Schmeichel out of Danish squad - February 20,
2000
Danish manager Morten Olsen has left former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel out of his squad to face Ireland.
The off-form Sporting Lisbon star announced his international retirement before Olsen named his 18-man squad this afternoon - but whether he got the tip-off from Olsen that he was about to be dropped anyway is unknown. His place went to uncapped Glasgow Rangers goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen even though Christiansen has not played competitive football since he lined out for his club against Aberdeen on November 12 last year.
This spells the end of Schmeichel's 128-cap reign as Denmark's No. 1. He should be replaced at Lansdowne Road by Sunderland's Thomas Sorensen, who will be trying to prevent his clubmate Niall Quinn from scoring.
There is only one other uncapped player in the squad. Martin Albrechtsen, who plays his football with AB, has been drafted in as defensive cover.
The midfield and forward lines could have a familiar look to them, especially to fans of English football. Manager Olsen has named Everton's Thomas Gravesen, Charlton's Claus Jensen and Fulham's Bjarne Goldbaek in midfield and Chelsea's Jesper Gronkjaer, former Newcastle flop Jon Dahl Tomasson and Aston Villa target Dennis Rommedahl are named as three of his five attacking options.
Denmark squad: Jesper Christiansen (Glasgow Rangers) Thomas Sorensen (Sunderland), Martin Albrechtsen (AB), Jan Heintze (PSV Eindhoven), Thomas Helveg (AC Milan), Rene Henriksen (Panathinaikos), Martin Laursen (Hellas-Verona), Bjarne Goldbaek (Fulham), Thomas Gravesen (Everton), Claus Jensen (Charlton Athletic), Martin Jorgensen (Udinese), Brian Steen Nielsen (AB), Stig Tofting (Hamburger), Jesper Gronkjaer (Chelsea), Jan Michaelsen (AB), Dennis Rommedahl (PSV Eindhoven), Ebbe Sand (Schalke 04), Jon Dahl Tomasson (Feyenoord)
Danish u21 squad: Casper Ankergren (Brøndby), Rune Pedersen (FC København), Hans Henrik Andreasen (Esbjerg FB), Kasper Bøgelund (PSV Eindhoven), Lars Jacobsen (OB), Dan Anton Johansen (Brøndby), Morten Rasmussen (OB), Asbjørn Sennels (Viborg), Mads Jørgensen (AGF), Thomas Krause (BK Frem), Patrick Mtiliga (Excelsior, Rotterdam), Christian Poulsen (FC København), Michael Silberbauer (AaB), Dennis Sørensen (Farum BK), Thomas Augustinussen (AaB), Kim Christensen (Lyngby), Nicolai Jørgensen (Vejle BK), Mogens Laursen (FC Midtjylland)