Denmark spoiled for choice

Unfortunate break
The Chelsea FC winger joined the rest of the players who were not in action in yesterday's goalless draw with Italy, having been forced to delay his trip to UEFA EURO 2004™ due to the death of his mother. However, he insisted that the unfortunate break had not affected his fitness.

No worries
"I am happy to be here, and I don't think I have fallen behind in terms of my physical condition in the week I have not been training with the squad," he said. "I am not worried that I will not be able to get a place in the team."

Player's decision
Coach Morten Olsen was also adamant that Gronkjær's bereavement would not harm his form. "I have been speaking to Jesper every day during this difficult period for him, and the decision has been his all the way," said Olsen. "Coming over to join us is something he really wants to do."

Full squad
With Gronkjær back in the camp and midfield player Thomas Gravesen back from suspension, Olsen is faced with the unusual problem of having all 23 players available. With his makeshift midfield having thrived in the stalemate against Italy, the coach will have to disappoint some players for Friday's match against Bulgaria.

Inevitable disappointment
"As a football coach, you always have to disappoint somebody," he said. "We spoke about that in our training camp in Vedbaek and everyone in the squad agreed that any personal feelings have to be pushed into the background. Of course you are disappointed - and maybe do not understand - when you are not in the team, but everyone understands that the team comes first."

Italy first
Denmark play Bulgaria and Sweden in their remaining Group C fixtures, and Olsen was at pains to underline that he did not believe that his side had already played their hardest game after taking on Italy.

Well suited
"In many ways the Italy match was actually the easiest one to play," he said. "The Italians have a fantastically good team, but their way of playing suited us, and the expectations we had were not high. Now the really hard matches come."

Tough nut
Bulgaria promise to be a tough nut to crack despite their opening defeat by Sweden. Olsen said: "The 5-0 scoreline does not give a fair picture of the game - far from it. The Bulgarians actually dominated the match for the first hour, and Sweden were lucky to be leading 1-0 at half-time.

Bulgarian passion
"Not until Sweden scored two goals in a minute did the Bulgarian team collapse," he added. "Therefore I expect a difficult game against an opponent who have to win, and who play very much like ourselves, with a 4-3-3 formation."