FIFA NEWS: Spain clinches title of Team of the Year 2009

Spain is led by Fernando Torres - Philip Gabrielsen photo

Algeria and Brazil the Best Movers of the Year 2009 - Algeria and Brazil the Best Movers of the Year 2009 - FIFA Teams of the Year - Best Movers 2009 (by confederation) - Confederation Team FIFA World Ranking position Points

Thursday January 7, 2010

THE WINNERS OF FIFA's ALL-TIME TOP MOVERS ARE:

The title of Team of the Year goes to Spain for the second year running. The reigning European champions won 15 of their 16 matches in 2009, with their solitary defeat coming in the semi-fi nal of the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 against the USA. Their shock elimination from the tournament also had an effect on their position in the World Ranking as they surrendered their leadership to FIFA Confederations Cup winners Brazil in July before reclaiming the top spot in November.

For the fi rst time since the FIFA World Ranking was launched in 1993, two teams have taken the title of Best Mover of the Year. Both Algeria and Brazil added 322 points to their account in 2009. In the case of Algeria, this has deservedly resulted in their highest-ever position in the World Ranking. The 2010 FIFA World Cup fi nalists climbed 38 places and will head into the new year in 26th place. Brazil, record winners of the FIFA World Cup, are also the Best Mover of the Year for the fi rst time in their history. Victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 and the successful qualifi cation campaign for the FIFA World Cup saw the Seleção gain 322 points and reach second place in the ranking.

Best Movers

2009: Algeria and Brazil Rank Team Difference 2008-2009 Points end of 2008 Points end of 2009 FIFA World Ranking position

1 Brazil +322

1 Algeria +322

3 Slovenia +235

4 Norway +234

5 Latvia +192

6 Faroe Islands +180

7 Chile +179

8 Benin +170

9 Portugal +169

10 Côte d’Ivoire +163

2009 Spain

2008 Spain

2007 Argentina

2006 Brazil

2005 Brazil

2004 Brazil

2003 Brazil

2002 Brazil

2001* Honduras

2000* Netherlands

1999 Brazil

1998 Brazil

1997 Brazil

1996 Brazil

1995 Brazil

1994 Brazil

1993 Germany

*Average of the best seven matches

The designation of the ”Best Mover” is awarded to the team who has gained the most points in 2009.

2009 Algeria and Brazil

2008 Spain

2007 Mozambique

2006 Italy

2005 Ghana

2004 China PR

2003 Bahrain

2002 Senegal

2001 Costa Rica

2000 Nigeria

1999 Slovenia

1998 Croatia

1997 Yugoslavia

1996 South Africa

1995 Jamaica

1994 Croatia

1993 Colombia

AFC Bahrain + 96

CAF Algeria + 322

CONCACAF Canada + 163

CONMEBOL Brazil + 322

OFC Cook Islands + 34

UEFA Slovenia + 235

AFC Australia 21 863

CAF Cameroon 11 1035

CONCACAF USA 14 980

CONMEBOL Brazil 2 1568

OFC New Zealand 82 400

UEFA Spain 1 1627

The “Top Team” award goes to the highest-ranking team in the FIFA World Ranking.

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