Question marks over Danish trio
Saturday, June 26, 2004
Article summary
Ebbe Sand is Denmark's main doubt for the match against the Czech Republic but Dennis Rommedahl and Martin Jørgensen also have fitness problems.
Article body
Final fitness test
Denmark coach Morten Olsen admitted that a final decision on whether Sand plays may not be taken until after a final fitness test before tomorrow's game. "We still have doubts about three players," Olsen said. "There are question marks over Dennis Rommedahl and Martin Jørgensen, and a very big question mark over Ebbe Sand.
Muscle problems
"All three are having muscle problems. No wonder, considering the fact we have now played three games in nine days, one of them in tropical conditions." The Danes expect Rommedahl and Jørgensen to be fit, but Olsen remained downbeat about Sand's prospects. The 31-year-old FC Schalke 04 forward has an injury to his left thigh and, according to Olsen, "when playing against an opponent like the Czechs, Ebbe will have to be 100 per cent fit".
Olsen's options
Olsen is already without left-back Niclas Jensen, who has an ankle injury. Kasper Bøgelund, who filled in with such distinction for the second half of the final Group C game against Sweden, is likely to deputise.
Tomasson move
Meanwhile, if Sand is not fit, Olsen is expected to move Jon Dahl Tomasson forward to play as a central striker with Claus Jensen moving into the AC Milan man's usual withdrawn role. If Rommedahl or Jørgensen is ruled out then Peter Løvenkrands and Kenneth Perez wil come into contention.
