Group E overview

Netherlands
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon

Fixtures:

14/06/2010, Johannesburg - JSC, Netherlands vs Denmark
14/06/2010, Mangaung/Bloemfontein, Japan vs Cameroon

19/06/2010, Durban, Netherlands vs Japan
19/06/2010, Tshwane/Pretoria, Cameroon vs Denmark

24/06/2010, Rustenburg, Denmark vs Japan
24/06,2010, Cape Town, Cameroon vs Netherlands

While the Netherlands are quite big favorites here, the fixtures list cause quite a nice intrigue. Cameroon will be backed by familiar surroundings, Denmark are always capable of a surprise versus bigger teams and Japan aren't no pushovers either. All could go down to the last round here.

The winner will get group F 2nd team in the next stage, while runner-up will meet the group F winner.

Sørensen looking to impress

Denmark's goalkeeper has revealed a place in the national team side keeps him motivated to perform at his highest level for his club, Stoke City.

"It's a fantastic thing and the biggest thing you can be involved in. It's great to have something at the end of the season to look forward to and that spurs you on. In terms of motivation, you hope that all of the hard work you put in, you will get the benefits of in the summer", said the man currently has 83 caps to his name.

After the legendary Peter Schmeichel retired, Sørensen has been ever present in the Danish goal and looks certain to be Denmark's nr.1 also in South Africa.

There really isn't much competition for the goalkeeping place in Denmark, even though Sørensen says he has to be at his best for his club to get the nod. That's just being polite.

Jesper Christiansen has been voted Danish Goalkeeper of the Year three times, but he's still playing in the local league with FC Kopenhagen. Stephan Andersen is another one, who has played in some games for the country, but never really made the nr.1 gloves his own. The former Charlton stopper is now also back in the local league with Brondby. He was once rated as a hot prospect for the future, but while he's a good player, Sørensen can probably feel safe with his position. Especially with his club Stoke doing well in the Premier League.

Denmark and Greece ready for another surprise?

As we all remember Denmark infamously won the European Championships 1992 literally coming straight from their summer holidays. Greece have done the same. You would've been mad, if you'd predicted that Greece will win the EURO 2004, but they did. Could the two surprise the big guns again?

While Denmark won the EURO 1992, they're not a familiar name in the World Cup finals. They weren't there the last time out, in Germany, and actually reached the finals only 3 times before South Africa.

So you can see the players haven't got a lot of big stage experience, even though they always seem to show impressive play in the qualifying, but often miss out in the end. This time they had a awesome campaign, pushing powerhouse Portugal into the play-off and knocking out neighbours Sweden entirely.

While the players might not be the most experienced ones, the manager is. Morten Olsen himself was part of the Danish side for nearly 20 years from 1970-1989, playing over 100 matches. He's been the manager for quite some time now. 9 years is a lot in modern day football, especially internationally. He's been through thick and thin, seen all the up and down, it's now his duty to mould his side ready to perform in the big stage.

Greece is also lead by a legendary manager. German Otto Rehhagel delivered the EURO 2004 for the nation, not often reffered in a footballing sense, and the man is still in charge. His reign has now also stretch to quite a long one. He was appointed in 2001.

South Africa will only be the second one for Greece. Their debut was in USA 1994, which they ended goalless and pointless.

There's been quite a few changes since the EURO triumph, but there are still players, who were part of the success. Also a number of younger players are starting to make a name for themselves. And if striker Theofanis Gekas, who the top scorer in European zone in qualifying, can deliver the goals, Otto's Greece might surprise once again.