Greece a Top Seed for WC06?

[Autogolazo]

If they qualify, will Greece now be vaulted up to among the top 8 teams in the FIFA ranking?

They finished first in their Euro04 qualifying group as well as winning the tournament.

[smith07]

IF they qualify. I would bet on them doing that. Who is in their group??? Doesn't seeding have to do with past World CUp performances as well, and they haven't qualified for those either.

[smith07]

I just looked at the FIFA website. they really only have to get by Turkey and Denmark, but i still don't think they will be seeded

[Ombak]

I just looked at the FIFA website. they really only have to get by Turkey and Denmark, but i still don't think they will be seeded

Check the thread in this very forum about the seeding for WC06. It's practically impossible for the seeds to change at all at this point unless FIFA changes the system used.

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87489

[smith07]

ombak, so when i said that they should qualify but won't be seeded, i would be correct

[Suss]

I just looked at the FIFA website. they really only have to get by Turkey and Denmark, but i still don't think they will be seeded

That will be very difficult. Most groups don't have 2 teams as good as Denmark and Turkey. I could see any 2 of the 3 teams qualifying.

[M]

My bet is that Greece will fail to qualify from their group. Additionally, being European Champion means nothing as far as seeding goes.

[Cozmosis]

Greece will qualify. Bank on it.

[sendorange]

Greece will still have most of their squad intact apart from maybe Zagorakis who is 33. But I wouldn't bet on them qualifying, it's a very tricky group and I think they'll end up like Denmark after 1992, Euro champions but not at the next World Cup.

[ZeekLTK]

Greece is like ranked in the 30s right now. Despite their success, I highly doubt they will jump into the top 15, let alone the top 8... so no, they won't get a seed.

Also look out for Ukraine in that group. :D

[Gordon EF]

Greece is like ranked in the 30s right now. Despite their success, I highly doubt they will jump into the top 15, let alone the top 8... so no, they won't get a seed.

Also look out for Ukraine in that group. :D

I thought Greece were around 51.

Greece will not be a seeded team if they qualify for the WC. They have never even won a WC tournament game ever!

[Pescado]

woohoo, my first post!!!

Anyways, I really do think that Greece should enjoy their accomplishment while it lasts, cause i doubt it'll happen again.
on the other hand, playing a (9-0-1) formation worked, Bravo!!

[Gordon EF]

woohoo, my first post!!!

Anyways, I really do think that Greece should enjoy their accomplishment while it lasts, cause i doubt it'll happen again.
on the other hand, playing a (9-0-1) formation worked, Bravo!!

Never say never, cos never is a very long time. (Although you didn't actually say "never")

Greece have given the smaller nations a lot of hope and whilst they are unlikely to win anything ever again, they should still savour the moment.

[paulocesar]

Yeah, they are going to remember this one forever and party so much that work on the Olympics is going to be delayed.

The real question is, which will be the first mediocre national team they lose to? Yeah, they are European champs, but as everyone knows, they are not in an easy group. There best bet is making the playoffs as runner up, and even that is going to be tough.

[Spiro_In_San_Jose]

Greece is like ranked in the 30s right now. Despite their success, I highly doubt they will jump into the top 15, let alone the top 8... so no, they won't get a seed.

Also look out for Ukraine in that group. :D


Greece=Number 14. You still doubting?

[United20]

Greece=Number 14. You still doubting?

Easy there. I know you are excited with victory and rightfully so, but Greece being seeded when WC comes around? How many WC's have you watched? Have you ever noticed a pattern of which teams usually get seeded over and over again?

Look, Greece had a great Euro '04, but WC qualifying puts Greece back to earth with a group like Denmark, Ukraine, and Turkey - all solid teams easily capable of beating Greece.

One more thing. Check on the past results of Euro champs on the following WC performances...

[Chicago76]

It is mathematically impossible for Greece to be seeded if they use the prior seeding formula. Basically it works like this: The prior formula uses an ordinal system based on two components: the world ranking and prior world cups. So if a country has been ranked first in the FIFA rankings for the past X months, they'd get 32 pts. The lowest rated qualifier would get 1 pt. If a team won the past X world cups, they'd get a 32. The worst would get much lower--most likely zero, because there is usually a first time entrant.

Greece hasn't done much (if even been in) the past two or three WCs (which is what matters), so they essentially start with a zero for half of the seeding formula. Even if they finished first in the FIFA WC standings, they'd do no better than about 15th on the seeding formula.

Holland won't get one either--all due to the fact that they didn't qualify in 2002.

The only exception to the rule would be if the top teams from South America and Europe all miraculously were eliminated in WC qualifiers. 1 or 2 might be, but 10 won't be.

[eldiablito]

It is mathematically impossible for Greece to be seeded if they use the prior seeding formula. Basically it works like this: The prior formula uses an ordinal system based on two components: the world ranking and prior world cups. So if a country has been ranked first in the FIFA rankings for the past X months, they'd get 32 pts. The lowest rated qualifier would get 1 pt. If a team won the past X world cups, they'd get a 32. The worst would get much lower--most likely zero, because there is usually a first time entrant.

Greece hasn't done much (if even been in) the past two or three WCs (which is what matters), so they essentially start with a zero for half of the seeding formula. Even if they finished first in the FIFA WC standings, they'd do no better than about 15th on the seeding formula.


Just before any rabid, proud Greeks put you in your place, you are mostly correct. However, Greece went to the World Cup at USA94. They didn't win a game, but they were there. Because of this, they actually do have some points for the "history" half of the equation. To be specific they have 1.33 points for their performance at USA94. How this compares to other teams? It's identical to Bolivia (which coincidentally only have points from showing up at USA94).

[Spiro_In_San_Jose]

Easy there. I know you are excited with victory and rightfully so, but Greece being seeded when WC comes around? How many WC's have you watched? Have you ever noticed a pattern of which teams usually get seeded over and over again?

Look, Greece had a great Euro '04, but WC qualifying puts Greece back to earth with a group like Denmark, Ukraine, and Turkey - all solid teams easily capable of beating Greece.

One more thing. Check on the past results of Euro champs on the following WC performances...

So check this. Why are you jumping to conclusions? You said "I highly doubt they will jump into the top 15, let alone the top 8..."

So I replied and said that they are now ranked 14 in the world. Where did I say that they will get seeded? I didn't even mention anything about it.

Now onto the concern you have about Greece being seeded--IMO it is impossible for Greece to get seeded and I hope we don't. It will be easier for Ellas to go further because they won't have pressure upon them and will not be expected to perform best. Keep doubting because that is what the Greeks feed on.

[United20]

Keep doubting because that is what the Greeks feed on.

I don't doubt Greece's ability. That's the same motivation which keeps the US dangerous also. So wish you all the best in qualifications.