First the good news: Becks is fit to train and Sven is delighted. Now the bad news: some England fans have decided to travel and Sven is not amused.
Despite pleas from the England coach himself, the players and FA officials, it's reported that several hundred 'supporters' have gone against the country's wishes and bought black market tickets.
Potentially, it is a recipe for disaster, one England cannot afford to happen, and Sven says: "As England coach, there is nothing I can do about it today, other than hope that nothing stupid happens."
On a lighter note, and back to the real issue of the football, Eriksson was delighted to report that David Beckham is training today and, barring a reaction, will be fit to lead the team tomorrow.
"He has been checked over by the experts and is in good shape to train; tomorrow he will be better," added the England coach, who knows how important it is to his skipper to be in the thick of the action.
Eriksson believes that Becks' passion and patriotism is not clouding the player's judgment, in relation to his fitness, and he says: "He always wants to play for England and is always proud to be captain.
"This is going to be a difficult game, we know that after what happened at Southampton, and it is important to have experienced players on the pitch. David, of course, is one of them."
Another is Michael Owen who, still only a youngster in terms of years, has already acquired a wealth of knowledge of the international scene and will again be a key figure for England tomorrow. As will Becks.
Between them, Beckham and Owen have scored 26 of the 58 goals England have produced during Eriksson's 30-match reign to date.
The Liverpool striker is expected to start alongside teenager Wayne Rooney in Skopje - and he's relishing the prospect of helping the youngsters, like Rooney, through what is sure to be a tricky test.
Just as Alan Shearer did for many years as England's first choice striker. Now it's Owen who carries that mantle, and he's loving every minute of it.
Far from being daunted by the challenge, he is positively reveling in it and insists: "It's a nice responsibility to have. If people do rely on me to score goals, then I'm pleased they think that way of me.
"If you're playing for England or Liverpool and you're a striker, then it's your job to do that. I feel that I've developed since those early days. Certainly Alan Shearer was a legend as far as England are concerned, with the service he gave the team over the years.
"He scored goals in the big games and you'd know, going into a World Cup, that Alan Shearer wouldn't let you down. You need players that play on the big stage. You look around our team and we've certainly got a lot of those."
England are missing a few as well, notably Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard; two big game players who have rarely let their country down when they have most needed to deliver.
Their absence makes it imperative that Becks does indeed start the game because there can be no price put on the leadership and inspiration he provides. As he has done so many times.
He's determined to be leading from the front tomorrow and after training for the first time since joining up with the squad he said: "We'll see how it goes but it's feeling good and hopefully it'll go well.
"I think I only tweaked the muscle but you have to be 100 per cent fit to play in these games. The work that's been done on my leg has been quite intense - I think it'll be okay.
"Everyone knows how important these games are for us, starting tomorrow. We're not underestimating Macedonia. They should have beaten Turkey and have been unlucky in a few games."
Beckham, who will probably line up in midfield alongside Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Nicky Butt and Kieron Dyer, added: "This is a very tricky tie whether we have the players who usually play or not. The players coming in can do the job. We are confident."
