Three international breaks before Christmas? Three? Won’t somebody think of the players and their ACLs? Everyone except physios working on commission seem to be against the UEFA Nations League, but for one small nation of around 33,000, this wasn’t the case on Monday night.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Nations League concept was probably music to the ears of everyone’s second favourite team San Marino. With a solemn win in their entire history coming in 2004 – and without a competitive victory EVER – the opportunity for the Sanmarinese to play competitively against nations closer to their stature seemed a great opportunity.
Having spent much of modern history branded as “the worst football team in the world”, this tag had become something of a badge of honour for San Marino. Bottom of the FIFA rankings since 2018, even a draw against Lichenstein and Gibraltar could prove insurmountable. Both sides sat over 10 places ahead of them in the FIFA rankings.
Sitting 198th in the FIFA rankings and having taken the scalps of relative European giants Latvia and Armenia in recent history, Gibraltar had more pedigree on the international stage. Liechtenstein sat one place below them, boasting a draw against Greece and an away victory over Qatar in their recent history. San Marino on the other hand, had set a European record for most games without registering a goal between 2008 and 2012. Even in the doldrums there is a hierarchy.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut there was reason for optimism going into this campaign. Draws with St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and the Seychelles along with holding Denmark to a narrow 2-1 defeat in recent times showed things were looking up for the worst team in the world. A younger squad filled with Serie A academy experience was beginning to gel.
And what a start to the campaign it was at home to Liechtenstein. A sneaky touch from Nicko Sensoli after ghosting in between defender Niklas Beck and goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel earned San Marino the first competitive win in their history. Cue pandemonium. The 19 year old midfielder plying his trade in semi-professional Serie D had gifted his nation history.
You’d be forgiven for thinking the story stops here. A tight 1-0 loss away to Gibraltar brought back that familiar sinking feeling. And after all, the groups above featured regular tournament qualifiers such as Sweden, Slovakia and Romania. San Marino were there to cash in their win, be everyone’s feel-good story for a week and resume regularly scheduled programming. Having tasted competitive victory however, San Marino’s new generation of talent wanted more.
A return home fixture to Gibraltar awaited them. Dominating the game for large spells, an 11th minute penalty from Liam Walker looked to dash any hopes of a grandstand finish on their last matchday. But in the 91st minute, up stepped Nicola Nanni from the penalty spot. At only 24, Nanni is already one of the old guard in blue and white as one of the only full time professionals in their ranks for much of his time with the national team. In his 42nd appearance for his nation, his second ever international goal gave his home nation the unlikely chance to top their group.
Then came Monday night. Gibraltar sat in pole position, going undefeated and sitting on six points. Only a win would do for San Marino, whilst Lichtenstein sought only to avoid the indignity of being rooted to the bottom of the weakest Nations League division. The only nation they had ever defeated prior to this campaign is all that stood between them and promotion.
In the 40th minute however, Liechtenstein’s Aron Sele had other ideas. Picking up the ball just inside the San Marino half, he rode one challenge before rifling the ball into the top right corner from 30 yards out.
Taking stock: it looked bleak. Never won away? Check. Never come from behind to win? Check. Have only scored more than one goal once in their history? Check.
In keeping with tearing up the history book, San Marino came out fighting. With just 45 seconds gone of the second half, a floated ball found Lorenzo Lazzari free on the edge of the box. A first time volley past the onrushing Buchel levelled the contest.
Less than 20 minutes later, a foul by Lars Traber as a San Marino corner swung in resulted in a penalty. Sporting the captain’s armband, Nicola Nanni stepped up with his nation on his shoulders once more. 2-1.
Embed from Getty ImagesA cagey final half hour was surely to come. After all, this is a nation that has hardly 90 minutes of holding a lead in their entire history. But this is a nation that wants to write its own story now. The “worst team in the world” tag is endearing, but ultimately demeaning. Even in times of victory they are patronised and infantilised. This was not a moniker they wanted forever.
In the 76th minute, left-back Alessandro Tosi found himself free in the box. He got to the byline and pulled a cross back. On strides substitute Alessandro Golinucci.
Goal.
31 years and a day since their infamous 8-second goal against England, they had done the unthinkable. Even Stuart Pearce could crack a smile at that.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnd the scorer? Truly one of the old guard. 30 year old Golinucci made his San Marino debut in 2015. 10th on their all-time appearance list, he has seen it all with his country. Most publications take joy in reporting on the player’s day jobs. A mechanic here, a teacher there etc. But on Monday night they were all footballers, and that is all that mattered to their nation.
No one can make you care about this tournament or these nations. To most fans it’s an inconvenience and a weekend without being able to flick between top flight games from their sofa. But to any football romantic, anyone who understands the agony and ecstasy of following your team through the good and the bad: this is what football is all about.
Pointless games? Glorified friendlies? Nobody seems to have told these lads.
