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Kevin Kilbane's opener in Ireland's 3-1 win against Andorra helped propel the Republic up the world rankings. INPHO/Donall Farmer
FIFA Rankings

European nations making moves in new FIFA rankings

The Republic of Ireland jump three places to 33rd, as Spain remain top of the World Rankings ahead of the Netherlands.

EUROPEAN TEAMS have made most of the movement in this month’s FIFA rankings, with sides from this continent now accounting for the top three places.

World Champions Spain remain top ahead of the beaten finalists from the Netherlands, but Spain’s points lead has been dealt a massive blow by their 4-1 loss against Argentina last week. Argentina, for their part, remain fifth.

The only movements in the top ten are the trading places of Germany and Brazil (the Germans have moved into third spot on the back of their successful beginning to the Euro 2012 qualifiers while Brazil had no competitive fixture) while England have similarly overtaken Uruguay to rise to sixth.

The Republic of Ireland are up three places to 33rd after their 3-1 win over Andorra last week, while Northern Ireland have risen a massive fourteen places to 45th following their 1-0 away win against Slovenia.

Scotland are down six places to 47, while Wales remain unchanged on 84.

One of the more significant moves within the table is that of Montenegro, who have risen a massive 33 places to 40th, though their standing was artificially low given the country’s relative youth.

Norway have risen eight notches to 14th, Slovakia are up 11 places to 16th, while Turkey are up seven spots to 21st.

In a fact that may well still elicit some Schadenfreude from Irish fans, however, France are down six places to 27th.