You’ve seen the memes. The jokes about part-time bakers and accountants getting thrashed 10-0 by Harry Kane while the rest of us eat pizza on a Tuesday night. It’s the easy narrative. For decades, the San Marino national football team games were essentially a recurring gag in the world of international football—a tiny enclave of 33,000 people inside Italy providing a goal-difference boost for the giants of Europe.
But things changed in 2024.
If you haven’t been paying attention, the "worst team in the world" isn't exactly the punchline anymore. Something clicked. Under the radar, this group of players—most of whom really do have day jobs—pulled off a sequence of results that felt less like a fluke and more like a systemic shift in how they approach the game.
The Night Everything Flipped in Vaduz
On November 18, 2024, San Marino did something they hadn't done in their entire history as a FIFA member. They won a competitive away match. Not only that, they came from behind to do it.
Imagine the scene at the Rheinpark Stadion. Liechtenstein took the lead in the 40th minute. Usually, this is where the floodgates open. You expect the 4-0 or 5-0 scoreline. Instead, San Marino emerged from the tunnel for the second half and looked like a completely different side. Lorenzo Lazzari equalized just seconds after the restart. Nicola Nanni—the only truly professional player in the squad at the time—slotted a penalty. Then Alessandro Golinucci sealed it.
3-1.
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That single result didn't just win a game; it secured promotion to League C of the UEFA Nations League. Basically, the team everyone used to farm for goals is now moving up the ladder to face tougher competition by merit. It was their second win of the year, both coming against Liechtenstein. Before 2024, they had exactly one win in their entire existence—a 1-0 friendly victory back in 2004.
To go 20 years without a win and then grab two in a few months is statistically insane.
Understanding the San Marino National Football Team Games Grind
Why is it so hard for them? Let's look at the numbers. The Republic of San Marino has a smaller population than most mid-sized football stadiums in England or Germany. Their player pool is tiny. When they line up for San Marino national football team games, they are often facing squads where a single substitute earns more in a week than the entire San Marino starting XI earns in a decade.
The tactical gap used to be a chasm. Historically, the strategy was "park the bus and pray." It led to some brutal records, like the 13-0 loss to Germany in 2006.
However, under manager Roberto Cevoli, the vibe has shifted. They aren't just sitting deep and hoofing the ball anymore. In recent fixtures, they’ve shown a willingness to actually keep possession. During that historic 3-1 win, they actually had spells of dominant play. They’re becoming harder to break down, and more importantly, they’re finally finding the back of the net.
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The Scorers Who Defy the Odds
Scoring a goal for San Marino is a national event. Seriously. When they scored against Denmark in October 2023, the celebrations looked like they’d won the World Cup.
- Andy Selva: The undisputed legend. He scored 8 goals in 57 caps. For a long time, he was the only player most fans could name.
- Nicola Nanni: The new spearhead. He’s one of the few players with multiple goals for the national side and plays his club football in the Italian lower leagues.
- Filippo Berardi: Another rare multi-goal scorer who provides the creative spark they desperately need.
What It’s Like at San Marino Stadium
If you ever find yourself in Serravalle, you’ve got to visit the San Marino Stadium (formerly the Stadio Olimpico). It only holds about 4,800 people, but when the big teams come to town, the atmosphere is weirdly electric.
It’s intimate. You’re close enough to hear the players shouting in Italian. You see the sweat. You see the frustration when a professional superstar can’t break through a wall of Sammarinese defenders. Tickets are usually cheap, and the locals are incredibly proud, regardless of the scoreline.
There is a deep, quiet dignity in being a fan of this team. They know they aren't going to the World Cup anytime soon. They know they’ll probably lose more than they win. But that makes the draws—like the 0-0 against Estonia in 2014 or the goalless stalemate with Gibraltar in 2020—feel like miraculous achievements.
Recent Form and What’s Next
Kinda surprisingly, San Marino has become a "must-watch" for niche football fans. Their 2024 campaign in the Nations League was objectively a success.
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- September 5, 2024: 1-0 win vs Liechtenstein (Home).
- October 10, 2024: 1-0 loss vs Gibraltar (Away) - a close, frustrating game.
- November 15, 2024: 1-1 draw vs Gibraltar (Home) - Nicola Nanni rescued a point late.
- November 18, 2024: 3-1 win vs Liechtenstein (Away) - Total history made.
By finishing top of their Nations League group, they’ve earned the right to play in League C. This means in 2025 and 2026, they’ll be facing higher-ranked opponents regularly. It’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, the prestige is huge. On the other, the risk of heavy defeats returns.
Common Misconceptions About the Team
People think they don't care about losing. That's wrong. If you watch the post-match interviews after a heavy defeat, these guys are gutted. They are elite athletes in their own context, training after their day jobs at banks or hospitals to represent their country.
Another myth: "They shouldn't be allowed to play." You hear this from pundits every few years. They argue that San Marino national football team games are a waste of time for the big nations. But that ignores the entire point of international sport. Football belongs to everyone, not just the top 20 nations in the FIFA rankings. Without these "minnows," we lose the soul of the game—the possibility of the impossible.
Honestly, the "unlikely rise" of this team is the best story in European football right now. They went from being a guaranteed three points to a team that can actually win a group.
Actionable Insights for Following San Marino:
- Watch the Nations League: This is where they are most competitive. Avoid the qualifying games against top-tier giants if you want to see them actually play football rather than just defend.
- Follow the FSGC: The Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio has a surprisingly good social media presence. It’s the best way to keep track of squad call-ups.
- Look for Nicola Nanni: He is the barometer for this team. If he’s fit and playing well, San Marino has a chance to score.
- Appreciate the defense: Guys like Dante Rossi and Filippo Fabbri have put in heroic shifts over the last two years. Their positioning has improved immensely under the current coaching staff.
The narrative has shifted from "How many will they concede?" to "Can they get a result?" For a country of 33,000 people, that is an incredible victory in itself.