Danes look to cross Spain threshold

Having dragged themselves from the pit of despair following a farrago in June, Denmark are hoping to avenge some notable defeats against Spain in Aarhus on Saturday.

Fateful finale
Four months ago, Danish football suffered a serious blow. The national team had come back from 3-0 down when the award of a late penalty in the home qualifier against Sweden prompted a fan to invade the pitch and attack referee Herbert Fandel. This prompted the abandonment of the match and a 3-0 default victory for Sweden. For many supporters, it also marked the end of Denmark's chances of reaching UEFA EURO 2008™.

Pulse racing
A 4-0 friendly loss in the Republic of Ireland piled on more misery before September's lucky 0-0 draw in Sweden and 4-0 success against Liechtenstein – coupled with helpful results elsewhere – conspired to put the Danes back in qualifying contention. Five points behind second-placed Spain, but with a game in hand, Danish pulses are racing again with the 21,000 tickets for Saturday's match against Luis Aragonés's men selling out in 20 minutes.

Spanish defeats
With 40 per cent of the population expected to watch on television, Denmark fans are looking to finally get their own back on Spain. The Iberian team eliminated them on penalties in the 1984 UEFA European Championship semi-finals; drubbed them 5-1 in the last 16 of the 1986 FIFA World Cup; beat them 3-2 in the group stage at EURO '88; and denied them a place in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups with decisive qualifying wins.

Laudrup memories
Morten Olsen's former assistant Michael Laudrup, now coaching Spanish club Getafe CF, said: "In 1984 ... penalties in the semi-final. In 1986 ... 5-1 with four goals by Emilio Butragueño. In 1988 ... 3-2 in the European Championship. And then in 1993 ... Fernando Hierro scores. Everything Spain gave me [in club football with FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF], their national team took away! Thinking about the upset Spain have caused Denmark in the last 23 years, I hope we can win this time."

'Always optimistic'
Spanish-inflicted injuries may haunt Laudrup, but Jon Dahl Tomasson – who is also based in Spain with Villarreal CF – is not taking such things to heart. "I definitely do not have any kind of Spanish complex," said the Denmark striker. "I consider Spain to be an opponent just like any other. I am optimistic as always and think it will be a 2-1 win for us."

Crucial factor
A key factor in Denmark's favour is that they have a full squad available, with Sevilla FC midfielder Christian Poulsen ready to step up after serving a three-match suspension following his dismissal in the fateful game against Sweden. "In the four months since that incident, I have really learned what it is like to miss out with the national team and I really hope I can contribute now – not least because I know our opponents very well as I play with, and against, their players every day," he said.