Goalkeeper Jack Butland insists England are far better placed than two years ago to progress to the European Championship semi-finals and beyond.
The Young Lions have made it to a fifth straight finals, but they could be set for a third successive group-stage exit.
The Under-21s have not won at the finals for six years and last time out returned home from Israel without so much as a point, having lost to Italy, Norway and the hosts.
This year's edition has started in a similar vein with another 1-0 opening-game defeat to a European powerhouse, this time Portugal, to set-up a must-win match against Scandinavian opposition.
Sweden lie in wait at the Andruv Stadion in Olomouc, but Butland, a veteran of the 2013 tournament, believes Gareth Southgate's side are far better placed than their predecessors.
"This is different because we put in a performance," the captain said of the Portugal loss.
"In the first group game two years ago, that wasn't the case. We should have got something from the Portugal game. We didn't deserve to beat Italy.
"We are not ashamed to have lost like that. It hurts, of course it does, but we didn't lose in an embarrassing way. We were in the game for 90 minutes. We could have quite easily got something."
Butland said the players have "got to take heart" out of the manner of their display in Uherske Hradiste and, like his team-mates, has focused on the positives.
The goalkeeper does, though, freely admit the build-up to the Portugal match was far from ideal, with key men John Stones and Saido Berahino ruled out.
The latter has returned home with a knee complaint and Stones will again be missing against Sweden after suffering suspected concussion during a collision with Butland.
"We feel for them because they are a massive part of the squad," he said.
"A number of players could have played and we have confidence in the squad. They wouldn't be here otherwise.
"We would back anyone who plays. Jesse (Lingard) started, (Alex) Pritchard came on. They both produced.
"We have got no regrets and cannot have any excuses. We were gutted to lose those guys, but Stonesy will be back and we push on."
Source: PA
