Filling big gloves for Denmark

Danish goalkeeper Thomas Soerensen applauds at the end of his Group A match against Senegal at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan in Daegu, 06 June Giant-killers Senegal came from behind to force a 1-1 draw with Denmark in their World Cup Group A match. AFP PHOTO/KIM JAE-HWAN

After waiting in the wings for a number of years as Peter Schmeichel kept a firm hold on Denmark's goalkeeping duties, Thomas Sorensen is now the established number one in Morten Olsen's well respected team.

While few could argue that Schmeichel was one of the best goalkeepers ever to play the game, Sorensen,, who now plays his club football for Aston Villa in the English Premiership, is building his own formidable reputation.

Hardly anyone outside of Denmark had even heard of the tall athletic 'keeper when Peter Reid plucked him from Odense for around 750,000 euros and brought him to Sunderland in 1998 as a 22-year-old.

However, in his first season in England he helped the 'Black Cats' win promotion to England's top flight and broke the club record for clean sheets with 29 in all competitions as Sunderland romped to the first division title.

World Cup blunder

Danish goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen (C) deflects the ball before English defender Rio Ferdinand (not pictured) scores a goal during the second round match Denmark/England of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 15 June 2002 at Niigata Big Swan Stadium. From L : Danish captain and defender Rene Henriksen, Danish midfielder Stig Tofting and English forward Michael Owen. AFP PHOTO ODD ANDERSEN

A reserve 'keeper at Euro 2000 when Denmark performed miserably and Schmeichel was in the twilight of his career, he took over the Danish job for good in 2001 and helped his country qualify for the World Cup in Asia.

Denmark goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen holds onto the ball despite pressure from Uruguay's Sebastian Abreu (R), 01 June 2002 at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, during their opening Group A match. A goal in each half by Denmark's Jon Dahl Tomasson helped clinch a 2-1 victory for Denmark over Uruguay. AFP PHOTO / PASCAL GUYOT

Sorensen was then instrumental as Denmark won their first round group ahead of Senegal, Sweden and hapless France to book a second round clash against England.

However, in the pouring rain at Niigata, Sorensen will forever be remembered for a dreadful blunder as he bundled the ball into his own goal from a Rio Ferdinand header in the 5th minute.

England went on to win the match 3-0 and as is the norm in the life of a goalkeeper, one mistake is often most remembered ahead of a hatful of skilfull saves.

Sunderland favourite

Back in England, Sunderland were struggling both on and off the pitch and despite the valiant efforts of Sorensen who was a firm favourite with the fans, he could not save the club from relegation in 2003.

Reid had already been sacked and as a result of the club's mounting financial worries, they sold Sorensen for a bargain 2.9 million euros to Aston Villa who had held of interest from a handful of other clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal.

He had played nearly 200 games on Tyneside and gained legendary status in Sunderland in 2001 when he saved an Alan Shearer penalty in the dying moments to preserve a vauable win over arch rivals and neighbors Newcastle.

Euro 2004 now provides a chance to erase the disappointment of the last World Cup as Denmark hope to repeat their fairytale win in the tournament back in 1992.