Arsenal's young Swedish midfielder Sebastian Larsson believes his countrymen are dark horses for World Cup glory this summer.
The Swedes are in England's group, along with Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago - and will come up against Sven-Goran Eriksson's men in Cologne on June 20.
By then, of course, both countries could have qualified for the knockout stages.
Sweden's preparations for the World Cup continued as they played out a goalless draw with Scandinavian rivals Finland last Thursday, and face South American outfit Chile in Stockholm later this week.
Larsson, 20, feels with the likes of Gunners team-mate Freddie Ljungberg and namesake Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson, the Swedes are genuine contenders to reach the last eight in Germany.
'If we get everything right and the players are fit I think we can definitely go through the group and who knows?' he declared.
'We can beat most teams if we have a good day.
'We have not got the biggest of squads so need all the big players to be fit - but if they are I think we can do well, quarter-finals maybe."
On the clash with England in Cologne, Larsson said: 'I hope the two teams are through by then.
'However, England have not beaten Sweden for 37 years now, so I hope that record is not going to go - but it is certainly going to be a cracker.'
Although not having made the Sweden squad for this summer's World Cup, Larsson, who turns 21 on June 6, knows time is still on his side.
The midfielder gained more valuable first-team experience with Arsenal last season, playing in both the Barclays Premiership and the Champions League - also even filling in as an emergency left-back during the Gunners' defensive crisis.
Larsson reflected: 'It has been a good season. I got a chance to play a few games in first team, which was brilliant, it is what you are aiming for.
'I feel my form is coming on at the moment.' Larsson told Arsenal TV Online: "I feel ready to step up and play regular first-team football at the highest level. 'I am ready to play a bigger part, it is what I am aiming for.'
