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Q & A: Denmark coach Morten Olsen
Posted: Tuesday April 23, 2002 4:05 PM
What
do you think of the draw?
It is a tough group, no doubt about that. France are the world champions,
Senegal reached the Final of the African Nations Cup, and as for
Uruguay, who would underestimate them? There are no easy opponents
any more in World Cups. You must expect very hard matches.
Who
are your key players?
I don't think we have a star. The team is the star. We have some
good players and they complement each other. We have a good balance
of experience and youth. I cannot and will not pick out one player.
We don't have a Laudrup any more. Who will win the World Cup? France
and Argentina are the teams to beat.
Who
will be the surprises?
That is very difficult. There are three, four, five very good teams,
and of the rest, many can beat each other. There will be a surprise,
I'm sure of it. Maybe it can be us. Nowadays, the difference is
so small between most national teams that many of the countries
could make a run in the tournament.
Will
the conditions affect you?
It's a professional world and all teams make good preparations.
Some nations will have players in the Champions League Final in
May and that could be a little problem. The humidity might be a
factor for the Europeans, but I don't think so because we know how
to prepare. Players may be tired from a long season so it could
be that a player who missed half the season with injury and is physically
very fresh could be the star of the tournament.
Which
player will be the star of the World Cup?
Football nowadays is more about the collective. That has grown more
important over the past 20 years. But there are always key players,
such as Zidane, Figo and Owen. Some Argentinian and Brazilian players
may make an impact but I don't think a new name will emerge.
What
are your chances?
Our strength is that we know what we are capable of, and that we
have a philosophy of playing with style. I think that's important
because there's only one winner in every game, and if you try to
win in a negative way that's bad for football.
How
important is it to have players from the Danish Superliga in the
squad?
There are some, and it is good for Danish football. For 30 years,
whenever a player from our League has made the national team he
has immediately transferred abroad. It will be the same with the
new crop like Peter Madsen and Christian Poulsen. But it's a vital
ingredient to have some domestic players in the squad. It is a great
incentive to everyone to see the team is not exclusively for players
abroad.
Is
there a chance Peter Schmeichel will come back for the World Cup?
No. Peter has had a fantastic career and is still playing very well
for Aston Villa. He still has the ability to play at a World Cup,
but he has retired from the national side and we have a marvellous
new young keeper in Thomas Sorensen.
What
does the future hold for you after the World Cup?
I have signed for another five years with Denmark and I feel good
about the job. We have good young players coming up, and can look
forward with optimism to the 2004 European Championship and the
2006 World Cup.
From World Soccer magazine.
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