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WORLD FOOTBALL

    England vs. Sweden: Three Lions Must Succeed Away from Wembley Before Euro 2012

    Nicholas Goss@@NicholasGoss35X.com LogoCorrespondent INovember 15, 2011

    LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 12: Theo Walcott of England avoids a tackle from Xabi Alonso of Spain during the international friendly match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium on November 12, 2011 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
    Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

    For Fabio Capello's England squad to be well prepared for Euro 2012 next summer they must establish winning success away from Wembley Stadium.

    Six of the last seven international friendlies for England have been played at Wembley in London. England always plays pretty well at home, but do not have that same success on foreign soil.

    The only time they have won the World Cup was in 1966, and that was in London.

    The Three Lions won't be playing in the World Cup on home soil for at least another decade, so they must prove to their country and most importantly themselves that they can succeed away from England.

    On November 12 England beat Spain 1-0 in a friendly at Wembley, and it was an impressive performance. Spain did not play their first team for an entire 90 minutes, but it was still a quality win for the Three Lions.

    Capello's squad faces Sweden at Wembley on Tuesday, which will not prove anything if they win. England should beat Sweden even with their "B" team.

    England vs. Sweden: Three Lions Must Succeed Away from Wembley Before Euro 2012
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    The last time England faced someone away from home they tied Montenegro 2-2 in a Euro 2012 qualifying match.

    England simply do not have the composure to win important matches away from home.

    When Wayne Rooney got a red card against Montenegro, he damaged his country's hopes of advancing past the knockout stages of Euro 2012.

    I'm not saying that the reason Rooney made a tackle on a Montenegro player that resulted in a red card and three-game ban was because England was away from home, but that sort of stuff rarely happens at Wembley.

    England has never won the European Championships and have not even finished second. However, they have a quality team right now, with a nice blend of youth and experience.

    They will not succeed to their expectations at Euro 2012 next summer unless they test themselves by playing away from Wembley and beat quality footballing nations.

    England should challenge the likes of Germany, France and Portugal away from London before next summer.

    Succeeding away from Wembley will give England valuable confidence and experience that will benefit them at Euro 2012.