England

'Swede dreams' for England

English players pose for photographers before the second round match Denmark/England of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan, 15 June 2002 at Niigata Big Swan Stadium. At right, captain and midfielder David Beckham. England defeated Denmark 3-0 to advance to the quarterfinal. From L above: Michael Owen, Sol Campbell, Emile Heksey, Danny Mills, David Seaman, Rio Ferdinand. From L bottom: Ashley Cole, Nicky Butt, Trevor Sinclair, Paul Scholes, David Beckham. AFP PHOTO DANIEL GARCIA

England last won a major tournament In 1966 at the World Cup they hosted, but with the arrival of coach Sven-Goran Erikkson optimism has rarely been higher.

The cool Swede took over an England team in a shambles back in September, 2000 in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat to arch rivals Germany, which had provoked the resignation of their manager Kevin Keegan.

However, since that miserable rainy day at Wembley England have lost only one competitive match under Erikkson, a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup.

While they regularly lose in friendlies to such unfashionable opposition as Australia or Denmark, as in recent months, they have a knack of saving their best performances for the big occasion.

There was the never-to-be-forgotten 5-1 demolition of Germany in Munich that paved the way for the 2002 World Cup qualification.

Then on the road to Euro 2004 they beat a talented Turkey team 2-0 at home before securing their ticket to Portugal with a professional draw in Istanbul in what can best be described as a hostile environment.

France present the major obstacle to England's progress from the first round of the Euro 2004 finals, a match France coach Jacques Santini described as a derby, while Sven Goran Ericksson said it would be 'difficult but beautiful. The draw was kinder to both of them when casting Croatia and Switzerland as the group's makeweights.

The importance of Beckham

The leader of Erikkson's side is undoubtedly their captain and football icon David Beckham, who since his move to Real Madrid from Manchester United has been playing some of his best ever football.

England's main weakness is a lack of depth.

As 'keeper David James now plays in the second division, his lack of regular top class football casts a long shadow and there is a serious lack of experience in defence should the likes of Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand fail to make the trip.

Chelsea's John Terry is an emerging talent, Ashley Cole and Gary Neville are the likely wing backs but after that, the England substitute bench fails to inspire much fear.

But if the likes of Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen as well as Paul Scholes and the emerging striker Wayne Rooney are fit, England look a formidable opponent capable of posing a challenge to the very best.

As Euro hosts in 1996 England lost on penalties to Germany in the semi-finals while defeats by Portugal and Romania saw them crash out at the first round at Euro 2000.

Factfile on England

Population

49.138 million

Area

129,720 sq. km

Capital

London

Currency

Sterling (the pound)

Federation

The Football Association created in 1863

Affiliated to FIFA

1905

Affiliated to UEFA

1954

Registered players

1,500,000

Colours

white shirts blue shorts white socks with red trim

Top clubs

Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle United

World Cup appearances

11 (1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002)

World Cup honours

Winners (1966), Semi-finalists (1990), Quarter-finalists (1954, 1962, 1970, 1986, 2002), Second round (1982, 1998)

European Championship appearances

7 (1968, 1980, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004)

European Championship honours

Semi-finalists (1968, 1996)

How they qualified

Finished top of Group 7 with 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws, 0 defeats, 14 goals for, 5 against), ahead of Turkey (19pts), Slovakia (10pts), Macedonia (6pts) and Liechtenstein (1pt)

Key players

David Beckham, Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell

Manager

Sven-Goran Eriksson