Dennis the Menace

Uruguay's Gianni Guigou (R) and Denmark's Dennis Rommedahl (L) vie for the ball, 01 June 2002 at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, during their opening Group A match. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD

Dennis Rommedahl is one of the exciting young Danish strikers to have emerged in Morten Olsen's side and his performances at the 2002 World Cup did much to enhance his reputation.

The Copenhagen-born star has already attracted the interest of several of Europe's bigger clubs.

Dennis Rommedahl of PSV Eindhoven (L) passes AC Parma goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon 15 February 2001, during their fourth round first leg UEFA Cup match in Eindhoven. AFP PHOTO/EPA/ANP/ED OUDENAARDEN

However, despite Schalke 04's attempts to link Rommedahl up with his national team-mate Ebbe Sand in Germany, the youngster has preferred to stay in Holland with PSV Eindhoven where he has already won three Dutch championships.

The flying winger is not only quick, he also possesses great skills and dribbling ability.

He was signed as a 17-year-old by Danish side Lyngby, where he first caught the attention of PSV Eindhoven. He actually moved to Holland a year later and spent a frustrating season at PSV, making just two first team appearances.

Vital goals

A move to Dutch rivals RKC Waalwijk followed in 1997, where he got more of an opportunity to show what he could do and he made 34 appearances, scoring five goals.

PSV Eindhoven did not give up, however, and brought Rommedahl back to the club where he has remained ever since.

Denmark's Dennis Rommedahl is chased by Danny Griffin (rear) of Northern Ireland ina World Championship 2002 qualificaton match 01 September 2001 in Parken stadium in Copenhagen.

He made his international debut against the Faroe Islands in August, 2000 and played a key role in Denmark's qualification for the 2002 World Cup.

Out in Asia Rommedahl played in all four of Denmark's World Cup matches and helped qualifying Denmark for the second round by scoring the opener in their final group match, a 2-0 win over France that eliminated the holders.

At club level, PSV won another Dutch title in 2003 but while they remain one of the top clubs in Holland, they have so far failed to make a major impact in the Champions League.

Rommedahl who was still only 25-years-old in 2003 remains a key component of the Denmark team and Morten Olsen has fashioned a well organised unit capable of springing a surprise at Euro 2004.