Proud Bendtner Set for Denmark Milestone

Proud Bendtner Set for Denmark Milestone

Nicklas Bendtner, 24, admits he may shed a tear if he wins his 50th cap on Wednesday but if his record against Portugal continues it may be Denmark's opponents who are left weeping.

Still only 24, Nicklas Bendtner is set to win his 50th cap when Denmark take on Portugal on Wednesday, and while the striker will spare the milestone a thought he is focused on the task in hand.
"I'm so proud," said the Arsenal FC striker. "It means a lot to me to represent my country, and though I have done it for so many matches, it still feels the same as it did on my debut. Every time I pull the Denmark jersey over my head I do so with pride. My eyes keep on getting a little misty. It's a crazy feeling knowing that the fans in your country are cheering for you. It doesn't get any bigger than that."
It is nearly six years now since Bendtner, then 18, made his debut in a friendly against Poland, marking the occasion with a goal in a 2-0 win. He has scored 17 more in 48 appearances since then, including an eye-catching return of four in as many games against Portugal – Denmark's next UEFA EURO 2012 opponents in Group B. "It's merely a coincidence," the striker insists.
The statistics say otherwise, and those billing Portugal as favorites for Wednesday's meeting in Lviv may want to dwell on another: Denmark have won three of their last five meetings, drawing one and losing another. That makes Denmark favourites, does it not? "When you name all those things then yes, you could say that. But when you look at their players, they are all at top clubs and have shown their talent over the years," replied Bendtner.

Proud Bendtner Set for Denmark Milestone

UEFA Steps Up Vigilance at Training Grounds - UEFA Euro 2012

UEFA Steps Up Vigilance at Training Grounds - UEFA Euro 2012

UEFA has written to the mayors of the relevant Polish and Ukrainian cities to ask that measures be implemented to prevent discriminatory or racist behavior at open training sessions.

Further to an incident that occurred at a Dutch national team training session on 8 June, UEFA has written to the mayors of the Polish and Ukrainian cities where open training sessions are scheduled to take place to ask that all effective and necessary measures – including an increased police presence – be implemented to prevent any display of discriminatory or racist behavior at such public sessions.

UEFA has also requested that the authorities ensure that any person found to be engaging in racist behavior be immediately ejected from the stadium and its vicinity, and that criminal proceedings be launched against such individuals.

A letter was also sent to the sports minister of Poland, Joanna Mucha, to ask for the full support of the Polish authorities in dealing with these important matters.

While to date there has only been one isolated incident, any such behavior is totally incompatible with UEFA's zero-tolerance policy towards any type of discriminatory behavior. UEFA is nevertheless confident that the local authorities will adequately deal with the issue.

UEFA Steps Up Vigilance at Training Grounds - UEFA Euro 2012

Denmark come in from EURO shadows - UEFA 2nd Day Overview

Denmark come in from EURO shadows - UEFA 2nd Day Overview

UEFA Euro 2012 Actions

Denmark's training camp used to be a quiet place, muses Thomas Mark, but their victory over the Netherlands and the emergence of two unlikely stars has changed all that.

Having selected a team camp by the Baltic Sea, tucked away in a distant corner of Poland, Denmark have not exactly been inundated with foreign press – until yesterday, at least.

You cannot blame the camera crews and journalists for not being here earlier: everyone expected the Netherlands to beat Denmark. It would all be business as usual; nothing to see here. But now, all of a sudden, there is.

Last week, the 29-year-old winger Michael Krohn-Dehli and goalkeeper Stephan Andersen, 30, had never played a match at a major finals tournament. Now, in the autumn of their careers, they have. Players like Christian Eriksen, Nicklas Bendtner and Daniel Agger, once in the media spotlight, have stepped into the shadows.

So what's the story with these two? They are actually quite similar. Both were marked for great things as youngsters but initially failed to realise that promise and looked to have missed the boat at international level. Both endured long spells as substitutes early in their club careers, and both were revived by moves to Brøndby IF.

Krohn-Dehli actually started at Brøndby before moving to the academy at AFC Ajax. He caught the eye of RKC Waalwijk, impressing in a two-year spell there, but his progress stalled on his return to Amsterdam. In 2008 he got things moving again, rejuvenated by a switch to Brøndby where he immediately became a regular, gaining more and more prominence until his goal on Saturday lifted him to a whole new sphere.

The young Andersen also struggled in foreign climes as understudy to the likes of Dean Kiely, Thomas Myhre and Scott Carson at Charlton Athletic FC. He returned to Denmark in 2007 with Brøndby and after four years rebuilding his career he set out on his travels again, this time to French side Évian Thonon Gaillard FC, soon establishing himself as No1. Injury to Thomas Sørensen on the eve of the finals gave him his chance here.

And that's the story. Two players, who had to wait until they were 25 before establishing themselves at club level, have taken UEFA EURO 2012 by storm. Proof that it's never too late to fulfill your dreams.

Denmark come in from EURO shadows - UEFA 2nd Day Overview

Ireland's Return - Blown-up by Croatia

Ireland's Return - Blown-up by Croatia

Republic of Ireland 1-3 Croatia

Two goals from Mario Mandžukić ruined Ireland's long-awaited return to
a EURO finals as Croatia opened up with an impressive victory in
Poznan.

Mario Mandžukić struck twice as Croatia opened their UEFA EURO 2012
campaign with a stylish victory against the Republic of Ireland.

A match played in incessant rain for long periods produced anything
but a damp squib. Mandžukić, a focal point for Croatia throughout,
struck as early as the third minute – the sixth-fastest goal in EURO
history. Ireland rallied to level through centre-back Sean St Ledger,
but Mandžukić grabbed his second after Nikica Jelavić had reclaimed
the lead and Croatia never looked like slipping up from there.

Enjoying their first experience of a UEFA European Championship in 24
years, Ireland's fans were in boisterous mood despite the deluge in
Poznan, but Croatia soon rained on their parade. Ireland failed to
clear a corner, Darijo Srna's cross came off the back of Stephen Ward
and – despite an untimely stumble – Mandžukić guided a precise header
to Shay Given's left, with the goalkeeper's desperate clawed attempt
not enough to keep it out.

The goal subdued the large contingent of fans dressed in green and
Nikica Jelavić was nearly in straight away for a second, only to be
denied by a wonderfully timed challenge from Richard Dunne. However,
the Irish supporters soon rediscovered their voices as their team
regained their composure. Damien Duff shot wide, Keith Andrews had a
free-kick blocked and then, in the 19th minute, they levelled.

Vedran Čorluka – only passed fit on the eve of the match – bundled
over Kevin Doyle on the left flank and from the resulting Aiden
McGeady free-kick, St Ledger lost Čorluka at the back post to head
firmly past Stipe Pletikosa. Croatia came back at Giovanni
Trapattoni's men, though. Given had to beat away Ivan Perišić's drive,
Jelavić headed just wide and Luka Modrić fired straight at the Ireland
No1. The pressure was building, and Ireland's defence soon burst.

Another half-cleared corner came to Modrić. His tame effort ricocheted
into Ward who could only stab the ball towards his own goal – his
second inadvertent assist of the night – and Jelavić was waiting to
flick a deft finish over the onrushing Given.

If the goal came at a bad time for Ireland, just before half-time,
Croatia were not about to let the lead slip this time. Three minutes
after the break, Perišić's invitation of a cross was met with glee by
Mandžukić, and his powerful header hit the post, before striking the
prone Given and cannoning in.

Croatia were playing on the break now, inviting Ireland on to them.
Trapattoni brought on Jon Walters and Simon Cox, but apart from set
pieces, Ireland were looking forlorn going forward. As their belief
ebbed, Croatia reassumed their hold on possession. Ivan Rakitić shot
narrowly wide and Mandžukić was a constant threat. Ireland supplied
some late pressure, Andrews in particular going close with a couple of
headers, but Croatia were good value for the three points and have the
early lead in Group C after Italy and Spain's draw earlier in the day.

Ireland's Return - Blown-up by Croatia