Bendtner: We'll try and win it

Can one man carry the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders on a stage as daunting as the FIFA World Cup™? Well, if anyone can do so for Denmark at South Africa 2010, it is surely Nicklas Bendtner.

Undoubtedly the biggest outfield name the country has boasted since Preben Elkjaer-Larsen and the Laudrup brothers, the Arsenal forward now hopes to headline another Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, resembling the one that was written in 1992, when Richard Moller Nielsen’s unsung youngsters immortalised themselves by winning the UEFA European Championship.

Bendtner was undoubtedly at the front of the queue when self-confidence was dished out. But, especially this season, the 22-year-old has validated his talk with some outstanding performances. Indeed, his hat-trick in the Gunners’ victory over Porto in the UEFA Champions League and his crucial goal for Morten Olsen's team a 1-1 draw with Portugal in South Africa 2010 qualifying suggested he has the talent to illuminate the global finals. FIFA.com caught up with Bendtner in London to discuss Denmark’s first-phase opponents and ambitions for the tournament.

FIFA.com: Nicklas, what are your expectations for South Africa 2010?
Nicklas Bendtner: I expect that we will go there and have a great campaign. If we don’t qualify from our group it will be a huge disappointment. What happens if we qualify for the next phase is impossible to say. Judging from the match schedule, it looks as if we might play against Italy in the last 16, and to face the reigning world champions would of course be a major test for us.