Football: The double life of a ferocious competitor

Ian Stafford talks to Peter Schmeichel, who is the rock behind Denmark's European Championship defence

We have only known each other for a few minutes, but this does not prevent Peter Schmeichel, the Danish goalkeeper hoping to help his country retain the European Championship title, from standing in front of me and dropping his trousers. His body towers over me as he insists that I should take a good look.

We are sitting in one of the plush boxes overlooking a mercifully empty Old Trafford stadium. As no doubt Steve Bruce, now with Birmingham City, and Gary Pallister, will confirm, when the blond inspiration between the posts shouts an order, you tend to obey. In case you were wondering, the focus of attention was not to be his boxer shorts, but a hideous bruise covering most of his thigh, obtained during Manchester United's championship- winning game at Middlesbrough the other week.

I had just suggested to the softly-spoken and likeable Dane that his on-pitch manner was in stark contrast to his general demeanour. For example, I continued, you gave Jan Age Fjortoft a fearful verbal volley for a challenge that was a bit late.

"I don't think it was a bit late," Schmeichel began. "I think it was disgracefully late. Andy Gray slaughtered me on TV for my reaction, but I had caught the ball when Fjortoft's foot hit me. I just have to show you what I mean." And with that the man who has won everything in the English game, as well as a European Cup-Winners' Cup winner's medal, revealed himself. Point taken.

He does admit however that he can be just a weeny bit grumpy in a game. "It's my way of feeding my energy into my concentration," he says, shrugging his shoulders in acknowledgement of my accusation. "I even do it in training although, believe me, Bruce and Pallister are no angels either. Don't forget, you only ever get to see me shouting at them because, when they do it to me, their backs are turned. Being a goalkeeper means you have to concentrate all the time, but I don't go around in everyday life abusing people. It is like I am two different people."

While Eric Cantona has taken the lion's share of accolades, Alex Ferguson has made a point this season of underlining what a crucial role his goalkeeper has played in what turned out to be a second, double-winning campaign. Schmeichel has much preferred being called upon this time to produce the heroics rather than watch as an almost innocent bystander in previous years.

"It's been a lot better for me," he admitted. "Other seasons I've gone 20 minutes without making a save and that, believe it or not, makes it a lot harder for you to concentrate. This time, though, I've been a lot more active. It took a little time for the youngsters to settle down and there were times when the more experienced players in the team had to play out of their skins to pull us through."

As he talks he lazes in his chair. For a man whose head seems likely to explode on the pitch, he is remarkably laid back, a characteristic he believes he has picked up since arriving in England from Brondby as an already well-established international.

"It's the biggest thing I've discovered since being in this country," he explained. "I'm definitely more experienced, but the fact that I can do what I please, and still enjoy my privacy, has given me the ability to relax."

What else, then, has he learned from plying his trade in the Premiership, the once derided home of British football which has now been transformed into the end of the rainbow for many of Europe's top stars?

"For a start it took a little time to get used to how physical the game is over here. Every time I went for a cross someone would charge into me. I was never scared but I had to adjust to this new experience because in Denmark, with my size, nobody ever challenged me.

"The other thing that got me was the pace. It still does. Every time I have a friend from Denmark staying with me - and I always have guests in my house - they are amazed by the tempo of the game over here.

"Contrary to what I've read, I never felt there was a lack of skill in England. It was just that it needed the likes of Cantona - and especially Cantona - to produce an extra dimension, an extra edge. Players like Gullit and Bergkamp have produced similar effects.What they and Eric have done is provide flair which has made everyone sit up and watch."

Schmeichel, like many of his other European colleagues now playing in the Premiership, is lucid and speaks with a great deal of intelligence. He, unfortunately, is in stark contrast to many of his English contemporaries. "Ah, well," he begins, in a kind of explanation. "I saw this programme on television the other night all about Sting. He said that only footballers and rock musicians have no brains. I thought that was brilliant."

Sting (together with the Manchester United team of the late 1970s) is a hero of the music loving, and musical, Dane, who helped pen the Danish squad's song for the European Championship, and who spends most of his spare time in a recording studio writing music and words.

The 32-year-old son of a Polish professional pianist, whose Danish mother also played piano and sang, formed a group as a small boy called "Gasoline," performing in the back of the coach taking his football team home from away games. "I used to play the guitar and sing. I don't sing any more, though, not since I realised it was not one of my strengths. But I'm getting back into the guitar again."

His love of music will have to be placed on hold, however, while he deals with the small matter of trying to defend the European title. "I can't believe how strong the teams are this time," he said. "There really are no clear favourites. I reckon any one of about eight teams could end up as champions."

Does that include England? "Oh yes, absolutely. Terry Venables is finding the right formula. I don't think this trip to the Far East was necessary, but they have a strong team. If he can get England to peak, coupled with what will be a clear advantage of playing at home, then England must have a chance."

Just about the only team people are not suggesting can win the title is, ironically, the champions themselves. That suits Schmeichel down to the ground. "We're the lowest- profile defending champions ever," he said. "And you know something? That's fine with us.

"Don't forget four years ago we didn't have any star names, but played some great football. When I watched a replay of our semi-final against Holland, I couldn't believe how well we played. I was shocked, surprised and very proud to have played in that game."

One thing is sure. Sooner or later some poor Danish central defender will receive the most dreadful, televised ear-bashing from the man with over 80 caps to his name. "True," Schmeichel said. "But afterwards I will become the other man again."

With or without his trousers on...