qualifying: Merete Pedersen (10)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group 3): in Europe
Aug. 27, 2005: Poland 1, Denmark 5 in Stadion Miejski, Slupsk
Sept. 25, 2005: Denmark 3, Belgium 0 in Denmark
Nov. 10, 2005: Spain 2, Denmark 2 in Madrid, Spain
March 26, 2006: Belgium 0, Denmark 2 in Ath, Belgium
April 27, 2006: Denmark 5, Spain 0 in Denmark
May 7, 2006: Denmark 3, Poland 1 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Aug. 26, 2006: Finland 2, Denmark 1 in Tampere, Finland
Sept. 27, 2006: Denmark 1, Finland 0 in Denmark
Women's World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12: China vs. Denmark in Wuhan (Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium) at 2000
Sept. 15: Denmark vs. New Zealand in Wuhan (Wuhan Sports Centre Stadium) at 1700
Sept. 19 : Brazil vs. Denmark in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 2000
WOMEN'S WORLD CUP HISTORY
Denmark, one of the tournament's original teams, is back after an eight-year absence. In its last World Cup appearance, the Danes failed to get past the group stage. Previous to that, they made the quarter-finals in both 1991 and 1995.
Number of previous Women's World Cup appearances: 3
Hosted the Women's World Cup: never
1991: Quarter-finals
1995: Quarter-finals
1999: First round
2003: Did not qualify
