Greece slips to 18th in World Rankings

FIFA released its annual FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings on Wednesday, and to no surprise the Greek National Team slipped one spot to fall to eighteenth place in the monthly rankings. After beating Moldova 3-0 at home, Greece was unable to reproduce that same performance four days later against Switzerland. Losing to the Swiss 2-1, Greece’s perfect start to the World Cup Qualifiers was ended miserably.

As for the rest of the World Rankings, Spain continues to hold down top spot but is closely followed by the side they defeated at EURO 2008: Germany. Italy and Netherlands continue to lead South American giants Brazil and Argentina; while Croatia drifts a few points behind. Russia and the Czech Republic continue to hold down their spots in the top ten; however, England returns to the top ten for the first time since June but their presence is plagued by a tie with rivals Portugal.

As for the members in Greece’s qualifying group, Israel continues to lead the Greeks with their fifteen placed rankings. Meanwhile, Switzerland is now ranked twenty-seventh after rising eighteen spots. Latvia slipped one place to sixty fifth, and Moldova slipped eleven spots to seventy-sixth. Luxembourg still has the lowest ranking the group, as the side that enjoyed September success over the Swiss is now ranked one hundred and twenty-seventh.

With Greece’s Qualifying campaign on pause until March, Otto Rehhagel’s men have their sights on a friendly encounter in Athens next Wednesday. World Champions Italy makes its way across the Adriatic Sea, as two of the Mediterranean’s most cultured nations are scheduled to meet in the Greek Capital.

FIFA Rankings – Top 20:
1. Spain 1657
2. Germany 1413
3. Italy 1356
4. Netherlands 1306
5. Brazil 1286
6. Argentina 1181
7. Croatia 1158
8. Russia 1079
9. Czech Republic 1062
10. Portugal 1058
10. England 1058
12. France 1035
13. Turkey 1032
14. Cameroon 1013
15. Israel 1004
16. Bulgaria 951
17. Paraguay 934
18. Greece 907
19. Romania 892
20. Ukraine 883