Denmark at the World Cup

Denmark

 

Manager:Morten Olsen

Captain: Jon Dahl Tomasson

FIFA World Ranking: 27

World Cup Appearances: 3

Best World Cup: Quarter-Finals – 1998

 

 

 

Profile:

 

The Danes came through what looked a potential tricky Group 1 in the European sector with ease, topping the table above both Portugal & Sweden, both world class international nations. Morten Olsen’s side also achieved qualification with a game to spare and there superb form in qualifying will have raised their credentials and the expectations back home of a big summer in South Africa, possibly emulating their Quarter-Final success of France 1998.

 

The quarter-finals is the furthest the Danes have progressed in a World Cup, mainly because they’ve failed to qualify for the big event on nine occasions. They didn’t make the cut for Germany 2006, much to the dismay of the loyal followers back home, so perhaps the Denmark squad owe their fans with a big performance in this summers showcase. Morten Olsen does have a few players capable of shining on the big stage but the Danish fans should keep their feet firmly on the ground as, despite their steam rolling display in qualifying, they aren’t as well equipped as some other nations.

 

 

 

Manager:

 

Morten Olsen has become a familiar face in international football after nearly a ten year stint at the Danish helm. He took over the reigns back in 2000 but it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the former Denmark international, reaching 102 caps for the Denmark national team as a player. Although the vast majority of his managerial years have been spent managing his native country, he does acquire experience at the helms of your average club. Brondby, FC Koln & Ajax are all clubs Olsen has managed during his managerial career but it does appear he has found home in his current role as Denmark manager.

 

Morten Olsen did win several honours as a manager, including two Danish league titles & a Dutch league success with Ajax. However, he was sacked at his three of his previous managerial posts and some were surprised to see his name still associated with the National side after they failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He came back with aplomb though and has now achieved arguably his greatest achievement as manager, guiding his own country to a World Cup, albeit at his second attempt.

 

 

 

Key Players:

 

 

Jon Dahl Tomasson –

 

Tomasson may have been around the block at club level but his been a consistent performer for his country, playing in no less than 107 first team internationals for Denmark. With this, Tomasson brings added experience to the fort and manager Morton Olsen obviously felt this was key as Jon Dahl Tomasson was handed the captain armsband and will do so into the finals itself in which it could be Tomasson last World Cup as the former Feyenoord great will be close to 34 years-of-age when the tournament comes a calling next summer.

 

The Danish captains best attributes are his off the ball movement and his predator like finishing. If the opposition presents Jon Dahl with an opportunity to find the back of the net then more times then not Tomasson will comply. He has scored 51 goals at international level making him the second highest goalscorer for Denmark in their history.

 

 

 

Nicklas Bendtner –

 

One of the younger players in the squad but also seen as the promising starlet in the group, Arsenal’s Nicklas Bendtner. The 21 year old is extremely ambitious and he will undoubtedly have his eyes set not only putting in a big performance during the forthcoming summer but also doing his utmost in guiding his country to the latter part of the tournament.

 

The Arsenal centre-forward already has 10 goals to his name after 21 appearances for Denmark but could only manager three goals in qualifying. He is averaging a goal every three games so he could do with sharpening up that goalscoring percentage but he is still a kid in some respects, learning his trade game by game. He is quick and sleek on the ball, can take on a player with ease and he a keen eye for the goal. He could be the player of the tournament as far as Denmark are concerned.

 

 

 

Strengths:

 

Their defence is their strongest attribute, conceding just the five goals on route to booking a spot in South Africa. Tomas Sorenson in goal will fill any defence with confidence as he can be a frustrating keeper on his day for the opposing strikers. Both Michael Gravgaard & Daniel Agger are defenders that can stride forward and score, with Gravgaard a nuisance from set-pieces at 6ft 1, while Daniel Agger has unleash a thunderbolt of a shot when he catches it right. Both are not only well equipped at the back but can also aid the forwards when Denmark are possibly chasing a goal or two.

 

 

Weakness:

 

Strength in depth. So many nations simply don’t have talent in numbers and Denmark are another that full under this category. They have very good players in just about every area of the pitch but were they to get stuck by the injury stick then Morten Olsen would have a selection headache as the second eleven isn’t much cop. Also, we aren’t too impressed with their midfield. They are solid enough to handle the small fish but when it comes to competing against the giants, Denmark could well get overrun in the centre of the park.

 

 

 

Qualification:

 

Sector: Europe

Group: 1

Position: 1st

Win-Draw-Lose: 6-3-1

Goals Scored: 16

Goals Conceded: 5

 

 

 

Qualifying statistics:

 

• Denmark lost just a single qualifier on route to securing a place in the finals, that coming in the form of a 1-0 home defeat against Hungary, a game where Denmark were already through and Hungary desperately needed all three points.

• Were it not for defeat to Hungary in the very last qualifier, Denmark would have ended qualifying undefeated in ten qualifiers. However, they did go on a nine match run without defeat beforehand.

• Denmark share the honour of having the second best defensive record in the European sector out of the eight six team groups, conceding just five goals.

• Soren Larsen, a Schalke player, finished qualifying as Denmark’s highest goalscorer with five goals, closely followed by Bendtner with 3.

• Denmark’s disciplinary record during qualifying was merit-able, with the Danes receiving just 14 yellow cards in ten qualifiers, and they didn’t receive a single red card.

 

 

 

World Cup Potential: 2/5

 

 

They have a handful of players that will be big performers in South Africa but they don’t have nearly enough to go all the way or come close to reaching the final. They will, nevertheless, be a dangerous opponent and one many will want to avoid in the groups but, when the last sixteen kicks into action, we expect several wouldn’t mind their chances of going up against Denmark. Reaching the last sixteen would be a worthy achievement for the Danes.

 

 

 

 

Current World Cup Odds: 100/1 SportingBet

World Cup Group E - Table

Rank	Team	Matches / Points
	Netherlands	0 Matches / 0 Points
	Denmark	0 Matches / 0 Points
	Japan	0 Matches / 0 Points
	Cameroon	0 Matches / 0 Points

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