Football in San Marino
Encyclopedia
Association Football is the most popular sport in San Marino
, as well as in Italy
, the country of which it is an enclave.
, founded under the auspices of the FSGC (San Marino Football Federation
), is the premier footballing competition in San Marino. The fifteen teams that take part in the competition are split into two groups of eight and seven teams. The top three from each section at the end of the regular season progress into a semi-knockout style Championship Playoff. Prior to 2007, the playoff champion earned a spot in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Cup
. In 2007, UEFA
granted San Marino a spot in the 1st Qualifying Round of the Champions League
. 2007 league champions S.S. Murata
was the first team to represent San Marino in the Champions League when they participated in the 2007-08 competition, losing to Finland's Tampere
team. San Marino also has a representative in the Italian system, with San Marino Calcio
playing in the 4th tier of Italian football, Serie C2/B
. San Marino play their home matches in the Sanmarinese at the Stadio Olimpico of Serravalle
.
There are two major cup competitions in the country. The first is the Coppa Titano
, founded in 1937, in which all the teams in the league compete. The second is the Trofeo Federale (Federal Trophy) which is contested between the top two teams in the national league and the Coppa Titano
finalists.
played its first unofficial international match in 1986, in which it suffered a 0-1 defeat to the Canadian Olympic
team. Its first competitive outing was on November 14, 1990, a 0-4 loss against Switzerland
in the European Championship
qualifier. These defeats set the tone for most of the following outings of the team, who are regarded as whipping boys in the qualifying sections of the European Championship and the World Cup.
They had a brief moment of glory when they faced England
in a World Cup qualifier on November 17, 1993 and took the lead through Davide Gualtieri
after just 8.3 seconds - still the fastest goal in World Cup competition http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3952361. Despite this goal, only San Marino's third at international level, the microstate went on to lose 7-1.
Until recently, San Marino's international record was one of almost total failure, with famous draws against Turkey
and Latvia
being the only partial successes in an international career that contains over 70 defeats. However, on the 29 April 2004, San Marino recorded their first ever win, with a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in an international friendly. Andy Selva
scored the only goal in a close game that finally gave this tiny republic a footballing victory.
On September 6, 2006, San Marino suffered their biggest ever defeat, losing 13-0 to world giants Germany
in the Stadio Olimpico. It was also the largest goal margin defeat in European Championship Qualifying history.
In the same competition on February 7th 2007, they came within 8 seconds of the best result in their history. They were level at 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland after 94 minutes when Stephen Ireland
scored within 8 seconds of the final whistle. The goal scored by San Marino was their European Qualifying first goal since losing 4-1 to Austria
in 1998
San Marino
San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino , is a state situated on the Italian Peninsula on the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave surrounded by Italy. Its size is just over with an estimated population of over 30,000. Its capital is the City of San Marino...
, as well as in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the country of which it is an enclave.
Domestic Football
The San Marino ChampionshipCampionato Sammarinese di Calcio
Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio is an amateur league competition for football clubs located at the top echelon of the Sammarinese football league system and has been operating since 1985...
, founded under the auspices of the FSGC (San Marino Football Federation
San Marino Football Federation
The San Marino Football Federation is the governing body of football in San Marino. It organises the San Marino football league , a national cup , a super cup and the San Marino national football team...
), is the premier footballing competition in San Marino. The fifteen teams that take part in the competition are split into two groups of eight and seven teams. The top three from each section at the end of the regular season progress into a semi-knockout style Championship Playoff. Prior to 2007, the playoff champion earned a spot in the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
. In 2007, UEFA
UEFA
The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....
granted San Marino a spot in the 1st Qualifying Round of the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. 2007 league champions S.S. Murata
S.S. Murata
S.S. Murata is a Sanmarinese football club, based in Murata, a civil parish of the city of San Marino. The club was founded in 1966. Murata currently plays in Girone B of Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio. The team's colors are black and white.-Overview:...
was the first team to represent San Marino in the Champions League when they participated in the 2007-08 competition, losing to Finland's Tampere
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of , growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is the third most-populous municipality in...
team. San Marino also has a representative in the Italian system, with San Marino Calcio
San Marino Calcio
San Marino Calcio is a Sanmarinese football club based in Serravalle.The club was founded in 1960 as S.S. Serenissima . Serenissima merged with S.S. Juvenes in 1973, changing its name to A.C...
playing in the 4th tier of Italian football, Serie C2/B
Serie C2
Lega Pro Seconda Divisione is the name of the fourth highest football league in Italy, the lowest with a professional status. Usually it consists of 54 teams, but in the season 2010–11 the teams are only 49 divided geographically into three divisions of 17, 16 and 16 teams each...
. San Marino play their home matches in the Sanmarinese at the Stadio Olimpico of Serravalle
Serravalle, San Marino
Serravalle is a castello located in the European republic of San Marino. With a population of 9,394 inhabitants and a surface of 10.53 km², it is not only the most densely populated municipality in San Marino, but it also contains its largest city...
.
There are two major cup competitions in the country. The first is the Coppa Titano
Coppa Titano
The Coppa Titano is the national football cup of San Marino. It was first awarded in 1937.-Cup Winners:*1937 : S.P. Libertasnot played from 1938 to 1949*1950 : S.P. Libertasnot played from 1951 to 1953*1954 : S.P. Libertas...
, founded in 1937, in which all the teams in the league compete. The second is the Trofeo Federale (Federal Trophy) which is contested between the top two teams in the national league and the Coppa Titano
Coppa Titano
The Coppa Titano is the national football cup of San Marino. It was first awarded in 1937.-Cup Winners:*1937 : S.P. Libertasnot played from 1938 to 1949*1950 : S.P. Libertasnot played from 1951 to 1953*1954 : S.P. Libertas...
finalists.
International Football
The San Marino national teamSan Marino national football team
The San Marino national football team is the national football team of San Marino, controlled by the San Marino Football Federation...
played its first unofficial international match in 1986, in which it suffered a 0-1 defeat to the Canadian Olympic
Olympic
Olympic may refer to:In sports:* Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896* Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece between 776 BC and 393 AD...
team. Its first competitive outing was on November 14, 1990, a 0-4 loss against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
in the European Championship
UEFA European Football Championship
The UEFA European Football Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA . Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current...
qualifier. These defeats set the tone for most of the following outings of the team, who are regarded as whipping boys in the qualifying sections of the European Championship and the World Cup.
They had a brief moment of glory when they faced England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in a World Cup qualifier on November 17, 1993 and took the lead through Davide Gualtieri
Davide Gualtieri
Davide Gualtieri is a retired Sammarinese footballer.He is most well-remembered for scoring the fastest ever goal in FIFA World Cup qualification history. He achieved the record in a qualifier that took place on 17 November 1993...
after just 8.3 seconds - still the fastest goal in World Cup competition http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A3952361. Despite this goal, only San Marino's third at international level, the microstate went on to lose 7-1.
Until recently, San Marino's international record was one of almost total failure, with famous draws against Turkey
Turkey national football team
The Turkey national football team represents Turkey in association football and is controlled by the Turkish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Turkey. They are affiliated with UEFA...
and Latvia
Latvia national football team
The Latvian national football team is controlled by the Latvian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Latvia and represents the country in international football competitions, such as the World Cup and the European Championships. So far, they have never qualified for a FIFA World...
being the only partial successes in an international career that contains over 70 defeats. However, on the 29 April 2004, San Marino recorded their first ever win, with a 1-0 victory over Liechtenstein in an international friendly. Andy Selva
Andy Selva
Andy Selva is an Italian-born Sanmarinese professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Fidene and the San Marino national team.-Club career:...
scored the only goal in a close game that finally gave this tiny republic a footballing victory.
On September 6, 2006, San Marino suffered their biggest ever defeat, losing 13-0 to world giants Germany
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
in the Stadio Olimpico. It was also the largest goal margin defeat in European Championship Qualifying history.
In the same competition on February 7th 2007, they came within 8 seconds of the best result in their history. They were level at 1-1 with the Republic of Ireland after 94 minutes when Stephen Ireland
Stephen Ireland
Stephen James Ireland is an Irish footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Aston Villa.-Cobh Ramblers:...
scored within 8 seconds of the final whistle. The goal scored by San Marino was their European Qualifying first goal since losing 4-1 to Austria
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in 1998