Niclas Alexandersson holds fond memories of the last time Sweden met England on the world stage. The setting was Saitama, Japan and Sweden were trailing in their opening game of the 2002 FIFA World Cup to Sol
Campbell's first-half header.
With 59 minutes on the clock, however, the ball landed at his feet from Danny Mills' rash clearance, and from well outside the penalty box he returned it with interest. His fierce drive left David Seaman for dead and suddenly the Swedes found their spark, as they proceeded to progress from a tough group that also included Argentina and Nigeria before succumbing to Senegal in the Round of 16.
"Of course, it's a big memory for me," Alexandersson told FIFAworldcup.com. "It was my first ever World Cup game. England dominated the first half but after my goal we came back and took over and could have won the game. It was a nice feeling to get the goal. It felt like a turning point."
After that 1-1 draw, Sweden got the better of England by topping the group on goals scored. They will need to beat compatriot Sven-Goran Eriksson's side in Cologne on Tuesday if they are to repeat the feat, although a draw would also guarantee their place in the Round of 16 as Group B runners-up.
According to Alexandersson, however, facing England today represents a tougher assignment than it did four years ago. Sweden may be "more experienced" but Eriksson's team has become "a lot more solid, especially in midfield". He continued: "They look much stronger now with two players, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, who come through and score goals as well."
England's starting lineup is also expected to include a player Alexandersson knows only too well, Wayne Rooney. A former Everton player, Alexandersson replaced a tiring Rooney on the then 16-year-old's senior debut and witnessed the youngster's emergence at first hand.
"You could tell that he was an exceptional talent," said Alexandersson, now playing back in Sweden with IFK Gothenburg. "I've never seen a 16-year-old come into a big club and do so well straight away. For me the only question was whether he could handle the pressure that came with it but he seems to have handled that very well and become a better player with every year."
For all England's star names, the Swedes will certainly not be daunted by opponents they have not lost to since 1968. Asked to explain this remarkable 11-match run, Alexandersson said: "It's hard to put your finger on why that is but we always feel like the underdog going into the game.
"It doesn't matter how well we've done before. We know the England players in Sweden, they show a lot of English football on TV and everyone expects it to be a very hard game. Because of that we've raised our game a bit."
"We know this is a new game, though. The record won't help, but we're certainly more confident after beating Paraguay and we will be looking to get the point we need to go through. After the first game against Trinidad and Tobago (a 0-0 draw), the mood was a little bit down but the win against Paraguay was a big boost for the whole team."
Sweden beat Paraguay only through Freddie Ljungberg's solitary late strike and this after the stalemate with T&T. Despite their struggles to score, Alexandersson says they are "creating chances" and points to another positive: "We have not conceded a goal yet and as long as you don't concede goals, then you have a chance."
Curiously for those who remember Alexandersson's days patrolling the right wing in English football ¡V and for fans of IFK too ¡V his pride in the Swedes' defensive record befits his new role as a full-back in the team. The 34-year-old admitted it took some getting used to: "It's only with the national team that I play right-back and for the first few games I didn't feel I had the experience, but with every game I've felt it's getting better and better." Whether it keeps him out of shooting range of the England goal remains to be seen.
