Nancy outshines Sven at charity awards bash

SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON’S partner Nancy Dell’Olio stole the England coach’s thunder as the couple arrived at a charity awards ceremony yesterday.

The national team boss arrived at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in central London to dish out the Variety Club awards to a host of big names, including Newcastle boss Bobby Robson, Arsenal ace Thierry Henry, television pundit Alan Hansen and Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

But his partner, Ms Dell’Olio, stole the show when she arrived wearing a stunning black dress with a plunging neckline and bedecked in jewellery.

The Italian lawyer, who earlier this week gave a revealing interview on her boyfriend’s affair with Ulrika Jonsson, sent the flashbulbs popping.

Eriksson, not for the first time, allowed his partner to dominate the limelight.

The England boss, who took time out from preparations for Wednesday’s Euro 2004 qualifier with Slovakia to present the awards, talked about Swedish football but refused to answer questions about his own team.

Moments earlier, he found time to tip his home nation to reach the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

Talking to Swedish television, Eriksson said: “I’m here today to present the prizes.

“They’re doing very well and I would think they’ll be at Euro 2004,” he said.