Euro 2012 focus on Denmark: Early bath likely for not so great Danes

Denmark are rank outsiders in the ‘group of death’, having been paired with European heavyweights Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.

In 1992 they came off the beach ten days before the tournament to replace an errant Yugoslavia team and managed to win the whole thing, having originally failed to qualify.

Now 20 years later and they, along with Greece, are  the most unlikely, unfancied and unbelievable European Champions in history.

They saw off the likes of England, France, Holland and Germany along the way to glory to win 2-0 in the final with goals from Vilfort and Jensen in front of a packed Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.

What made it all the more surprising was that they did it without star players Michael Laudrup and Jan Molby. Oh how they could do with such talents in their 2012 squad.

They have been given a hellish draw, the tournament’s ‘group of death’ versus Holland, Germany and Portugal.

Whilst it is unlikely that they will win any of these games, let alone get out of the group, it is still interesting to look into their squad.

Star Player: Daniel Agger

Defence must be the first priority for them, which is why Daniel Agger looks set to be their most important player. The Liverpool defender had a superb season and has truly become a senior player for both of his teams in red. He will have to marshal the defence with Simon Kjaer, who is also a high quality player.

Rising star: Christian Eriksen

Their up-and-coming star is undoubtedly Christian Eriksen. The Ajax man will be the creative force in their midfield, playing just behind the strikers. He will be hoping that main-forward Nicklas Bendtner can play as well as he talks, because you feel as though there will not be many goal-scoring opportunities, but one worries he is more image than substance.

Utilising their experienced players will also be vital; Christian Poulsen will be anchoring the midfield, the perfect foil for Christian Eriksen, while 115-cap Dennis Rommedahl will be roaming the wings just as he has always done.

He may be heavily experienced, but Rommedahl has not lost much of his pace over the years and can still give any wing-back trouble.

Manager: Morten Olsen

They could not ask for a more knowledgeable, learned manager in Morten Olsen and they will need every inch of that knowledge, as collectively they are very inexperienced, with only 618 caps to their names, 206 of which belong to Poulsen and Rommedahl.

But this will not faze Olsen, who has been in charge of the national side for 12 years now, having made 102 appearances for them in his playing days; a true patriot.

Through the 90s he worked for Brondby, Koln and Ajax before accepting the national job in 2000. He will face a tough task to get any points from this tournament.

Adam Appleton