Post by Taxigirl on Jun 7, 2004 9:03:56 GMT
euro2004.skysports.com/LIST.ASP?HLID=207210&CLID=&LID=1071
Sven Goran Eriksson believes England's demolition of Iceland on Saturday will have fired out a warning to the rest of the teams at Euro 2004.
The Three Lions came into the game in indifferent form, having drawn with Japan in midweek, but they gelled on Saturday as the Scandinavian nation were put to the sword.
Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney was in particularly good form and Eriksson feels the competition's big guns will now be wary of England.
"I think other countries should look at us and be apprehensive. England is a big football country and we have a lot of extremely good players," said Eriksson.
"I suppose that when Italy or France make a big result, we in England would look at them and be impressed and I think it's the same looking at us.
"We've only won this friendly tournament but it's good for confidence.
"Other countries know we can play well. We've shown that many, many times by winning games. In the three years I've been in charge, we've only lost one competitive game."
Eriksson opted to deploy Paul Scholes in the problematic left-hand side of midfield and the Swede had words of praise for the Manchester United man.
"He has such quick feet and his technique and vision are incredible," said Eriksson.
"We don't have another player who has the characteristics Paul has. He's special, like Steven Gerrard and David Beckham."
Eriksson also had an eye on off-field events, by warning England's following not to misbehave in Portugal.
"Violence and disorder involving England fans has clouded past tournaments and it must not happen again," he stressed. "If there are any serious incidents of anti-social behaviour, then we risk expulsion from Euro 2004.
"Self-policing is perhaps the most powerful weapon in the fight against hooliganism. And I know that the huge majority of decent England fans want nothing at all to do with violence.
"It would be a tragedy, not only for the team but for millions of England fans, if events off the pitch denied them a chance of glory."
Sven Goran Eriksson believes England's demolition of Iceland on Saturday will have fired out a warning to the rest of the teams at Euro 2004.
The Three Lions came into the game in indifferent form, having drawn with Japan in midweek, but they gelled on Saturday as the Scandinavian nation were put to the sword.
Teenage sensation Wayne Rooney was in particularly good form and Eriksson feels the competition's big guns will now be wary of England.
"I think other countries should look at us and be apprehensive. England is a big football country and we have a lot of extremely good players," said Eriksson.
"I suppose that when Italy or France make a big result, we in England would look at them and be impressed and I think it's the same looking at us.
"We've only won this friendly tournament but it's good for confidence.
"Other countries know we can play well. We've shown that many, many times by winning games. In the three years I've been in charge, we've only lost one competitive game."
Eriksson opted to deploy Paul Scholes in the problematic left-hand side of midfield and the Swede had words of praise for the Manchester United man.
"He has such quick feet and his technique and vision are incredible," said Eriksson.
"We don't have another player who has the characteristics Paul has. He's special, like Steven Gerrard and David Beckham."
Eriksson also had an eye on off-field events, by warning England's following not to misbehave in Portugal.
"Violence and disorder involving England fans has clouded past tournaments and it must not happen again," he stressed. "If there are any serious incidents of anti-social behaviour, then we risk expulsion from Euro 2004.
"Self-policing is perhaps the most powerful weapon in the fight against hooliganism. And I know that the huge majority of decent England fans want nothing at all to do with violence.
"It would be a tragedy, not only for the team but for millions of England fans, if events off the pitch denied them a chance of glory."