Today today? As in, based on PRESENT form, I'd leave Italy out of the top five with France and Spain at the top. Germany has a 100% qualifying record as well, but I'd be hard-pressed to rate them #1 after squeaking by the Faroes at home. Holland and the Czech Republic still should be considered top European teams despite their failure to qualify for the WC. Other teams 100% so far are Turkey, Wales,the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. I'd go with this ranking: 1. France 2. Spain 3. Holland 4. Turkey 5. Czech Republic
Turkey are impressive now. They are easily Top 3 in Europe at the moment. Their good World Cup run was no fluke. In earlier years so called 'UEFA second tier teams' with recent World Cup success have collapsed in the qualifiers for the following tournament, but Turkey just seem to continue where they left off in Korea/Japan.
lets wait until the qualifiers are decided before we decide a top 5 list. methinks that the lists will be a little bit different in afew months time...
Why wait for adequate data when we have our opinions. There are only a few matches scheduled between now and March 2003. My list: Spain France Netherlands Germany Turkey
The respectfulness and weightlessness enables argumentation. However I will list, winterization hoping is a must. Germany-The repertiore is of rebelliousness. France-Are they freshly rested? Spain-The redemption fossilizing of umbilical cord. Holland-The impalement rests comfortableness on foot. England/Turkey-"An abonimation to God"
These are my top 5: 1) Holland 2) France 3) Turkey 4) Norway 5) Spain Now, this is based on RIGHT NOW. Holland seem to be the best team right now (which is pretty ironic considering they weren't even at the 2002 WC) especially after their 3:0 drubbing against Austria. France has posted some great results (5:0 against Slovenia and 4:0 against Malta) but haven't been playing anyone that great. However they still deserve #2 in my opinion. Turkey is just playing phenominal with three straight wins (however, they only beat weak teams like Slovakia (3:0), Macedonia (2:1), and Liechtenstein (5:0)). Norway is a great team that people are overlooking. Now granted, they had a horrible 2002 WC qualifying round, but right now they have a solid bunch. They tied Denmark in a match I though they should have won and have recently defeated both Romania and Bosnia-Herz. Spain has also played great defeating Greece 2:0 and Northern Ireland 3:0. Teams that were close to getting on the list were: - Germany - Bulgaria - Wales - Russia Germany: Yes, they are the runners-up from the 2002 WC and yes, they are 2-0-0 so far in EURO 2004 qualifying. But a 2:1 home win against the Faroe Islands?! You really have got to be kidding me. The Faroe Islands even hit the post late. I'm sorry, but this team is not playing up to where they should be playing right now. Bulgaria: They have gotten off to a pefect start: 3-0-0. However, I just feel that they are in the right group at the right time. Croatia is playing horribly right now and it will probably continue that way. Belgium may have just had a bad first game, but it's hard to tell. Plus, Bulgaria barely defeated Andorra 2:1 which questions whether or not this team is for real yet. Wales: Are 2-0-0 and have defeated Finland 2:0 in Helsinki and won 2:1 over Italy in Cardiff. Although these 2 wins are great ones, don't get too excited about this team just yet. I believe it takes more than a few good results to consider a team among the elite when the team has been horrible the past few years. Russia: They had a great 4:2 win over the Rep. of Ireland and beat Albania 4:1. It is still tough to tell though where this team is heading. I mean, they looked good in 2002 WC qualifying and look what happened to them in the Finals. Overall though, it's still up in the air as to which teams are currently the best in Europe. Maybe by the end of EURO 2004 we will really know who is the best. Right now we have a pretty long wait until the next big Matchday in EURO 2004 qualifying and a lot can happen in that time period (except for Nov 20th when 3 matches will be played).
1. France 2. Holland 3. Turkey 4. Spain 5. England ***6. Germany 7. Wales 8. Bulgaria 9. Russia 10. Italy