Italy look unimpressive in draw with Danes

Denmark's European Championship goal drought continued in a 0-0 draw against a disappointing Italy side today but they emerged with credit from their Group C opener in Guimaraes.

The Danes had the best of the possession and the chances in the first half against a nervy Italian side with Thomas Helveg twice going close.

The Italians, who will now be under pressure in their second game against Sweden on Friday, were brighter after the break but could not find a way past goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen.

The result means Denmark have now played four European championship finals matches without scoring after their poor showing in Euro 2000.

Although Italy had the first chance when Francesco Totti's powerful 25-metre free kick was tipped away by Sorensen, it was the Danes who took the initiative, pushing forward on the flanks and getting early control of the central midfield areas.

Italy keeper Gianluigi Buffon was pressed into action in the 16th minute, pushing over a left-foot drive from Helveg who had opened up space by cutting in from the right.

Denmark striker Jon Dahl Tomasson was making himself a nuisance for the Italian defence and, although he was booked in the 29th minute for diving, he went close with a flashing header four minutes later and then set up Helveg who fired just wide.

The best chances for both sides came right on the stroke of half-time with Sorensen making a great double save to foil Alessandro Del Piero and then Totti, both from close range.

At the other end the Danes could have gone in with a lead they probably deserved when Martin Joergensen's low shot forced a good save out of Buffon after good work from the lively Dennis Rommedahl down the right.

After surviving that scare at the end of a poor first half showing, the Italians were more determined and effective after the interval, creating two good openings straight away.

Totti produced a superb pass to put in Gianluca Zambrotta but the left-back shot harmlessly across the face of goal.

Then Zambrotta, pushing forward with more urgency, found Christian Vieri with a well delivered cross and Sorensen did well to push the striker's firm header over the bar.

Moments later Christian Panucci wasted a chance when, unattended by the Danish defence, he headed wide from a Totti corner.

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni brought on Gennaro Gattuso for Cristiano Zanetti in midfield and Antonio Cassano for the disappointing Del Piero as he looked to break the deadlock.

But Denmark almost caught them on the break when the pacey Rommedahl burst forward and was only stopped by a body check from Fabio Cannavaro which resulted in a deserved yellow card for the Italy captain.

The Danes went close to a winner in the 75th minute when Buffon did well to block a Tomasson shot and Rommedahl was unable to make the most of the rebound.

Trapattoni said his side had struggled during the game. "Finally the harsh reality of Euro 2004 has sunk in," Trapattoni told Italian television. "We really didn't read the game well at all in the first half. Things improved in the second but we missed our chances.

"We were too static, especially in the latter stages of the match when we started to fall off physically."

Trapattoni refused to be drawn on Italy's chances in the tournament. "Let's see what the other two teams in our group do tonight," he said, referring to the later match between Sweden and Bulgaria.

Filed by Aidan O'Doherty