Rommedahl - wing wonder (Allsport).
DENMARK'S DANGERMEN
By Damian Spellman, PA Sport
England's reward for their Group F heroics is a last-16 clash with Denmark in
Niigata on Saturday.
The Danes, who surprised everyone 10 years ago when they became European
champions, are threatening to make waves once again after helping to condemn
favourites France to an early exit by topping Group A to book their clash with
Sven-Goran Eriksson's men.
Several of the names on Morten Olsen's teamsheet will be familiar to English
fans, but Denmark's strength, rather like that of the Republic of Ireland, is
based on their togetherness and organisation.
JON DAHL TOMASSON
Arguably the star of the group stage, Tomasson is an injury doubt but has put
himself in the running for the Golden Boot with four goals in his first three
games and proven himself a clinical finisher.
That alone is a triumph for the 25-year-old AC Milan-bound Feyenoord striker,
who scored as many goals in a whole season with Newcastle during a difficult
spell in England.
Then United boss Kenny Dalglish had few doubts about his quality even when he
sold him to the Dutch side in June 1998, and Tomasson, who played many of his
games for United out of position, has now matured into a dangerous frontman and
one who will cause England real problems if he is allowed to drift inside the
penalty area.
DENNIS ROMMEDAHL
It was winger Rommedahl who fired his side into the lead over world champions
France as the Danes knocked the final nail into their World Cup coffin.
Pacy and direct, he showed he can finish too after smashing an unstoppable
shot past Fabien Barthez.
The PSV Eindhoven man's ability to go past defenders has not gone unnoticed,
and former PSV boss Bobby Robson, now at Newcastle, is one of those to be linked
with the player in recent weeks.
STIG TOFTING
Denmark's own bulldog, Tofting is perhaps the most unlikely of World Cup
heroes but has been a central figure in his country's progression.
Tofting has shaken off horrific personal problems to provide the driving force
for his side from the middle of the park with a mixture of power and sheer hard
work.
His form will have come as no surprise to Bolton boss Sam Allardyce, who
recruited him to Wanderers' Premiership survival campaign late last season.
>THOMAS SORENSEN
Sunderland goalkeeper Sorensen will need no introduction to England's
Premiership stars after three excellent seasons in the top flight.
Sorensen has had to wait patiently in line behind Peter Schmeichel to get his
chance, and is determined to make the most of it.
He has been in miserly form so far, conceding just two goals, one of them
Dario Rodriguez's stunning strike for Uruguay in Denmark's opening game.
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