Dutch hope class outshines luck against Danes

For the Danes, victory is even more vital after their 3-0 loss to France in the opening round of games last Sunday. If they lose again they can start their summer holidays in a week’s time. A draw and they should begin leafing through the brochures.

Strangely, although the results went different ways and three points separate the sides, both Denmark and The Netherlands want to forget their opening performances.

The Dutch were kept in the game against the Czech Republic twice by the woodwork and once from a fine Edwin van der Sar save and won with a controversial penalty from Frank De Boer in the 89th minute. Denmark, like the Dutch, showed early promise, but received a lesson in striking from the French.

Dutch coach Frank Rijkaard’s immediate concern is over the fitness of Jaap Stam, the rock at the centre of his defence. Already sporting an impressive black eye and four stitches after a clash of heads with Czech Jan Koller, Stam sustained a groin strain in training on Tuesday.

Rijkaard will probably decide whether to risk the Manchester United centre back at the last minute, but is already preparing for the worst.

"It’s just too early to say whether he can or cannot play. I just have to assume not for the time being. Today at least the medical staff were a bit more confident about the injury," the Dutch coach said.

Sunday’s poor performance may also bring other changes with midfielder Ronald de Boer and left winger Marc Overmars, who both started on the bench, the likely beneficiaries.

The casualties would then be Clarence Seedorf and Boudewijn Zenden, although the latter could take Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s position at left back. The players will find out on the day of the match.

Rijkaard knows the public wants his side to play attractive football, but he says he will not make any concessions to style at the expense of substance.

"We need the performance and the result. We can talk about style afterwards," he said.

Rijkaard’s counterpart, Denmark’s Swedish coach Bo Johansson, is unlikely to have Chelsea sweeper Jens Hoegh at his disposal despite the steady recovery of his Achilles injury, but defender Thomas Helveg could play.

The Dutch are keen to avoid accusations that they are already thinking about next week’s likely Group D decider against France.

"To talk about the French now would show I’m underestimating the Danes. In the first 15-20 minutes, the Danes had some good opportunities. We know how good the French defence is, so we really should take the Danes seriously. I expect a very strong side who are looking for their last chance against us," said Rijkaard.

However, history does not favour the Dutch. The two sides last played in Copenhagen in August and drew a dour match 0-0.

The last meeting of note, in the Euro ’92 semifinals, ended in a penalty shoot-out victory for Denmark who went on to succeed The Netherlands as European champions when they beat Germany 2-0 in the final.

The Danes are again unfancied, but while they may have been underestimated then, they will not be now, the Dutch insist.

"Most of the time they are underdogs, but every time they have left a good impression," said Dutch and Arsenal forward Dennis Bergkamp who is set to face his old Manchester United adversary Peter Schmeichel.

The last time they met, in an FA Cup semifinal replay in 1999, Schmeichel saved a last-minute Bergkamp penalty. If Bergkamp had scored that, then United could not have won their famous treble of a year ago.

The Danes may lack the flair of the departed Laudrup brothers, but have strength and speed aplenty. Jon-Dahl Tomasson and Jesper Groenkjaer are regarded as clear threats.

While the Dutch have watched the Danes, the Danes say they have not bothered to watch The Netherlands’ opening match and will simply play their normal attacking game.

Shmeichel, the Danish captain, said: "There won’t be any different tactical set-up. I don’t think we’ve ever played tactical football. We just want to push forward, score goals and entertain."