Spain's victory against Germany in the final of the European championships last Sunday has catapulted them from 4th to the top of FIFA's world rankings.

Since the system's inception in 1993, only five other nations - France, Germany, Brazil, Italy and Argentina - have topped the table.

While England's failure to qualify for the finals sees them plummet to 15th, Croatia leap eight places to 7th, Portugal rise two places to ninth, Russia soar thirteen places to 11th and Turkey jump six places to 14th.

FIFA rankings, July 2008:
1.  Spain 1,557 points
2.  Italy 1,404
3.  Germany 1,364
4.  Brazil 1,344
5.  Holland 1,299
6.  Argentina 1,298
7.  Croatia 1,282
8.  Czech Republic 1,146
9.  Portugal 1,104
10. France 1,053
11. Russia 1,023
12. Rumania 1,021
13. Cameroon 1,011
14. Turkey 1,010
15. England 1,003
16. Scotland 988
17. Bulgaria 930
18. Greece 911
19. Mexico 906
20. Ghana 885

Spain celebrates Euro triumph
By: thinkSPAIN
Monday, June 30, 2008

Spain won their first major title for 44 years last night with a deserved 1-0 victory against Germany to lift the Henri Delaunay trophy for the second time, sparking euphoric celebrations across the peninsula that will continue for some time.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal of the game in the 33rd minute, stripping Lahm for pace in the race to reach Fabregas's through-ball before lifting the ball over the advancing Lehmann.

Germany's best chance to equalise fell to Michael Ballack after the interval, but he sent his shot narrowly wide. It was another disappointing big final night for the Chelsea midfielder, who missed the 2002 World Cup final and who has also ended up on the losing side in two Champions League finals.

Spain were on top for most of the game though the Germans started strongly and threatened briefly midway through the second half, though without ever managing to trouble Casillas.

At the other end by contrast, Iniesta, Silva, Ramos and Senna all went close, and after Torres's goal had gone in, the result never really seemed in doubt.

A magnificent end to Luis Aragonés's tenure, and it will now be down to new coach Vicente del Bosque to prepare the squad for the 2010 World Cup, where Spain must start among the favourites.

Ballack doubtful for Euro final
By: thinkSPAIN
Sunday, June 29, 2008

Germany captain Michael Ballack is receiving treatment for a calf injury picked up during Friday's training session that may keep him out of tonight's Euro 2008 final against Spain.

Coach Joachim Low said at a press conference yesterday: "On Friday he had problems with his right calf, the muscle has hardened and he couldn't possibly participate in the training, so we will have to wait and see how things develop."

"Our medical people are working round the clock, but we have to think seriously about what's going to happen if Michael Ballack cannot play. There are two possibilities, Tim Borowski or Bastian Schweinsteiger, both of them can take his position, but we will decide that on Sunday," the German coach continued. 

Ballack, who has scored two goals in the competition to date, will be desperate to play having missed the 2002 World Cup final through suspension.

Villa ruled out of final
By: thinkSPAIN
Saturday, June 28, 2008

Spanish team doctor, Jesús Jiménez, confirmed yesterday that it will take at least six days for David Villa to recover from the pulled thigh muscle he picked up during Thursday's semi-final against Russia.

Villa, currently the tournament's top scorer with four goals, was replaced in the 33rd minute by Cesc Fabregas after injuring himself taking a long range free-kick.

With all three available strikers in excellent form, Luis Aragonés must now decide which one of Fabregas, Güiza or Torres will start on the bench tomorrow as Spain bid for a second Euro title against three-times former champions, Germany.

Spain crush Russia to reach Euro final
By: thinkSPAIN
Friday, June 27, 2008

After a cagey, evenly-matched first half, Spain turned on the style after the interval, scoring three times to book their place in their first final for 24 years.

Andrés Iniesta created the opening goal five minutes after the interval, crossing the ball from the edge of the area for Barça team-mate, Xavi Hernández, to stab past Russian keeper, Igor Afinkeev.

With more than a quarter of an hour still remaining for Russia to level the scores and send the tie into extra-time, Dani Güiza put the result beyond doubt with a superb finish to capitalise on Fabragas' deft lobbed pass.

David Silva heaped more misery on the by-now demoralised Russians with nine minutes left, latching on to Fabragas' squared ball to fire a low, left-foot shot past the exposed Afinkeev.

Unfortunately for Spain, it seems that David Villa may miss Sunday's final against Germany after limping off with a pulled muscle following a free-kick attempt midway through the first half.

No routine change as Spain await Russia showdown
By: thinkSPAIN
Thursday, June 26, 2008

The latest news from the Spanish training camp suggests that both David Villa and Marcos Senna came through yesterday's final training session unscathed, and may start against Russia.

There has been no change in Spain's pre-match routine with the squad warming up with some light stretching exercises this morning after breakfast.

Afterwards, the players went for a stroll round Augarten Park ahead of a meeting with Luis Aragonés at 1am.

Lunch will be followed by a siesta before the party sets out for the Ernst Happel stadium at 7pm.

Spain have reached the final of the European championships twice before, and have never been beaten in a semi-final.

In nine previous meetings against Russia (including USSR), Spain have won six times, losing only once - in a Euro qualifier, back in 1971.

Tonight, for the first time since the finals began, Spain will be wearing their away strip (golden yellow shirts).  

Aragonés considers new formation for Russia semi
By: thinkSPAIN
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Latest rumours from the Spanish training camp outside Vienna indicate that both David Villa and Marcos Senna may start on the bench next Thursday against Russia.

Apparently, Luis Aragonés is toying with the idea of lining up with five in midfield behind Torres starting in the lone striker role with Xabi Alonso and Cesc Fabregas to provide the creative inspiration.

It seems that Senna picked up a minor injury against Italy while Villa, who may be introduced at half-time, is said to be very tired.

There is also talk that Sergio Ramos will be given the task of man-marking the dangerous Arshavin, who was unavailable through suspension the last time the two sides met in the opening Group D game when Villa's hat-trick helped Spain to a 4-1 win.