Team News: Northern Ireland

Tom Cruise has pulled off a few in his time but Northern Ireland’'s mission if they choose to accept it is to beat both Denmark and Spain in their final two games.

Nigel Worthington's team may face a difficult task but not quite out of the realms of Tolkien fantasy. Credit due it was only a few years ago when the national side was a running joke. Yes, that was then when it was more likely to find a Victoria Beckham hit record then see the team score a goal. But times have changed and the current crop of players have already proved they are no longer bottom of the food chain.

After a demoralising 3-0 home defeat by Iceland in the opening game the omens did not look good. But victories over Spain and Sweden and a draw against Norway proved that the team can mix it with the best of them.

In the form of David Healy Northern Ireland have the competition's leading goal scorer. The Leeds man has claimed twelve goals to date and many an Irish prayer may rest on the likeable Irishman's shoulders.

Even if Northern Ireland do win their final two games they will have still have to rely on other matches going their way to complete their Mission Impossible.