Grønkjær doubt for Danes
Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Article summary
Denmark winger Jesper Grønkjær has not travelled to Portugal due to an illness in his family.
Article body
Coach supportive
The Chelsea FC player remained in Denmark as his team-mates flew out for the finals yesterday. "Some things in life are more important than football and that is not least one's family," said coach Morten Olsen. "I've talked to Jesper and fully understand his wish to stay home with his family until he feels he can leave Denmark."
Respect privacy
It is unclear whether Grønkjær will join his colleagues later but Olsen said he was prepared to play the tournament with only 22 players instead of the original 23-man squad. Olsen urged the media not to contact Grønkjær. Denmark, European champions in 1992, open their campaign against Group C rivals Italy next Tuesday.
Jørgensen worry
Meanwhile, fellow winger Martin Jørgensen was still training alone at the Danish camp in Lagos on the Algarve coast on Tuesday due to a thigh injury. Also following a reduced programme today were Thomas Helveg, Claus Jensen and Kasper Bøgelund but coach Morten Olsen is still confident they will face Italy on Monday.
Time running out
"At the moment there is no doubt, that all four of them will be fit," said Olsen, who will give the players until the end of the week to declare their fitness. "On Thursday we are going to start our tactical training with regards to the Italy match and by then we will have to know which players we can count on."
