Like their hosts, Denmark will be using their two friendly internationals against Bermuda as preparation for an upcoming tournament.

Bermuda have their sights set on the Caribbean Cup in May, while the Denmark under-23s will be back in action in March trying to become one of four European teams to qualify for the 2000 Olympics.

So far in the Olympic qualifiers, Denmark have beaten Belarus 2-0, drawn 2-2 with Wales and lost to Switzerland 0-2.

Presently Denmark are second in the group standings. The fifth team in the group are Italy who they play on March 27.

There are nine groups in Europe, from which the group winners and seven best runners-up will advance to the next qualifying round.

Technical Director of football in Denmark and coach of the under-23s, Jen Poulsen, concedes that his team need some improving if they are to achieve their Olympic goal.

"We've lost one, drawn one and won one, so we're not entirely satisfied,'' said Poulsen yesterday.

"In the one we drew against Wales we missed two penalties and that's quite expensive. The one we lost against Switzerland we played quite well and were a bit unlucky. We lost 2-0 and they got their last goal in injury time.'' The Danish youngsters had a busy international programme in 1998, beating Scotland 2-1, Norway 3-0 and the Czech Republic 5-0 while losing 1-3 to Finland and 0-1 to the Argentine Olympic team last month in Buenos Aires.

The majority of the players here for matches against the Bermuda national team tomorrow at Wellington Oval and Tuesday night at BAA Field are professionals in Denmark. The two exceptions are Martin Laursen who is with Italian club Hellas Verona and goalkeeper Morten Hyldgaard who has just signed a four-year contract with English Premier League side, Coventry City.

Another player who could join the list of players in England is Peter Degn, an exciting striker who has just completed trials with First Division team, Bolton Wanderers. Two players on the books of crack Dutch team, Ajax, were unable to make the trip to Bermuda.

Mikkel Jensen is one of the key players in the under-23s, having played in the European Champions League for Brondby this season when they defeated German team Bayern Munich 2-1.

"He's been in a few times but he's not a regular in the team,'' said the coach.

Midfielder Brian Priske is another exciting player in Danish football, having commanded one of the highest ever Danish transfer fees (five million Danish Kronas) when he was sold to AaB this season.

Hoping to match his brother's feats is another midfielder, Mads Jorgensen, whose brother, Martin, scored in Denmark's 1-0 win over Brazil in the last World Cup.