Rewind to November 16, 1993, Bologna, Italy.

It’s the qualifying match for the World Cup. England versus San Marino. England kicks off the game with a back pass and suddenly BAM, interception by forward David Gualtieri. Mere seconds later, the score is 1-0 to San Marino.

Within 8.3 seconds, San Marino scored, setting the record for the fastest goal ever scored in a qualifying match. It happened so fast that it memorably caughtJonathanPearce, the sports announcer, mid sentence.

That would be the first and last goal scored by San Marino that day as San Marino would later go on to lose 7-1 to England. Despite the loss, Gualtieri’s goal would go on to be internationally celebrated and a national hero to Scotland.

Fast forward to 2009 in the Czech Republic.

Blesk, a Czech tabloid, makes a proposition. If San Marino beat Slovenia in the qualify match for the 2010 World Cup, the Czech Republic would reward the team with $55,000 or “all the beer its players could drink” (The New York Times, 2011).

San Marino lost 3-0. Said San Marino coach Giampaolo Mazza, “I knew it was beer I would never drink.”

Speed up to the present.

If you’ve sporcle-ed (specifically geography of Europe), you are probably familiar with the Republic of San Marino. No? Let’s pause and catch up.

Here are some quick facts:

• San Marino is not part of Italy, it’s a country. (Think of it as the Pluto of countries, Pluto pre-2006)
•  Along with Italy, San Marino entered WWI, but forgot to show up when peace treaties were signed.
• Despite not having a military, San Marino has declared war on other countries (Italy’s got their back). They are currently “at war” with Turkey, but have most likely forgotten about it by now.
•  San Marino had the first democratically elected Communist government.
• San Marino is Europe’s smallest recognized soccer nation (sorry, Monaco).

With few professional players (the team is mostly comprised of the working class, they only moonlight as soccer players), a lax practice schedule (a mere three nights a week), and less than impressive record (out of the past 108 games, they have one win), one may wonder, why go through the disappointment?

According to San Marino coach Giampaolo Mazza, it gives them a sense of identity. “Football gives us an opportunity to participate in big events with big nations,” says  Mazza. “Without football, maybe everybody thinks San Marino is some island in the middle of the Mediterranean.” Adds Giorgio Crescentini, the president of the San Marino soccer federation, “Basically, our main goal is to demonstrate that we have dignity. I think we are on track.”

It’s so easy to get caught up with the statistics of wins and losses, but San Marino, a place where every goal is so precious it deserves a national bank holiday, knows how to savor each little victory.

Fast forward one year.

It’s beginning of the qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup. As the ultimate underdogs, the odds of qualifying are against San Marino.

Nonetheless, San Marino will approach this game with the same assiduous attitude they bring to every game. As team captain Andy Selva says, “Every match is always 0-0”.

Let that be a reminder, my friends. No effort is futile. Best of luck, San Marino, Falling Whistles is rooting for you!

Stay hungry,

Arianna