Underdog Denmark sets sights on another upset at World Cup

Relishing the role of underdog, Denmark has an outstanding record in major championships over the last three decades.

The 1992 European champions have survived the first round in each of its last three World Cup appearances, and this year's tournament in South Africa could be No. 4. But first, the Danes will have to get through a group containing the Netherlands, Cameroon and Japan.

"The goal in South Africa is to get past the first round," Denmark coach Morten Olsen said. "The chances are there. But then again, Cameroon and Japan can say the same. We'll see. Good football always gives the best results."

Olsen hasn't yet picked his squad, but the pool of players doesn't include any of the top names in international soccer.

Feyenoord striker Jon Dahl Tomasson and Ajax winger Dennis Rommedahl are nearing the twilight of their careers. Still, they form the backbone of the team with Liverpool defender Daniel Agger, Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen and Arsenal striker Niclas Bendtner.

Many experts didn't give the fairly low-profile squad much chance of making it to South Africa, but the Danes stunned both Portugal and Sweden to win their qualifying group. The team set the tone early with a 3-2 win in Portugal, and then beat Sweden twice to command the group all the way to the finish.

"The World Cup is very different from the qualification round, which stretches over a year and a half," Olsen said. "In South Africa, it only spans over four weeks and all players that I will pick must not have any injuries and be in their best shape. It is much more intense."

Denmark enters the tournament after having missed both the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship.

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Denmark's golden moment in soccer history is the win over Germany in the 1992 European Championship final - a tournament it joined as a late replacement for war-torn Yugoslavia. It also upset Germany in the group stage of the 1986 World Cup.

In its last World Cup appearance in 2002, Denmark sent advanced ahead of defending champion France before losing to England in the second round.

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