Respect overdue for Denmark

Semi-final progress
Since that tournament, when the Danes were knocked out by soon-to-be champions Italy, there has been something of a lull in the Danish U21 production line, but the indications seem to suggest another successful campaign in the 2006 finals.

Resurgent Denmark
Having been defeated on away goals in the qualifying play-offs in 2004, following 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Italy, Flemming Serritslev's men took a major step towards the 2006 showpiece with a 1-0 win in their play-off first leg against Russia in Krasnodar at the weekend.

'A fantastic result'
They will now look to seal their progress to the finals at the Brøndby stadium on Wednesday, although Serritslev is urging caution: "A 1-0 away win is a fantastic result but we have seen that Russia have a very strong team and we need to be 100 per cent focused on Wednesday if we are to succeed."

Modest nation
If Denmark's record in U21 competition is less than exceptional, there is no doubting the quality of players that this relatively modest nation of just under 5.4 million continues to produce. The Danes have qualified for six European Championships and three FIFA World Cup finals in the last 21 years.

Top-level experience
However, the hope is that Serritslev's squad will finally restore Denmark's edge at underage level. And with almost all of his players regulars in either the Danish Superleague or another top European league, they may never have a better chance of making the finals. Russia, though, will not give up their dream of a place in next summer's championship without a fight.