HANS Andersen will be hoping his Denmark team-mates can keep alive his hopes of featuring in the Speedway World Cup when event one kicks off today.

Denmark are poised to take on Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic on home shale in Vojens, a meeting Pirates star Andersen turned down the chance to race in.

Andersen elected to sit out the clash in order to attend the wedding of best friend Ronni Rosendal, with national boss Hans Nielsen taking an understanding approach.

However, the 35-year-old is keen to feature in a later round and could come into consideration, as could Poole team-mate Bjarne Pedersen.

In Andersen's absence, Niels-Kristian Iversen, Kenneth Bjerre, Michael Jepsen Jensen and Leon Madsen will endeavour to get the job done.

The Poland side includes former Pirates skipper Maciej Janowski as well as Patryk Dudek, Bartosz Zmarzlik and Piotr Pawlicki.

Australia, who include Poole duo Chris Holder and Brady Kurtz in their line-up, are set to begin their campaign at event two in Vastervik on Tuesday.

The Aussies are primed to take on reigning champions Sweden, the United States and Germany.

Great Britain have been seeded into the final, which is due to take place at Belle Vue a week today.