FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Coach Bo Johansson has brought the feelgood factor back into Danish football following his new sweep of the brush after succeeding Richard Moller Nielsen following Euro ‘96.

The former national set-up had become a little world weary and Johansson’s taking up of the post injected renewed spirit into the side. Denmark only lost one match in the qualifiers, surprisingly to Bosnia Herzegovina, and managed to head their group from Croatia by two points.

That effort meant the 1992 European Champions had qualified for only their second World Cup finals – the other being in 1986. That was no mean feat for Sweden’s Johansson, who has previously coached Kalmar and Oster in his native country, Panonios in Greece, the Finnish national side, Denmark’s Silkeborg and Finnish club Helsingborg.

Denmark have traditionally had a fierce rivalry with Sweden, but Johansson’s allegiance became crystal clear when they beat Sweden 1-0 away in his first match in charge. Since then, Johansson has switched the formation from a 3-5-2 favoured by former coach’s Sepp Piontek and Moller Nielsen to a 4-4-2 system of zonal defence. And Johansson’s record proves the change of strategy was right and they have only suffered one defeat, to Bosnia, since he took charge.

He has also bolstered team spirit and the squad is free from the feuds and internal strife which can poison morale among team members.

Perhaps Johansson’s most difficult task is finding a top striker to partner Brian Laudrup up front.

Denmark’s haul of just 14 goals was the lowest of all the automatic qualifiers from Europe and Johansson is aware once that problem is solved, they have the ability to beat the very best.

And Johansson also knows the performance of Laudrup, who was often breathtaking in his ability in the qualifiers, will also be crucial in Denmark’s success or failure.