In torrential rain at the brand new Waldstadion, which will hold five games at next summer’s World Cup, Brazil blitzed their South American rivals 4-1 with goals coming from Adriano (2), Kaka and Ronaldinho, and Grip couldn’t help but be impressed.

”It was a very open game,” he told TheFA.com, “with the individuals that both teams have, especially Brazil, if you give them too much space they can tear you apart. They have so much pace going forward.”

Two players in particular came in for praise. Unsurprisingly, Inter Milan forward Adriano stood out with a brace to add to his tournament top score tally of five, but an unfamiliar 25-year-old was hailed by Tord as one of the players of the competition.

”The right-back for Brazil, Cicinho, was very, very good,” he said.

“He’s currently playing for Sao Paulo and has been terrific during the whole tournament. He’s more or less like Cafu, one of the best right-sided defenders I’ve seen and I can see him coming to Europe to play.”

He added: “If you give Adriano the smallest of openings with his left foot, anything can happen. He can surprise teams with a powerful snapshot. For me he’s the classic centre-forward; good in the air, very strong and can hold the ball up extremely well.”

The depth of talent in Brazil is highlighted by the fact that Adriano, though aged 20, was not part of their squad the last time they faced England. In fact, only three members of the starting eleven on Wednesday were in the team that beat Sven’s men in the World Cup quarter-final in Shizuoka three years ago.

However, Tord also points out that in that time the Three Lions have unearthed some fantastic talent that have made England an even stronger, more experienced team.

”The last time we played against them in Japan they did have Ronaldinho, Lucio and Roque Junior. However, their team has changed quite a bit and I think they are just getting better.

”But I think we have improved as well, we have had some fantastic players coming through, players who are now regarded extremely highly around the whole of Europe.

”In the last three years, we have seen players like Frank Lampard of course, Wayne Rooney, Joe Cole, John Terry, Shaun Wright-Phillips. And we also missed Gary Neville and Steven Gerrard in Japan, so in every department we are getting better, we have a stronger team than the last World Cup.”

He added: “If we do qualify for Germany, it will no doubt be hard, but I certainly think that we have the quality to challenge the teams that I’ve seen. People in other countries regard England very highly with the squad we have nowadays.

”We have a lot of confidence within the team and a lot of respect around the world, so we must use that to our advantage.”

England now need to finish off the job of qualifying from Group Six to enter the draw for the finals in December and after a small taster this week of what will be in store next Summer, Tord is looking forward to the prospect of a return to Germany.

”I was in there in 1974 for their last World Cup, travelling around to see games for Sweden. That was very well organised then, so now with rebuilt and brand new stadiums it will be even better,” he said.

”The pitches are very good, the facilities are excellent; I think they will put on an excellent World Cup.”