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Spain retains top FIFA ranking spot

NYON, Switzerland (UPI) -- Spain continues to own the top spot in the FIFA world men's soccer rankings heading into European World Cup qualifying matches.

Spain has a strong hold on No. 1 while Italy moved past Germany for second place in the poll released Wednesday. The Netherlands, ranked fourth, is right behind in rating points.

Besides the switch of Italy and Germany, the only other change in the rankings' top tier was Turkey's improvement of three spots to 10th.

Croatia is ranked fifth while Olympics bronze medalist Brazil is sixth followed by Olympic gold medal winner Argentina. The silver-medal winning team from Nigeria is ranked 27th.

The Czech Republic is ranked eighth with Portugal ninth and Turkey rounding out the top 10.

With 14 of the top 18 teams from Europe the European World Cup qualifying games will have a strong impact on upcoming rankings.

The FIFA rankings take results from the last three years into account, with more recent matches weighted higher, and additional ratings points awarded for games against highly rated opponents.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 09/03/2008

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