England won't lose to avoid Germany says Lampard

BUHLERTAL, Germany, June 17 (Reuters) Midfielder Frank Lampard said today that England would not play to lose their final group game against Sweden just to avoid World Cup hosts Germany in the second round.

England would face the host nation if Germany failed to beat Group A leaders Ecuador and Group B leaders England avoided defeat by the Swedes on Tuesday.

Lampard and England will already know the Germany result as their game kicks off five hours later.

''In top level football, I think it's impossible to go into a game considering getting a negative result out of it,'' Lampard told a news conference at the team's training base.

''It wouldn't be good. I think you'd be letting yourself down, letting the fans down and also everyone watching the game.

I don't think the professionals on the pitch would do that.'' Asked if the Swedes might take it easy to ensure they finish second if needed to avoid Germany, Lampard countered: ''Then they risk Trinidad&Tobago coming second and knocking them out. They have to try.'' Sweden have four points to the Soca Warriors' one.

SURPRISE TEAM Lampard had no preference for their second round opponents, saying: ''Germany are a strong side with the home nation behind them. Ecuador have probably been a surprise team playing some great football.'' Fellow midfielder Steven Gerrard agreed.

''A lot of people are saying we'd prefer to play Ecuador instead of Germany but I've watched Ecuador play in this tournament and they're playing really well,'' he said.

''Whoever we play, it's going to be difficult but we're confident we can progress to the quarter-finals.'' In the meantime, England face an opponent on Tuesday they have not beaten since 1968.

Gerrard, who captained England when they lost 1-0 to Sweden in a Euro 2004 warm-up game in Gothenburg, is anxious to wipe the slate clean.

GREAT MOMENT ''It was a great moment to be given the armband against Sweden but the result wasn't very good,'' he said. ''It ruined a bit of a dream day to be honest.

''I think it's about time we put a stop to this Sweden thing and that we go out on Tuesday and get a win against them. We're really confident that we can get three points.'' Ending the 38-year unsuccessful run against the home nation of England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would also be special for Lampard, who turns 28 on match day.

''It's a nice day to have a birthday and a game,'' he said.

''All my family are coming over for it and there would be no better present than to score and, more importantly, to be part of a good team performance and a good result.'' REUTERS MP RN2256