It's almost 17 years since San Marino captain Matteo Vitaioli, the most capped player in San Marino's history, first represented the national team. He hasn't celebrated his victory yet.
It's been 20 years since San Marino, the world's fifth-smallest country, recorded the only victory in team history, and 136 games interspersed with disastrous defeats and the odd near-miss.
“My worst memory is the away game against the Netherlands in 2011, when we ended 11-0,” Vitaioli told BBC Sport. “It was already 8 or 9 o'clock and there was still a lot of time left, but I remember the supporters cheering, hoping for another Dutch goal.”
Surrounded by Italy and overlooked by the majestic Mount Titano, San Marino has a population of just 33,000 people and an area of just 61 square kilometers, about half the size of Manchester.
According to FIFA rankings, the country is home to the worst national soccer team in the world, a team that has lost 192 of the 201 games it has played.
But Vitaioli and his teammates have a chance to write a new chapter in their homeland this week as Caribbean nation St. Kitts and Nevis, 63 places higher than 210th-placed San Marino, visit for two friendlies. I am blessed with
The experienced Vitaioli is set to add to his 91 caps and is better placed than anyone to express what it means to achieve the nation's next long-awaited victory.
“It means being part of the history of your country's national team, so that's the ultimate goal,” says the 34-year-old.
“This means an opportunity to leave behind something that cannot be lost. Victories are so rare that it will be remembered even after 2050.”
San Marino's only victory remains a 1-0 friendly win against Liechtenstein in April 2004. That's when Andy Selva, the country's all-time leading scorer with eight goals, scored an early goal to set up a moment that will go down in legend.
Since then, no matter the scoreline, San Marino's group of mostly amateur players, who take great pride in donning the country's sky blue jersey, have not waited to try.
Vitaioli, who works as a graphic designer by day, recently celebrated the birth of his daughter and has plenty of training in the evenings after work to balance international football with the demands of everyday life.
“It's complicated,” Vitaioli said. “But the love for your country's national team and the opportunity to play in international football is what it represents, and there are many professionals who will never have the opportunity or the honor to play in a game like ours, and that's what makes it so rewarding. It’s worth the sacrifice.”
After decades without a win, suffering painful double-digit losses (the biggest being a 13-0 loss to Germany in 2006), and with no hope of immediately qualifying for a major tournament, San Marino's players 's humble background has helped them come together.
It also means seemingly trivial moments, such as scoring an inconsequential goal in a crushing defeat or securing a goalless draw, feel all the more endearing.
“I have been part of the national team for almost 20 years. The basis of any group was team spirit, the ability of the players to form a team,” added Vitaioli.
“When you're playing a tough game it can get complicated and if you can't rely on a solid group the game can be a big blow.
“We are friends who share the same honors, but we also carry the same burdens.”
There are signs of progress. San Marino scored an equalizer against Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark in October, ending a two-year wait for a goal and sparking jubilant scenes on the pitch.
'The calmest' La Serenissima lost 2-1 in their Euro 2024 qualifier, but the scoreline seemed like a mere footnote for the Sky Blue players as they took the first step in a winning streak.
He then scored for the first time in 18 years in a 3-1 loss to Kazakhstan, and four days later made history when Filippo Berardi scored in the 97th minute to become the first player to score in three consecutive games. Ta. They lost 2-1 to Finland and earned a penalty kick.
“If someone had told me years ago that I would score a couple of goals in a San Marino shirt on an international stage, I would have scoffed and never believed them,” he said, now in his home country. says Berardi, who is a representative player. He is the second highest scorer with 2 goals.
“With so many challenges for the team to overcome, scoring on the international stage for San Marino drives even more emotion than scoring for any other team.
“You only have to look at the first goal I scored against Kazakhstan in 2019, the game was coming towards the final whistle and we were losing 3-0, but the players scored a goal that was clearly wasted. I was hooked.”
San Marino have only managed to improve their lead by just one point in the 86 European Championship qualifiers they have played so far. The goalless draw with Estonia in 2014 remains Vitaioli's happiest memory with the team.
But while results are certainly not everything for the San Marino players, there is a sense that a second championship may be on the horizon.
“I felt something change in our hearts,” Berardi says. “He feels that our self-esteem has improved and we are very close to getting another positive result, whether it's a draw or ultimately a win.
“It would be the ultimate dream to celebrate a victory as part of the next San Marino team. It would probably represent the highest satisfaction I have ever felt. And not only for me, but for the coaches, teammates and people. Very” in San Marino. ”
Coach Roberto Cevoli, who took over in January, wants to build on San Marino's momentum as they aim to turn the tide.
Proud to lead his country, Cevoli said he was motivated to give something back to San Marino football after starting his playing and coaching career in San Marino.
What better way than to end this 20-year wait?
“I want to dream without limits,” says Cevori.
“We are fully aware that the national team is different from other national teams and there are challenges to overcome, but we hope to continue the progress the team has shown.
“If we can start with a win, it would be a great achievement. It would be great for the players, the staff and the self-esteem of the football environment in San Marino.”
“It won't be easy. We are very aware that there will be a thousand difficulties in the game. But the players are doing the right thing, practicing well and I hope we can win. .Why not?”
