Denmark played what their coach Bo Johansson described as a perfect match on Saturday to thrash Israel 5-0 and effectively earn a place in the Euro 2000 finals next year.

"Often you don't know what will happen in football. Today my men played perfectly," Johansson said afterwards.

A second-minute goal by Jon Dahl Tomasson set the side on their way, leaving Israel with scant hope of making a game of it during the return play-off leg in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Tomasson was put through by striker Ebbe Sand and he shot low to the right of Israel goalkeeper Dudu Awat whose outstretched hands failed to make contact with the ball.

Tomasson made it 2-0 in the 35th minute when he was again given too much space in the Israeli area and had enough time to pick his spot.

Israel coach Shlomo Scharf tried to change tack, bringing on Yossi Benayoun for Yossi Abuksis and Idan Tal for the rusty Ran Ben Shimon in the 37th minute, but it proved to be a hopeless cause.

Haim Revivo's sending-off in the 58th minute sounded the death knell for the Israelis and allowed the Danes to relax a little. Revivo, one of the mainstays of the Israeli team, brought down Chelsea defender Jes Hogh from behind and English referee David Elleray had no hesitation in reaching for the red card. Stig Toefting marked his return from injury with a cracking goal from a free-kick. A minute later, the crowd of 45,000 began dispersing when Martin Jorgensen headed a high ball over the advancing Awat and into the net.

Brian Steen Nielsen sealed the result with a powerful shot from the right in the 73rd minute.

Israel coach Shlomo Scharf denied that he would be stepping down after the match on Wednesday. "I am not personally responsible for this result and I will continue in my role," he said.