Thursday Sep 29 2005 08:28
Denmark coach Morten Olsen is hoping that his side can revive the spirit of the team that clinched European Championship glory in 1992, as they seek to overcome the Czech Republic in Sunday's Euro 2004 quarter-final.
Olsen captained the Danish teams that reached the semi-finals of the European Championship in 1984 and the second round of the World Cup in 1986, but it is the team of 1992 which he wants his players to draw inspiration from.
"Football is about tradition and history and I think one of the most asked questions for the players is 'can you do it again'," he said.
"We're a small country and I think it's also very difficult to compare (with) other times in football.
"I still remember '84, it was the first time Denmark were in the European Championship and we reached the semi-finals and we have been in this competition since then.
"We didn't qualify in '92 but we won it. But having said that it was a time when there were only eight (teams) in the finals.
"This team haven't lost in the first three games. I remember the 1984 and 1992 teams lost in the first round and if you compare it with then we're in (the equivalent of) the semi-finals."
Olsen knows that his players face a tough task if they are to advance past the in-form Czech Republic in Oporto, but Greece's win over France has given him renewed confidence that his side can produce a shock result.
He added: "It's a surprise, yes, but having said that surely in such a competition with the 16 best teams in Europe it's not so big.
"It depends on the form on the day. Maybe on paper you see some very good individuals but you can do it with tactics, with good team spirit and also some good football.
"We're playing against the Czech Republic who do not only have a very good football team, they have the same spirit as the Danish team.
"They have some good players and we have some good players so I think it will be a fifty-fifty game."
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