Denmark boss Morten Olsen had criticised his German counterpart Joachim Low for his decision not to pick his strongest XI, though he too made changes from the team which lost to Spain at the weekend.

One of Low's six debutants, goalkeeper Robert Enke, made several top-drawer saves to keep the Danes at bay and strengthen his claim for a more regular place.

But, despite substitute Patrick Helmes going close with a hat-trick of opportunities, they could not cancel out Bendtner's goal.

Enke was involved in the game from the early stages and showed he was up to the job with a magnificent save to deny Daniel Agger after just a minute.

From the resulting corner, Enke was beaten, but Piotr Trochowski produced a goal-line clearance from Bendtner's low drive.

Denmark's dominant start was temporarily halted when the sprinkler system in the MSV Arena gave an unscheduled shower to the players.

The cold water seemed to shock Germany into action and first-half captain Kevin Kuranyi finally got in an effort on target for the home side, but the ball was blocked.

The same fate befell Trochowski and Marcel Jansen, who could not thread shots through the Denmark defence.

Bendtner had the visitors' second good chance of the game just five minutes before the break when he beat the Germany offside trap, but he was not able to place his shot inside the post with just Enke to beat.

Thomas Kahlenberg had another chance to put the Danes ahead on the stroke of half time, only to over-hit the ball after rounding Enke.

Olsen's team continued to look for a goal, but found a well-drilled defence blocking their path.

Alexander Madlung appeared to block Leon Andreasen's route to goal in an illegal manner, but English referee Howard Webb did not award a penalty in the 57th minute.

The game lost its way a little as the half progressed, with both coaches making regular substitutions and Helmes, of second division side Cologne, came closer than anybody with a 15-yard volley which missed the post by inches.

Denmark finally got their noses in front 10 minutes from time when the lively Bendtner netted his third goal in six international appearances.

He latched onto Jesper Gronkjaer's low cross ahead of Madlung to place the ball into the empty net.

Helmes had an almost identical chance to equalise from Stefan Kiessling's cross, but Jesper Christiansen saved with his legs.

And the Cologne striker hit the crossbar with his third attempt, but it was not quite a dream debut for the 23-year-old.

The game ended with Low's first defeat in charge of Germany, but with enough positives to take out of the game, most notably from Enke and Helmes.

For Denmark, it was a timely boost after their 2-1 defeat against Spain on Saturday in Euro 2008 qualifying Group F.