Head Coach: Morten Olsen

» Thomas Soerensen G
» Peter Kjaer G
» Jesper Christiansen G
» Jan Heintze D
» Rene Henriksen D
» Martin Laursen D
» Thomas Helveg D
» Niclas Jensen D
» Kasper Bogelund D
» Steven Lustu D
» Thomas Gravesen M
» Stig Torfting M
» Claus Jensen M
» Brian Steen Nielsen M
» Jan Michaelsen M
» Christian Poulsen M
» Ebbe Sand F
» Jon Dahl Tomasson F
» Jesper Gronkjaer F
» Martin Joergensen F
» Dennis Rommedahl F
» Peter Madsen F
» Peter Lovenkrands

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Ebbe Sand: A star striker in the German Bundesliga, Sand is a well-rounded player who makes intelligent decisions on the pitch. He's very good with his head, reads the game very well and has great pace. Sand excels at beating defenders and running into open space to get into scoring position.

Martin Jorgensen: One of the few creative players for Denmark, Jorgensen is dangerous when making his trademark runs to the inside from the wing. Jorgensen is a brilliant ball dribbler, noted for zigzagging past midfielders and defenders in tight space.

Martin Laursen: Laursen, 24, has quickly matured while playing for AC Milan in Italy this past season. He is a strong central defender with good technical skills and is an excellent tackler, using his physical size to his advantage.

Michael Laudrup: Laudrup had a brilliant career in the 1980s, highlighted by stints with Juventus, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Ajax. Regarded as one of the most gifted players of his era, Laudrup currently acts as an assistant to Danish head coach Morten Olsen.

Peter Schmeichel: Schmeichel was a legendary goalkeeper and a key figure in Manchester United's dynasty years of the 1990s. Schmeichel was renowned for his athleticism and making miraculous saves in penalty shot situations.

Scouting Report

Style of play: Denmark plays a very deliberate brand of soccer, relying on its pace and technical skill in midfield to create scoring chances. Coach Morten Olsen favours a 4-4-1-1 formation, with the attack driven by one striker and a deep-lying forward. The deep-lying forward is responsible for distributing the ball and serves as the creative link between the striker and midfield. The four midfielders routinely drop back for defensive duty. A disciplined side that works cohesively as a team, Denmark combines goal-scoring prowess with solid flat-back four defence. Denmark also uses its speed on the wings to penetrate deep into their opponents half of the field before crossing the ball into the penalty-area for the striker to collect.

Strengths:
Offensive Speed -- Winger Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer use their great speed to make blinding runs down the flanks and provide dangerous passes into the penalty area for the equally swift Ebbe Sand.
Goal scoring -- Ebbe Sand has become one of Europe's elite strikers over the past two years while playing for German club Schalke 04. John Dahl Tomasson plays just behind him in a deep-lying forward position, but is renowned for coming forward and striking once he gets the goal in his sights. Dennis Rommedahl and Jesper Gronkjaer also chip in with the odd goal.
Defence -- Denmark gave up a scant six goals in World Cup qualifying, providing just a preview of what to expect in Japan and South Korea. Denmark plays with a flat-back four supported by defensive midfielders who drop back to track opposing forwards.

Weaknesses:
Goalkeeping -- Former national legend Peter Schmeichel has retired from international competition, leaving new first team keeper Thomas Sorensen with some very big shoes to fill. Sorensen had a strong campaign in England this past season with Sunderland, but he is largely untested in international competition.
No team leaders -- With the retirement of Peter Schmeichel, Denmark lacks a definitive leader on the pitch. Jan Heintze is a Danish veteran with over 80 caps and could fulfill that role, but at age 38, he isn't expected to be a starter, and will see limited action.
Confidence -- Despite breezing through World Cup qualifying, Denmark is still haunted by its horrendous performance at Euro 2000 when it bowed out of the group stage with three losses, and without even scoring a goal.

Key injuries/omissions: Midfielders Brian Steen Nielsen (back) and Claus Jensen (thigh and groin) are hurting and may not be fully fit when the tournament starts…. Midfielder Martin Jorgensen has a slight thigh injury and may be unable to play in Denmark's opening match against Uruguay on June 1…. Stig Torfting, Ebbe Sand and Martin Laursen are battling minor injuries, but they aren't expected to miss any action….

Outlook: After crashing out of Euro 2000 in the opening group stage, Denmark will be looking to redeem itself on soccer's greatest stage. The Danes looked very strong in qualifying, going undefeated with six wins and four draws, and conceding a mere six goals. Coach Martin Olsen's side is comprised of a crop of experienced veterans who play in Europe's top leagues, enabling him to field a very competitive side. Denmark will easily dispose of Senegal and should earn a win against Uruguay. Defeating France, on the other hand, doesn't seem likely. Denmark should finish second in Group A and advance to the second round. Beyond that, a birth in the quarter-finals is unlikely as a potential match with Argentina or England awaits them in the second round.

The Country

Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany

Capital: Copenhagen

Area: 43,094 sq km

Population: 5,336,394 (July 2000 est.)

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Ethnic groups: Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 97%, other Protestant and Roman Catholic minorities

Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language

History: Denmark has evolved from a stomping ground of Viking raiders into a modern nation that is prospering from its active participation in the political and economic integration of Europe. However, Denmark has decided to not take part in some aspects of European integration, including the new common monetary system.

Bob Lenarduzzi

Uruguay and Senegal are capable teams, but if France and Denmark play to their maximum potential, I think they will get through.

France, I believe, will look at the first round as "just get through it." If they're in top form, I don't think [Zidane's absence] will be an issue for them. Zidane's situation is one where they'll want to make sure he's healthy, and if he needs another game before he plays, I think they'll do that. They certainly have enough depth to get through. The fact that they are the reigning champions, the fact that they're Euro champions…the core of the squad is there. They seem to have a swagger about them. They're not posturing. Their coach has gone on record and said they should win it.

I don't think Zidane's absence hurts them because they have more than enough depth to get through the first round. If he's not available beyond the first round, then I think it will be an issue.

Prediction: 1) France 2) Denmark


Jason de Vos

I don't see France being troubled by any of these teams, although I think the first game against Senegal (CBC, May 31, 7 am ET) is a bit of a banana skin, because they are expected to win that game comfortably, and for Senegal, it's like a World Cup final to them.

All of Senegal's players, except for a few, play in the French first division, so they know all about France. I don't think the Zidane injury will be a big issue in the first round, because if you look at the players they can call on in reserve, they have phenomenal depth. I think France will get through comfortably.

Denmark is not a spectacular team - they don't have any superstars - but they are a very workmanlike team and they will be very fit. They'll defend quite well, and they have a good goalkeeper in [Thomas] Sorensen, so I think they have enough to get through in second place.

Uruguay did quite well in qualifying to get through, but they struggle in front of the goal. Apart from Dario Silva, they could struggle to get goals. They're strong defensively, but to get through I think they're going to need to win at least one, possibly two games.

Prediction: 1) France; 2) Denmark

Federation founded: 1889 FIFA member since: 1904

Current FIFA Ranking: #20

First round matches:
June 1 vs. Uruguay in Ulsan
June 6 vs. Senegal in Daegu
June 11 vs. France in Incheon

2002 qualification route: Denmark finished in first place in Europe Group 3 ahead of the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

Record in qualifying: 6 wins, 4 draws, 0 losses
Goals for: 22 Goals against: 6

Qualifying Results:
Iceland 1 Denmark 2
N. Ireland 1 Denmark 1
Denmark 1 Bulgaria 1
Malta 0 Denmark 5
Cz. Republic 0 Denmark 0
Denmark 2 Cz. Republic 1
Denmark 2 Malta 1
Denmark 1 N. Ireland 1
Bulgaria 0 Denmark 2
Denmark 6 Iceland 0

Previous World Cup Appearances: 2

All-time record: 9 GP -- 5 W, 1 D, 3 L Goals for: 19 Goals against: 13

World Cup History:
1930-54 - Did not enter
1958 - Did not qualify
1962 - Did not enter
1966-82 - Did not qualify
1986 - Second round
1990 - Did not qualify
1994 - Did not qualify
1998 - Quarter-finals

Biggest victory: 6-1 vs Uruguay in 1986.
Biggest defeat: 1-5 vs Spain in 1986.
Overall top scorer: Preben Elkjær-Larsen, four goals.
Most appearances: Michael Laudrup, nine matches.
Best result: Quarter-finalist, 1998 in France

Other achievements:
European Champions: 1992 in Sweden
European Championship Semifinalists: 1964 in Spain, 1984 in France
Olympic Runners-up: 1908, 1912, 1960