Tomasson - key striker (Allsport)
THE DANES IN ENGLAND'S PATH
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Denmark will face England in the second round of the World Cup as surprise
Group A winners ahead of both France and Senegal.
After Denmark's disappointing Euro 2000 performance - where they finished
without a win or a goal - coach Morten Olsen was charged with bringing about the
national team's recovery.
He has built an industrious, effective unit, whose style combated France's
creativity to secure a 2-0 win on Monday which left them as group winners and
dumped the champions out.
Feeding from the engine room in midfield is AC Milan-bound striker Jon Dahl
Tomasson, of Feyenoord, who is in the running for the golden boot after scoring
four times in the opening three matches, the prolific Ebbe Sand and the creative
spark of Dennis Rommedahl.
Olsen has been known to alter his formation with respect to the opposition but
here PA Sport gives the lowdown on Denmark's likely starting XI for the second
round clash with England on Saturday.
Thomas Sorensen (Goalkeeper): Has replaced Peter Schmeichel as Denmark's
number one and risen to the challenge of filling his legendary shoes. The
transition has been seamless, despite coming into the his first major tournament
having won just 15 caps and he has shown the form on the world stage that
Sunderland fans have seen for the last four years.
Thomas Helveg (Right-back): A championship winner with AC Milan, Helveg is a
seasoned professional and the talisman of the Danish side. Can be employed at
centre-half and has also played right midfield for Milan. His touch can craft
openings for his own side just as he can read the game to close them for
opponents.
Rene Henriksen (Centre-back): A relative late-comer to the international
scene, Henriksen can read the game superbly from defence and is comfortable on
the ball. Has a presence in the air which may will test David Beckham's ability
to deliver pinpoint crosses.
Martin Laursen (Centre-back): One of the rising stars of Danish football, the
AC Milan centre-back is quick and uncompromising, strong in the air and commands
his defence. A rock at the back, Laursen poses aerial threats from set-pieces.
Niclas Jensen (Right-back): The Manchester City defender is likely to get the
nod over veteran Jan Heintze to marshal Beckham. Has started two of Denmark's
three games and can push forward to play a more advanced role, which could leave
the England captain on the back foot.
Dennis Rommedahl (Right midfield): Arguably the quickest player in this year's
World Cup, Rommedahl is an automatic choice for Morten Olsen. Scored against
France at the far post after a late run into the box and his skill and trickery
down the right will cause England problems.
Thomas Gravesen (Centre midfield): One half of the Danish engine room in
midfield, Gravesen is a tough and uncompromising midfielder. Known for his fiery
temperament, the Everton man provides the foil to allow Rommedahl and Martin
Jorgensen to escape forward.
Stig Tofting (Centre midfield): A grafter and a scrapper, Tofting combines
with Gravesen to boss the midfield. with shaven head and bodybuilder features
the former Hells Angel will hunt down any loose ball and will give Nicky Butt a
tough encounter in the middle.
Martin Jorgensen (Left midfield): If he gets the nod ahead of Chelsea's Jesper
Gronkjaer, as he has for most of the tournament, Jorgensen will provide
Denmark's creativity down the left. His international scoring record is not
great with just four in 35 games.
Jon Dahl Tomasson (Striker): Will look to remind Newcastle fans of what they
are missing after they offloaded him following just 23 games. Went on to enjoy
four good years with Feyenoord before sealing a move to AC Milan and is in the
running for the golden boot after scoring four goals in the group stages.
Ebbe Sand (Striker): Sacrificed for the victory over France to allow Denmark
to man-mark Zinedine Zidane, the FC Shalke forward will be a major threat to
England. He was the most prolific striker in the UEFA qualifying zone, scoring
nine goals in 10 games. Will play slightly more advanced than Tomasson.
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