2010 World Cup Preview Group E: Denmark
By Ty Duffy
Country: Denmark
Nickname: Danish Dynamite, The Olsen Gang
Elite Players: NA
Key Players: Thomas Sorenson, Christian Poulsen, Nicklas Bendtner, Daniel Agger, Martin Jørgenson, Dennis Rommedahl, Jon Dahl Tomasson
Rankings: 35 (FIFA), 20 (SPI)
History: Quarterfinals (1998) Knockout Round (1986, 2002)
Odds to Win: 100-1
“Where words fail, music speaks.” – Hans Christian Andersen
Danish soccer is defined by mixed results. The prime example is Euro 1992. They did not qualify, advancing only when Yugoslavia was banned due to international sanctions. Yet, they earned results against England and France to pass through the group stage, they beat a talented Dutch team to make the final, where they bottled defending World Cup Champions Germany 2-0 to win the tournament. Despite being founding members of FIFA, the Danes have only made it to three World Cups, but they have advanced from the Group Stage all three times.
Form: The Danes were the surprising winners from a tough group that included 2006 qualifiers Portugal and Sweden. They won two tense battles with their Scandinavian rivals 1-0. They also scored three goals in the final ten minutes to beat Portugal 3-2 away. Denmark’s defense was firm, allowing only five goals in the ten qualifying matches. However, they did have trouble scoring against better teams. Besides the late splurge against Portugal, the Danes did not score more than one goal in any match against the top four teams.
Their friendly results are inconclusive. They lost 2-1 away to Austria in March. Their previous three were against World Cup opposition at home. They lost 2-1 to Chile, drew 0-0 with South Korea and beat the U.S. 3-1.
Tactics: Denmark plays two formations. Both times against Sweden and against the U.S., they played a 4-3-3. The standard formation during qualifying, especially when Nicklas Bendtner was in the squad, was a 4-2-3-1 with Bendtner leading the line. Martin Olsen has been coach since 2000. The players are unified, cohesive and well-drilled. They play tough defense led in midfield by combative Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen, known as much for kicking and goading players as his midfield command. They have talent going forward, but most of it is over 30. They can be dangerous, but probably not consistently.
Squad: Stoke City goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen dislocated his elbow in April, but avoided surgery and should be ready. He commands a sturdy back four led by Blackburn’s Lars Jacobsen and Liverpool’s Daniel Agger. Palermo’s Simon Kjaer and Aalborg’s Michael Jakobsen should join them.
In a 4-2-3-1 midfield, the aforementioned Christian Poulsen and Jakob Poulsen would be recessed in the holding role. The attacking trio will be 34-year-old Martin Jørgensen, who returned to Denmark after playing 13 years for Udinese and Fiorentina, 33-year-old captian Jon Dahl Tomasson behind the striker and 31-year-old Ajax winger Dennis Rommedahl. Bendtner will play as the lone striker up front.
Conclusion: The Dutch are clear favorites. Japan is weak. Denmark is about on par with Cameroon. The winner of their match probably goes through. The aging Danes can get to the knockout round, but may not have much in the tank to go beyond it, especially with Italy the probable opponents.
Interesting Fact: Danish women have the lowest incidence of obesity in the European Union. Visit Copenagen. It’s what you picture Sweden to be.
Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Group C: England, United States, Slovenia, Algeria
Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Group G: Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal
Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile