November 16 – November 14 will go down in history for European football minnows San Marino.
For the first time ever, the third smallest state in Europe (after Monaco and Vatican City), have gone back-to-back games unbeaten after drawing 0-0 with Gibraltar in the Nations League having done the same against Liechtenstein a few days earlier .
San Marino, whose team of part-time players have been one of the whipping boys of Europe, have only ever had one win – a 1-0 success over Liechtenstein in a friendly way back in 2004.
Against Gibraltar, they played most of the second half with 10 men following the sending off of Davide Simoncini.
Defender Dante Rossi broke down in tears during a post-match interview as he dedicated the result to the whole nation.
“For me it really is a dream,” Rossi said despite his team finishing bottom of their pool. “We are a small country but we have a big heart.”
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