MINNOWS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES

TOM WINCH LOOKS AT THOSE COUNTRIES ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A NAME FOR THEMSELVES ON THE INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL MAP

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T HE past year gave us plenty of stories from the nonstop world of football. From ☐ Manchester City's continued Premier League dominance to Spain breaking English hearts in Berlin to lift the European Championship.

Those stories, however, fade into insignificance when you consider the more unexpected narrative to make worldwide news: San Marino winning TWO games of football! In an age where money rules, San Marino's feel-good success highlighted the determination of part-time players, adding to a trend of nations picking up historic results that often went under the radar in 2024.

The microstate needs no introduction, infamously putting themselves on the map by being lauded by most as the 'world's worst football team' at the basement of the FIFA rankings.

The team are backed by their small section of local fans, who call themselves 'Never any joy brigade', as well as football hipsters converging on the landlocked republic, hoping to catch the historic win for their social audiences. In September, 20 years on from their last victory of any kind, San Marino beat Liechtenstein 1-0 to spark celebrations only matched by Jimmy Glass and Carlisle in 1999.

As the old saying (possibly) goes,

'you wait 20 years for a bus to come to Serravalle, and then two arrive at once'.

Just two months later, San Marino headed to Liechtenstein for the return fixture, leaving Vaduz with a 3-1 victory. All kinds of records were broken on that crisp, cold November night, including a first ever competitive away win and the first time 'La Serenissima' had scored more than one goal in any match. The win also secured their spot in the dizzying heights of the UEFA Nations League C/D promotion play-offs.

Several friendlies against CONCACAF nations over the last couple of years, including Saint Kitts & Nevis, as well as Saint Lucia, had given San Marino the opportunity to get that win even earlier.