Denmark: World Cup player by player

Denmark start their World Cup campaign against Uruguay in Ulsan and here is an analysis of their squad.

GOALKEEPERS

JESPER CHRISTIANSEN

A relative unknown, Christiansen overtook Jan Hofmann in the running with Brondby's Morgen Krogh to clinch the third goalkeeping position but is not going to unseat to the senior players ahead of him.

THOMAS SORENSEN

Very highly regarded at Premiership side Sunderland and Peter Schmeichel has identified the brawny but agile defender as his natural successor in goal. Excellent at dealing with crosses, Sorensen has used the Sporting Lisbon star as his model and may also develope Schmeichel's formidable temper with defenders who fail him. Super saves are a regular part of his game but may make no appearances at all in Euro 2000. The more progress Denmark make the greater are the chances that Schmeichel will stay in goal.

PETER KJAER

Untried goalkeeper from Silkeborg who is now 35 years of age. Great form at club level sees him rewarded with a place as one of Peter Schmeichel's understudies. Excellent all round technique and brave, Sorensen is more likely to deputise for Schmeichel if Denmark need another goalkeeper.

DEFENDERS

JAN HEINTZE

He plays in midfield usually for Bayer Leverkusen but is used as a left-back by Denmark. He often pushes on into midfield and contributes there with his good passing. Gives the Danes a good balance down the left side of the team and takes corners.

THOMAS HELVEG

Experienced defender who has spent several years in Italy. Enjoys playing as far up the field as he can and uses his speed to get around the pitch, Helveg can provide good crosses but can be a little rushed in his delivery. A good tackler who is unlikely to score in the tournament. No longer a certain starter for AC Milan after Udinese coach Alberto Zaccheroni made him his first purchase in 1998 when he took over at the black and reds.

RENE HENRIKSEN

Agile and a good passer but he can be caught out of position. A willing runner but unlikely to contribute anything other than headers and clearances to the side if he makes it to a starting line-up.

NICLAS JENSEN

A hard-tackling but tidy defender who gained promotion with Manchester City last month and helped FC Copenhagen to win the 2001 Danish title. He can also play in midfield to make him a good squad player but is not a likely starter unless there are injuries.

KASPER BOGELUND

A young player just finding his feet at PSV in Holland but he is regarded as a future talent if he can gain confidence from the current tournament. But he may only be used as a substitute although he is a start performer for the Danish under-21 and very tricky in a neophyte play-making role.

STEVEN LUSTU

An unlikely choice helped by the lack of defenders who can deputise for the first choice four regulars although Lundy can fill-in across the back-line to help his cause a little.

MIDFIELDERS

STIG TOFTING

Holding player in midfield who passes short and to feet unless clearing the ball. A good tackler who is not strong in the air and he may need to improve this if he is to hold down a regular place in the side.

MARTIN JOERGENSEN

Dependable midfielder who is a good organiser and a steadying influence when the tackles start to fly as they did against Scotland last month. He has a good shot but is not very fast and so is more likely to be found holding a position in front of the defence. A great season with Udinese has seen him linked with several bigger Italian clubs

BRIAN STEEN NIELSEN

Rugged veteran and AB Copenhagen star who runs hard for the team but creates very little. Well suited for use in a creative midfield trio but the Danish side often use Steen Nielsen to generate moves that are intended to go forward and he does not have the vision or range of passing to pull this off. Dependable and consistent at helping the defenders.

THOMAS GRAVESEN

Hamburg SV midfielder has been in great form in the Bundesliga with the port city club and has recovered from a knee injury earlier in the season that threatened to end his campaign well before Euro 2000. Gravesen can create chances for strikers and Denmark really need his creative influence.

MARTIN LAURSEN
Fast midfielder who is evasive and strong but who can lack confidence if he only has to rely on one or two chances during the game. Relies on his own rhythm of running and shooting to give him the confidence to take chances but if he does not see much of the ball he will lack the nerve to convert the rare chance. A good passer outside the penalty box. AS Roma transfer target this summer after real emergence in the last campaign with Udinese.

CHRISTIAN POULSEN

A future star in the making for the Danes and their best young prospect by some way. He cost Schalke 04 £4 million in December and helped the Gelsenkirchen club win the German Cup at the start of May. Smooth runner with the ball and great awareness but needs to add shooting power to help his game develop although he has an excellent range of passes already to perhaps star for the midfield when he gets a game at the finals.

JAN MICHAELSEN

32 years and a regular performer in midfield and defence for Panathinaikos where the erratic intensity of the Greek championship has added steel to his game. A good and versatile wide player for the national team whose emergence over the season could see him get a starting place.

DENNIS ROMMEDAHL

Fast winger who has yet to make the progress many predicted two years ago but he has a good scoring ratio - one in three roughly - from the wing and he can cross well.

CLAUS JENSEN

Not a first choice for the Danish team but a good option to have on the bench with reasonable free kick skills and a little invention to his game than workers like Tofting and Gravesen.

STRIKERS

EBBE SAND

Willing target man who plays well with his back to the goal but is not a certain finisher. He has good control but he needs to work harder on his shooting in the penalty area where he finds it difficult at times to make enough space for himself.

MIKLOS MOLNAR

Fast and able striker who is able to hold the ball up very well for his fellow attackers and he can also tackle well. Plays for the team and is a competent if unspectacular finisher. A very high standard of fitness he now plays in the MLS with Kansas City.

JON DAHL TOMASSON

Tomasson was touted as true rising star of the European game before his career collapsed into hell at Newcastle United. He could do nothing right in England and looked slow, awkward and lumbering. For the Danish team though Tomasson is a regular goal scorer and reliable attacker who shows good awareness and finishing ability. He has been rehabilitated by a successful two seasons in Holland with Feyenoord of Rotterdam. Indeed his first term at the club helped them to the Dutch championship but the suspicion remains that he is lazy.

JESPER GRONKJAER

The Ajax Amsterdam forward may be worth the risk of a place in the final 22. The Dutch club are impressed with his speed around the penalty area. The key speed for a forward in the modern game is his quick decision making when around the goal and Gronkjaer could prove the only Danish forward of his generation with the power to make a choice quickly and go through with it. He is often played in wide positions and could actually develop into an orthodox winger.

PETER LOVENKRANDS

A striker who scored the winning goal in the Scottish Cup final for Rangers, Lovenkrands has been used as a substitute by the Scottish club for most of the season. He is now attracting interest from AS Roma and a good World Cup could see the rangy striker become an in-demand player.

PETER MADSEN

Brondby star who is a good finisher and quick. He is set to be used as a late substitute at the finals particularly if Jon Dahl Tomasson struggles to cope with the humid conditions in Asia but unlikely to challenge for starting honours due to inexperience.