How are Denmark preparing for the tournament?

Denmark will only play two friendlies before departing for Poland. First they will face Brazil at a neutral venue in Hamburg on May 26 before playing host to Australia on June 2 in Copenhagen. The Brazil clash will take place three days before Morten Olsen announces his Euro 2012 squad and will be his last chance to assess the form of the players who are in contention to make the final squad. Despite playing their group stage games in Ukraine, Denmark will have their base in Poland at a hotel near the Baltic Sea as this venue is similar in climate and training-pitch standard to Denmark’s regular camp at home.

What is Denmark's realistic target for the tournament?

Denmark are in a tough group with Netherlands, Germany and Portugal, and there aren't a lot of expectations for the country to advance to the knockout phase. The opening game against the Dutch will prove crucial for any hopes of progression and a draw or even a victory will give them a significant boost as their second match is against Portugal, the team they beat at home in the qualifiers. If they can amass four points from the first two games, a runners-up spot will be a possibility.

What is Denmark's toughest game in the group?

Without any doubt the last group-stage game against Germany will be the most difficult match for Morten Olsen's men. Germany are always a difficult opponent but the opener against Netherlands, the team that defeated them comfortably at the World Cup in South Africa two years ago, will be very important. Another loss will make it very difficult to go any further in the tournament, especially with the group decider against the Germans.

Are there any injury or fitness concerns?

Christian Poulsen, a key player in central midfield in recent years, is currently sidelined because of a strained muscle and is not expected to be fit again until a few weeks before the start of the Euros. This is bad news for Olsen as he will not be able to test his fitness or form before the tournament kicks off. Poulsen may no longer be a natural first choice in central midfield but he has had an exceptional season for his French club Evian and his experience could come in handy in a tough group. Apart from that, there are no injury concerns.

Are there any surprise picks who could go to the Euros?

One player who could have made the final squad was Ajax defender Nicolai Boilesen, but an injury has ruled him out of the tournament. Olsen is not expected to make any surprise selections for his squad like he did for the World Cup finals when he picked Christian Eriksen. The only question for the coach is who he will choose as his forwards. Bendtner is a certainty but it remains to be seen which players will accompany him in the final squad. Mikkel Beckmann (Nordsjaelland), Soren Larsen (AGF), Nicklas Helenius (AaB) and Simon Christoffersen (Brondby) are all in contention.

What is the biggest issue for the coach to resolve?

Olsen’s biggest concern is of course the tough opponents Denmark will have to face in the group stage, and how to stop their high-profile rivals from scoring. He could opt for the usual defensive-minded 4-3-3 formation where he can take advantage on the counterattack to poach a goal or two. But he could also deploy a more attack-minded approach in the opening game against Netherlands in order to spring a surprise. In South Africa it was clear that playing Bendtner alone up front was not the right set-up, and it's up to Olsen to rectify the mistakes and avoid a repeat.