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Danish team arrives in Israel for soccer friendly despite initial security fears
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 Israel
and Denmark were gearing up Tuesday for a friendly match despite
initial Danish concerns that their safety would be endangered as
Muslims around the world protested violently against cartoons of
the Prophet Muhammad published in Danish newspapers.
The teams were to face off Wednesday in Israel's national stadium
in the Tel Aviv suburb of Ramat Gan.
On Tuesday at a training session, the Danes spoke mostly of the
good Israeli weather and little about their fears of anti-Danish
acts by Muslims. Team coach Morten Olsen extended training due to
the sunny skies.
"I'm sure that most people make a difference between politics
and football," Olsen said when asked about the team's original
thoughts of canceling the game.
Muslims around the world reacted with violent protests earlier
this month to a Danish newspaper's publication of caricatures of
the Prophet Muhammad, including one that showed him wearing a turban
shaped like a bomb with a lit fuse. Only a few incidents took place
in Israel and the Palestinian areas.
Israeli Arab player Abas Suan tried to allay any remaining Danish
fears.
"All religions should be left aside," Suan said. "I
am not expecting any anti-Danish demonstrations. All I am interested
in is winning the match."
Israel should have a tough time doing that, having lost to Denmark
six out of seven times in the past. But Danish goalkeeper Thomas
Sorensen of Aston Villa said Tuesday that Israel would give them
a good fight.
"Israel brings back good memories, but I doubt it will be
that easy this time," Sorensen said Tuesday.
The teams have perhaps been more equalized in recent months, with
Israel achieving solid results against France, Switzerland and Ireland,
finishing third in the group above Ireland. Denmark did not qualify
for the World Cup.
Sorensen will face West Ham's Israeli player Yossi Benayoun, who
scored a goal against him when the teams competed in the Premier
League this season.
Benayoun's teammate at West Ham, Yaniv Katan, and Tal Ben Haim
of Bolton Wanderers are also set to face Premier League opponents.
Real Madrid's Thomas Gravesen will line up for Denmark against
former Everton teammate Idan Tal in midfield.
Israel was having trouble stirring up interest in the game, with
only 1,000 tickets sold by Tuesday. Game organizers were offering
free tickets to soldiers and youth groups. The team dedicated the
match to outgoing coach Avraham Grant. The new coach, Dror Kashtan,
was to name the team's lineup for the game on Wednesday.
Olsen named Denmark's starting line up on Tuesday to include Thomas
Sorensen, Lars Jacobsen, Michael Gravgaard, Niclas Jensen, Per Kroeldrup,
Christian Poulsen, Jesper Gronkjaer, Kenneth Perez, Martin Joergensen,
Thomas Gravesen, Morten Skoubo. The subs will be Jesper Christiansen,
Brian Priske, Daniel Jensen, Michael Silberbauer, Nicolai Stokholm,
Peter Lovenkrands, Soeren Berg.
Six injured or sick players won't line up for Denmark, including
captain Thomas Helveg and deputy captain Jon Dahl Tomasson, meaning
midfielder Gravesen will wear the armband. Also one of Denmark's
rising stars, Soeren Larsen is ill and has been replaced by Soeren
Berg.
http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/Briefs/7915.htm
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