Greece climbs one spot in World Rankings

Greece’s recent victories over Luxembourg and Latvia were reflected on the monthly FIFA World Rankings by rising one spot to seventeenth. Greece, who sat eighth ahead of EURO 2008, was in a free fall ever since their poor showing at the quadrennial continental championships.

The top 10 seems miles away for Greece, especially with traditional powerhouses back to their winning ways. However, if Greece can continue to pull victories, the side that finished atop the EURO 2008 qualifying rankings could surely return to the top half of the top twenty.

Reputation seems to be on the mend for Greece. Recent performances to commence their World Cup Qualifying campaign proved the team that shocked the world four years ago is no pushover. Criticized heavily for their placement in the qualifiers, Greece’s National Team gets little respect with foreigners. With Moldova and Switzerland occupying the EURO 2004 winners for the next seven days, Greece is expected to come away with another six points to add to double their current tally.

FIFA Rankings:
1. Spain 1643
2. Italy 1365
3. Germany 1336
4. Brazil 1280
5. Netherlands 1258
6. Croatia 1223
7. Argentina 1200
8. Czech Republic 1111
9. Russia 1076
10. Portugal 1075
11. France 1035
12. Cameroon 1027
13. Turkey 1021
14. England 982
15. Bulgaria 969
16. Israel 961
17. Greece 945
18. Romania 927
19. Ukraine 893
20. Uruguay 887