Belgium and Turkey claim awards
A first-place finish on the last ranking of the year published yesterday sees Belgium claim the Team of the Year award for 2015.
The Red Devils jumped into first position in the world rankings last month, but a 3-1 victory over four-time world champion Italy in Brussels on November 13 saw them hold on to the coveted position for the final ranking of 2015.
The past year has proved to be highly competitive with ranking runners-up Argentina and third-placed Spain outpacing 2014 Team of the Year Germany on the this year’s rankings.
Turkey receive the award for Best Mover of the Year thanks to the 329 points they collected over the last 12 months of football.
Having last competed at a major tournament back in 2008, Turkey secured a place at the Euro 2016 in a campaign that saw them defeat Netherlands, Czech Republic and Iceland during the crucial final stages.
Further big movers for 2015 include Hungary (20 places, 313 points) and Nicaragua (92 places, 295 points).
Hungary made history in November by defeating Norway in a two-legged play-off to secure a place at Euro 2016 – the tournament will be their first major final since the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Their results last month have...