England’s preparations for the finals begin in earnest today as Sven's men begin tactical training at their new training base in Hertfordshire.

Then there is a B international against Belarus on Thursday, a match in which the likes of Michael Owen and Theo Walcott could both play.

But Neville also expects to see a penalty practice session in training at some stage in the next week.

He is all too aware that the Three Lions went out of three of the last four major tournaments in shoot-outs, against Germany in Euro 96, Argentina in the World Cup of 1998 and Portugal in Euro 2004.

"We've got to prepare for them," he insisted. "If we're not prepared for them this time, then I don't think we ever will be.

"We've had so many bad experiences with penalties: Argentina in '98, Germany '96, Portugal in 2004. It's no good us turning around after this tournament if we get knocked out by penalties - we know about it now.

"We know it's probably going to come to penalties in one of the four knockout games if we're going to go far in this tournament, and we've got to deal with it.

"It's not just about luck, penalties, it's about nerve and quality - and we have to be ready."

Neville is also determined to succeed in Germany because it could well turn out to be the last World Cup of his career.

He said: "Is this my best chance to win a World Cup or my last? Well, both I think! I've got to realistically think that at the age of 35, to be playing in the next World Cup would be tough.

"There is a chance, don't get me wrong, but I'm here now and this is definitely the best chance and could be my last as well.

"There are no excuses for anybody. We've talked about this being a tournament that England are going to do well in for six years now.

"Certainly since 2002, we’ve said that this group of players would be at their peak in 2006. So wherever we get this time is a measure of this team.

Don't get me wrong, it can go on to win in 2008 and 2010, but it would have a different set of players, a different backbone to it. This for me is the peak for this team.

"The ones below us are at a good age as well, the Lampards, the Ferdinands, the Terrys, the Owens, they're all that really good age. So there can be no excuses this tournament for us.

"No bad decisions, no missed penalty, no poor performance. They're things you have to cope with. You have to take the opportunities when they come.

"The make or break moments in this tournament we have to make our own. And if we don't, we'll come home and we'll be a nearly team. It's as simple as that. So we have to be ready for everything."