THE man Sam Allardyce calls his "pocket battleship" has promised England "the game of their life" when the countries clash in the last 16 of the World Cup.

One of Stig Tofting's abiding memories is as a 13-year-old watching Denmark beat England at Wembley in a European Championship qualifier in 1983.

Now the 32-year-old's dreams of meeting England in the finals of a major competition have become reality with the teams second round clash on Saturday lunchtime.

The Wanderers midfielder, so dominant in Denmark's 2-0 destruction of France, said: "I wanted us to play England, as firstly we wanted a European team and secondly I play in the Premiership so I know the English.

"They are a very clever team, especially against Argentina where they deserved to win, but it will help us knowing a lot about them.

"The whole world will be focused on the game, and we will make sure we give England the game of their life.

"Games against England are always special. I remember when Denmark beat England 1-0 at Wembley to qualify for the 1984 European Championships. I went mad with joy, celebrating with all my friends, and now we have a chance to beat them again but this time in the World Cup."

Tofting believes the Danes pose as much threat as the side which went out in the quarter-finals to Brazil in France 98, even though some star players have hung up their boots.

He added: "We are more like a team now than we have been in the past. In the past it was too easy for us to give the ball to the Laudrup brothers and let them try to do something, now we play together more.

"In Thomas Sorensen too we have a great keeper - this World Cup he has looked like Peter Schmeichel in his younger days, and Jon Dahl Tomasson is showing everyone what a great striker he is."