28 December 2005
ENGLAND ARE EUROPE'S NO.1
By Neil Mcleman
ENGLAND have been ranked the top team in Europe this year - and Brazil's biggest obstacle to winning the World Cup in the summer.
France Football magazine places Sven Goran Eriksson's side at No.1 despite struggling to qualify for Germany after the shock September defeat in Northern Ireland.
But England still averaged 2.27 points per game this year - rising to 2.50 in competitive matches.
France Football said: "With Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard in midfield, Owen and Rooney in attack, Terry, Carragher, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell for the two (or three?) places in central defence, Sven Goran Eriksson has an impressive squad.
"Victors against Argentina (3-2) in a friendly in mid-November in Geneva, this team appears the best armed to rival Brazil at the World Cup."
It is the first time England have topped the rankings since 1987 - just before they lost all three games at Euro 88. Italy, Spain, France and Germany are ranked outside the top six with the hosts down in 13th place.
TOP TEN:
1. England
2. Holland
3. Poland
4. Portugal
5. Czech Republic
6. Ukraine
7. Italy
8. Spain
9. Sweden
10. France
--------
13. Germany
mirror.co.uk
ENGLAND ARE EUROPE'S NO.1
By Neil Mcleman
ENGLAND have been ranked the top team in Europe this year - and Brazil's biggest obstacle to winning the World Cup in the summer.
France Football magazine places Sven Goran Eriksson's side at No.1 despite struggling to qualify for Germany after the shock September defeat in Northern Ireland.
But England still averaged 2.27 points per game this year - rising to 2.50 in competitive matches.
France Football said: "With Beckham, Lampard and Gerrard in midfield, Owen and Rooney in attack, Terry, Carragher, Rio Ferdinand and Sol Campbell for the two (or three?) places in central defence, Sven Goran Eriksson has an impressive squad.
"Victors against Argentina (3-2) in a friendly in mid-November in Geneva, this team appears the best armed to rival Brazil at the World Cup."
It is the first time England have topped the rankings since 1987 - just before they lost all three games at Euro 88. Italy, Spain, France and Germany are ranked outside the top six with the hosts down in 13th place.
TOP TEN:
1. England
2. Holland
3. Poland
4. Portugal
5. Czech Republic
6. Ukraine
7. Italy
8. Spain
9. Sweden
10. France
--------
13. Germany
mirror.co.uk