Red Dynamites have to explode on time

It was the second time in six years that the Danish Dynamite had taken the football world by storm. Since then, however, there has not been that much for Danish fans to sing about and in 2000, the Danes finished bottom of their group in the Euro finals, having lost all three matches.

Their road to Portugal this time around was not particularly smooth and in their second last qualifying match they needed Martin Laursen8217;s goal five minutes into injury time to equalise against Romania.

A defeat would have probably cost them first place in the group and therefore direct qualification to Euro 2004.

They then travelled to Bosnia- Herzegovina, knowing that a defeat would send them into the play-offs. Martin Jorgensen gave them an early lead, but after Elvir Bolic equalised for the home side in the first half, Denmark had to hang on desperately for the point they needed.

All of that, of course, is no longer any concern as coach Morten Olsen will look towards Portugal where his charges face a group containing Sweden, Bulgaria and Italy to bring back some of the old glory days.

One of the major strengths in the Danish game is their forward line, where Olsen has a choice of several of Europe8217;s top strikers, like Glasgow Rangers8217; Peter Lovenkrands, Jon Dahl Thomasson, who plays for AC Milan and Ebbe Sand from German club Schalke 04.

Olsen has named 21 of his 23 man squad to give Lovenkrands and PSV Eindhoven8217;s Kasper Bogelund, who are both struggling with injuries, a chance to recover in time for Portugal.

The squad contains central defenders Rene Henriksen of Panathinaikos and Udinese8217;s Per Kroldrup and, should Lovenkrands or Bogelund fail to make it, Olsen may decide to bring another defender, probably Per Nielsen or Martin Albrechtsen.

gms/dpa 2004