England are determined to end their decades-long jinx against Sweden tonight in a Group D en-counter which has assumed must-win status for both sides.
Sweden’s opening 2-1 defeat to Ukraine on Monday means that Erik Hamren’s team will be eliminated if they lose to England, who have never beaten the Scandinavians in a competitive fixture.
Ukraine’s win has complicated matters for England, however, who must beat Sweden in Kiev if they are to avoid the possible daunting scenario of having to beat the co-hosts in their final group game next week to advance.
Sweden have endured a period of soul-searching following their loss to the Ukrainians, with Hamren warning his team would face an early flight home if the performance was repeated against England.
“In the first-half of the match against Ukraine there were only maybe five or six players who answered the call to duty, and that is not good enough and cannot be repeated,” Hamren said.
England, by contrast, have returned to their southern Poland training base at Krakow in relatively good spirits after their opening 1-1 draw with France.
Upbeat mood
While their defensive display against the French failed to win many points for artistic impression, the mood within the English camp is upbeat after a performance that pleased captain Steven Gerrard.
“We need to get three points against Sweden and then the point against France becomes very important,” he said.
“The Swedes are difficult and I don’t think we’ve beaten them for a long time in a competitive game.
“We will respect them but, with all respect, it’s a game we should win.”
England beat Sweden 1-0 in a home friendly last year but have never beaten them in a competitive fixture, with the Swedes winning twice and drawing five times in seven previous meetings.
Manager Roy Hodgson admits England’s biggest challenge will be to ensure his players get adequate rest.
The biggest questions surround the recovery time of his two 30-something central midfielders, Gerrard and Scott Parker.
Whether those two players can reproduce that level of performance against Sweden and then Ukraine four days later will be critical to England’s chances.
“That’s the big question,” Hodgson said.
“I don’t think I will be the only coach here asking that about his players but obviously those two are both over 30 years of age, they both had to work really, really hard.
“But what we’ve got to make certain of, is that other people are ready to go in there and do exactly the same job.”