Emil Hollander (with ball) and Martin Jacobsen are among 11 Danish teenagers who spent two weeks in Plainfield learning to become better basketball players. -- Joe Vitti / The Star   How we compare Here's how Denmark compares with Indiana: • Population: Denmark, 5.4 million; Indiana, 6.1 million. • Area: Denmark, 16,640 square miles; Indiana, 36,420 square miles. • Largest city: Denmark, Copenhagen with 1.8 million metropolitan area; Indiana, Indianapolis with 1.5 million metropolitan area. • Per capita income: Denmark, $32,079; Indiana, $20,397.

International basketball has become a summer tradition at Plainfield High School.

For about a decade, basketball coach Dana Greene has welcomed young players from other countries into his gym.

This year's group came from Denmark. A group of 13- and 14-year-old boys from the Scandinavian country ended its two-week visit Thursday.

"It's a good experience for their kids, and our kids get to play more," Greene said.

This marked the third consecutive year that a team from Denmark's Koge Club has come to Plainfield for training. The team visited as part of the International Sports Exchange, a not-for-profit organization run by Plainfield resident Kermit Davis, former head football coach at Plainfield. That group pays Greene to run the camp.

The 11 Danish players, who will be eighth-graders this fall, spent eight practice days in Plainfield and attended a Super Hoops camp and tournament with the Plainfield teams last week at DePauw University.

"We bring them here to learn to play better basketball," said team leader Joergen Kot.

Danish schools don't have basketball programs. All players learn from clubs.

Denmark's basketball fortunes have not been rising as quickly as those of some other European countries, Davis said.

"They come here to Indiana because of its reputation (for basketball)," Davis said.

Previous contingents from England and Mexico have visited Plainfield.

Jeppe Andersen, a 14-year-old Dane, enjoyed the experience at DePauw.

"The Super Hoops camp was fun. We learned a lot," he said.

The Danish squad lost all 10 games at the Super Hoops tournament.

"But it was a good experience, and they learned much," Kot said.

Greene agreed.

"They got better," Greene said. "These kids are 13 and 14, and the kids they were playing were probably 14 and some 15 years old."

During the practice days at Plainfield, Greene and his staff worked with the Danish players for two hours in the morning. Then Plainfield Middle School players joined them in the afternoon.

The boys played scrimmages, sometimes with the squads mixed.

"It helps both of us out," said Greene, whose son, Riley, will be a seventh-grader. "They're playing with each other. They're getting along with each other. They're learning how to play together as a team."

The Danish youngsters took time for more than just basketball.

Davis said the trip is intended as a strong cultural experience. Players stay in Plainfield homes for three nights and visit several area attractions.

The group went to Kings Island amusement park near Cincinnati, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, an Indiana Fever game, the Nike All-America boys basketball camp and an Indianapolis Indians baseball game.

The Indians game represented a unique experience for them, Greene said.

"They have no idea how to play baseball," Greene said. "They don't know what makes an out. They don't know strikes or balls. So that was a great experience for them."

Shopping was a priority, too.

"They like to buy the (athletic) shoes, that's the big item because they're so expensive over there," Greene said. "We think it's ridiculous that shoes cost $100, but to them that's cheap."

Call Star reporter Mark Ambrogi at 1-317-272-4406.

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