Not everyone was happy with a Swede at the helm of England's football team.
For followers of English football, defeat is a way of life. But however hard losing may be, the idea that a foreign coach could turn around England's fortunes was even more depressing.
At least that's how some sports commentators reacted to the appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson to the country's top sporting job.
Humiliation enough that a foreign coach has been drafted in to save football's mother country, but that he should be Swedish would appear to be a step too far for some.
"We've sold our birthright down the fjord to a nation of seven million skiers and hammer throwers who spend half their life in the dark," said the Daily Mail.
To the average Briton, hefty athletes and a shortage of daylight are only half the story. Sweden also stands for Vikings, Volvo cars, Abba, Ulrika Jonsson and flat-pack furniture.
Five straight wins out five later, including a maximum nine World Cup qualifying points, and we would happily throw Tony Blair into the Thames to be replaced by 'Our Sven'!
Roll on the Germans in September
My prediction (wt stylee)
England 4 Germany 2
Nic'
{ever hopeful}