Sven-Goran Eriksson believes that England "are ready" to make their mark on the 2002 World Cup finals as he revealed the hunger in the squad to succeed on football's biggest stage.

Eriksson will go into the opening game with Sweden confident that the blend of youth and experience plus an unwavering unity and spirit can help England live up to the demands of the nation back home when they tune in tomorrow morning.

That expectation level has seldom dropped among supporters since England's stunning 5-1 victory over Germany last September effectively sealed their place in the finals and showed the potential Eriksson has at his disposal. The Swede knows it is unrealistic to expect that level of performance in every game and England will enter the tournament on the back of just one victory in their last seven matches.

But those were predominantly friendlies when the edge was lacking, crammed in between crucial Cham-pions League and Premier-ship matches, and Eriksson believes his squad have the ability to make their mark during the next month.

He regards Sunday's game as the biggest of his illustrious managerial career as England look to end their 34-year run without a victory spanning nine games against his native country.

Eriksson said: "Every coach says they never have long enough to prepare! But we are ready for the World Cup now it is here and the England players are very hungry to succeed and do well.

"If you are not hungry for the World Cup, then you should pack your bags and go home anyway but there is also a freshness about the team with many of them not having played in a big tournament before.

"You sense that they want to do well and I am very optimistic. I have always said that if we were ready then I thought we would do very well.

"There is a great spirit so far which I hope will continue to the end of the tournament.