Greece have slipped ten places to 18^th in the world in the new FIFA World ranking released on Wednesday.

Otto Rehhagel's side suffered from a poor Euro 2008 campaign when they lost all three group games to Spain, Sweden and Russia and scored just one goal.

The friendly loss to Hungary (3-2) and draw with Armenia (0-0) did not help either.

Before the tournament Greece were at number eight. England, who were at number nine but failed to qualify for Euro 2008, have also dropped out of the top ten, going down to 15.

New European champions Spain have taken over as the number one side in the world. It is the first time they have taken top spot from Argentina who have suffered a few poor results in their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Italy climb one spot to number three while beaten finalists Germany move up to third.

The biggest climbers are Croatia - up from 15^th to seven - and semi-finalists Russia who have moved up 13 places from 24 to 11.

FIFA RANKINGS (previous position in brackets):

1. (4) Spain
2. (3) Italy
3. (5) Germany
4. (2) Brazil
5. (10) Netherlands
6. (1) Argentina
7. (15) Croatia
8. (6) Czech Republic
9. (11) Portugal
10. (7) France
11. (24) Russia
12. (12) Romania
13. (13) Cameroon
14. (20) Turkey
15. (9) England
16. (17) Scotland
17. (18) Bulgaria
18. (8) Greece
19. (14) Mexico
20. (16) Ghana

 

Greece midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos could be heading to newly-promoted Hull City in the English premier league.

Hull manager Phil Brown, who worked alongside Giannakopoulos for two years as assistant to Sam Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers, is reported to be to keen to open talks within the next week.

"I will be talking to his agent when I get back (from holiday) and I will be talking to the player himself soon," said Brown.

"He has gone back to Greece with his family, who I know very well, and he has only just finished his season with Greece at Euro 2008.

"I'm sure there will be an opportunity to speak to him in the near future."

The 33-year-old Giannakopoulos was released by Bolton in May after five years at the Reebok. He has been linked with a return to Olympiakos but said earlier this month that he wanted to stay in England.

"I will try to stay in this league because it is the best in the world, simple as that," he said.