DENMARK

The Danes typically perform well when they qualify for major tournaments. This current Morton Olsen led team was less fancied than any Danish side since the early 1980′s. Yet they qualified out of a strong UEFA group with relative ease, finishing ahead of serial qualifiers Portugal and Sweden. The non-qualification by the rival Swedes was their first missed major tournament of the millennium.

The health of goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was a concern following an injury for his club side Stoke City in a match at Stamford Bridge versus Chelsea. The central defensive duo of Simon Kjaer and Daniel Agger both are coming off solid club seasons in Italy and England respectively.

The midfield is strong and features several high quality club footballers. Christian Poulsen is the highest profile player in this group, but he struggled to find first team action at Juventus this past season. Daniel Jensen is a capable attacking midfield option as is skipper Jon Dahl Thomasson who can push up into the attack as well. Dannis Rommedahl helps provide some stability and bite in the center of the pitch.

Niklas Bendtner will lead the line up front alongside Thomasson or Soren Larson. With an experienced and relatively healthy squad, the Danes will be a tough out for any opponent.

Fox Soccer Channel has announced its TV schedule for the 2010 World Cup Qualifying matches, scheduled this September. The matches that will be shown in the United States are:

• Hungary v Denmark, Saturday, September 6, 1:30pm ET
• Ukraine v Belarus, Saturday, September 6, 4pm ET (tape delayed)
• Russia v Wales, Wednesday, September 10, 11am ET
• Macedonia v Holland, Wednesday, September 10, 2:30pm ET
• Slovenia v Slovakia, Wednesday, September 10, 5pm ET (tape delayed)