Olsen names final Denmark squad

After announcing his squad for the FIFA World Cup, Denmark coach Morten Olsen revealed that telling the four players from the provisional group who did not make the cut that they would not be going to South Africa was one of the hardest things he has had to do in coaching.

Kim Christensen, Michael Silberbauer, Michael Krohn-Dehli and Morten Rasmussen were all given the bad news on Friday morning following Denmark's 2-0 friendly win against Senegal the night before in Aalborg.

"Those were the worst messages I have had to pass on in my entire coaching career," the 60-year-old Olsen said. "I know how big a World Cup is and those players did not deserve to be left out. However, there are rules as to how many players we are allowed to bring and as the boss it is my decision and responsibility to pass on those messages."

There is some doubt about the fitness of US Città di Palermo defender Simon Kjær, who damaged a ligament in his right knee against Senegal, but he will be on the plane to South Africa.

Denmark have been drawn in Group E against the Netherlands, Japan and Cameroon and kick off their campaign against the Netherlands in  Johannesburg on 14 June.

Denmark squad
Goalkeepers: Jesper Christiansen (FC København), Stephan Andersen (Brøndby IF), Thomas Sørensen (Stoke City FC).

Defenders: Daniel Agger (Liverpool FC), Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Patrick Mtiliga (Málaga CF), Per Krøldrup, (ACF Fiorentina), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar) Simon Kjær (US Città di Palermo) William Jørgensen (FC København).

Midfielders: Christian Poulsen (Juventus), Christian Eriksen (AFC Ajax) Daniel Jensen (Werder Bremen), Jakob Poulsen (AGF Århus), Mikkel Beckmann (Randers FC), Thomas Enevoldsen (FC Groningen), Thomas Kahlenberg (VfL Wolfsburg).

Forwards: Dennis Rommedahl (AFC Ajax), Jesper Grønkjær (FC København), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord), Martin Jørgensen, (AGF Århus) Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal FC), Søren Larsen (MSV Duisburg).