The odds are fairly stacked against Ireland in the European men's tennis championship at Marsa in Malta. Denmark provide the opposition for Peter Wright's team when play gets under way today.

Belgium and Poland have the highest world ranked players in the so called "white" group but fortunately, Ireland share one of the two mini-groups with Malta and Denmark. The winners of the group face the winners of the other mini-group in the final on Saturday. "Our big match for the moment will be against Denmark today. We will have an edge in experience and have a good chance, in what should be a close match, of setting ourselves up to compete for a final place against a weak Malta." Scott Barron returns following a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury strengthens prospects.

Owen Casey is back into the driving seat as Ireland's number one singles player. Although retired from the professional circuit Casey warrants the number one spot ahead of Barron whose ranking took a battering over almost five months of inactivity.

Casey is happy to be at the head of affairs and reacts best whenever the challenge is strongest. The Dubliner meets Kaspar Warming while Barron whose form will be watched with interest takes on Jan Tribler, ranked outside the 1,000 mark. In terms of world rankings against the Danes it's clearly a case of advantage Ireland but the very fast court could be a huge factor.