England has failed to beat the Swedes in 11 football games since 1968.

That is including defeat in the 1992 European Championships and a draw at the World Cup group stage four years ago.

Arsenal hero Ljungberg, just one of the Swedish squad to ply their trade in English league football, is certain it is more than luck which has enabled his countrymen to maintain their jinx.

He said, ”Of course it’s not a coincidence. We usually perform well against England, because facing them and the way they play seems to suit us. We are used to it.”

Ljungberg featured in the 1-1 draw at the 2002 World Cup in Saitama, as well as helping the Swedes humble England 2-1 in Stockholm in the Euro 2000 qualifiers.

But with the two nations preparing to go head-to-head once more in Cologne on Tuesday, he has warned his teammates that Sven Goran Eriksson’s men are a better team than they were four years ago.

He declared, ”England have a tremendous starting line-up.”

Ljungberg was the hero as his late winner sank Paraguay last Thursday to keep Sweden in with a chance of topping Group B.

”I have played many important matches with a great atmosphere in my career but nothing even comes close to the atmosphere in Berlin. It was the most inspiring game of my life.”

Swedish striker Henrik Larsson has promised to gun down England in the big group decider.

Well… This fool certainly haven’t heard of this guy wearing the no.9 jersey who just made his return for England.

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