Denmark have been forced to make a change to their Euro 2012 squad ahead of the deadline after goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen was ruled out.
The Stoke goalkeeper suffered a back injury in Saturday’s friendly with Brazil and has been replaced with Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel.
An appearance at Euro 2012 would have been Sorensen’s fifth tournament with the Danes however coach Morten Olsen preferred not to risk the 35-year-old.
Schmeichel, 25, has never played for the senior national side but has 17 caps at Under 21 level to his name.
His father Peter famously helped the Danes win Euro 1992 before becoming a legend at Manchester United.
Speaking about the decision, Morten Olsen told the Danish Football Association’s official website: "Thomas has famously suffered an injury in his back.
"It gives unfortunately more likely that he will not recover in time to be available for matches in the finals than it gives hope that he gets over it in time.
"Therefore I see no other option than to choose Thomas from the squad."
"It's a heavy decision I had to make, and it is a serious stroke in the bill for us. First, Thomas a fantastic person and professional to have in the squad, and his routine is exactly what we need in a tournament against some of the strongest teams in the world.
“Thomas was obviously disappointed with my decision, but he understands our situation and my disposition."
Speaking of his disappointment Sorensen added: "I am deeply unhappy about it. I've been with for most of qualifying, and had looked forward to my fifth finals of the national team.
“But I also understand that it is a big risk to run with an injured goalkeeper, even before the finals kick is in progress, and therefore I respect Morten's decision, even if it hurts.”
Denmark Euro 2012 squad:
Goalkeepers: Stephan Andersen (Evian Thonon Gaillard), Anders Lindegaard (Manchester United), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City).
Defenders: Lars Jacobsen (FC Copenhagen), Simon Poulsen (AZ Alkmaar), Daniel Wass (Evian Thonon Gaillard), Simon Kjaer (AS Roma), Daniel Agger (Liverpool), Andreas Bjelland (FC Nordsjaelland), Jores Okore (FC Nordsjaelland).
Midfielders: William Kvist (VfB Stuttgart), Christian Poulsen (Evian Thonon Gaillard), Niki Zimling (Club Bruges), Jakob Poulsen (Midtjylland), Lasse Schone (NEC Nijmegen), Tobias Mikkelsen (FC Nordsjaelland), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Brondby), Thomas Kahlenberg (Evian Thonon Gaillard), Michael Silberbauer (Young Boys).
Forwards: Christian Eriksen (Ajax Amsterdam), Niclas Pedersen (FC Groningen), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Dennis Rommedahl (Brondby).
More About Euro 2012
- Where do Sweden go after their poor performance at Euro 2012
- STV Sports Daily at the Euros: Our look back at the Euro 2012 final
- Italy manager urges Mario Balotelli to learn and grow from Euro final loss
- Vicente Del Bosque basks in 'extraordinary' Spain achievement
- Spain 4-0 Italy: Spain's dominance confirmed with rout of Italy
- Cesc Fabregas starts in strikerless Spain formation for Euro 2012 final
- Abate returns to Italy team for Euro 2012 final against Spain
To leave a comment, please sign in.