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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: March 1, 2006 |
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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. |
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