Glory Country Edition: San Marino PRE-ORDER

Pre-order now – released early December 2024.

It’s easy to support a team who win all the time.

But, what about a team who almost never win? A team that props up the FIFA Rankings table as officially the World's worst international team?

At the time of writing, San Marino’s record reads; Played 211, Won 2, Drawn 10, Lost 199, Scored 34, Conceded 845

We sent photographer and writer Barley Nimmo to the microstate nestled deep on the Italian mainland to discover the joys of football in a country where not losing - let alone winning - is often the furthest thing from anyone’s mind.

San Marino’s most highly decorated footballer, European Cup winner Massimo Bonini relives his trophy-laden seven years at Juventus, alongside Michel Platini and Mario Tardelli, which he places alongside his 19 winless caps for his country.

Davide Gaulteri reminisces over his goal in 8.33 seconds, which for a few minutes at least meant San Marino led England and helped ensure the 1966 World Champions would not make it to USA 94.

Matt Barnes details his travels with the San Mario fans to Northern Ireland and chats to Adrian Eacock, an Englishman who spent time playing in the Sanmariense domestic leagues. While Vitas Carosella looks at the microstate’s women’s game As the record shows, there have been wins and we look back at both. First came, their debut win in 2004 and then, a mere two decades later, their first competitive win followed.

As the record shows, there have been wins and we look back at both. First came, their debut win in 2004 and then, a mere two decades later, their first competitive win followed.

Pre-order now – released early December 2024.