Sure, there’s almost nothing so exciting as watching those premium national sides like France or England get on each other in the skirmishes played in front of packed state-or-the-art stadiums with only the exquisite players.Almost nothing, we say.Because, just like the best teams, those worst deserve a chance to show what they are made of. And to fight the contenders for that miserable ‘reward’ of the world’s worst team at the moment. Of course, with no TV coverage of it whatsoever, witnessed by just a very few enthusiasts or lunatics attracted by that sweet label of all-time losers.##EDITORS_CHOICE##And this Wednesday night – without any single important football game on the planet, finally – is to thank for setting the perfect stage for the clash of the titans. For the battle between those more than underdogs. For those being mocked for their constant losses, for goal margins that tend to look like 3-20, for decades separating two wins on their account… For the news of them stuck on the very bottom of the FIFA ranking list.For 364 days a year in which no one praises their effort to fight the battles lost in advance…But not tonight.This one day and night were only theirs.Finally under the spotlight, San Marino and Seychelles earned their fair share of deserved glory as the two sides met in an international friendly.Six hours to go and I’ve never been this nervous before a match. It’s such a huge opportunity to actually win a game. I can not handle it. #SMRsey https://t.co/ayBkfxNGM5— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) September 21, 2022 The match was played at – check out the pretentious name, for Christ’s sake – Olympic Stadium in Seravalle, the 6.664-sitter, the home of the San Marino national team. And such a small ground, surrounded by a lovely forest, wasn’t even packed. As a matter of fact, it was almost empty, excluding those exotic football admirers.One of those groundhoppers reported on Twitter the match was actually dodgy, and who could have expected anything less than this? It was the duel between the officially worst, 211th national side out there on the one hand (San Marino), and the lousiest African side and 198th globally on the other (Seychelles).Here’s a sentence you don’t see often: San Marino dominating. Seychelles though could threaten on the counter. pic.twitter.com/wEAOI28kiS— Paul Watson (@paul_c_watson) September 21, 2022 San Marino’s squad is mainly composed of amateur players. Only a small number of them are at least semi-professionals, as many hold second jobs outside of the sport. They had set a European record when they went over 20 matches without scoring between October 2008 and August 2012. The first and only time they actually won a football game was back in 2004 when they topped Lichtenstein 2-1 in a friendly!Seychelles, however, were not that bad in the past at all. At one moment, they even reached 129th place on the FIFA ranking list, but prior to the San Marino tie, they lost five in a row.That’s why no one was much surprised when they parked their bus in front of the box in a good-old 5-4-1 formation tonight. Why? Pretty obvious, to save both the back of the net and dignity after travelling more than 4.000 miles to face Europe’s most tiny country in a more-than-a-genuine-friendly.30’ Seychelles are actually parking the bus like we always do against big European sides. How the tables have turned. 🇸🇲0-0🇸🇨 #SMRsey— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) September 21, 2022 Unlike the other matches during this international break, this one had a lot at stake – the loser would be considered a basement slot.So, after the goalless first half at the Olympic Stadium, it was blatantly clear neither of them was willing to take a massive risk and push for the win.A big chance for either side in the second half, San Marino generally on top but looks like we’re headed for 0-0 barring some magic! pic.twitter.com/xrdyv6AN3W— Paul Watson (@paul_c_watson) September 21, 2022 Albeit, to be honest, the hosts did put on a lot of effort as the game was reaching the end. They even hit the post, and had several more goal-scoring opportunities.And it was exciting even around the pitch as you can see…75’ This Sammarinese ball boy makes a wanker gesture when a player of Seychelles misses a shot. The shithousery. 🇸🇲0-0🇸🇨 #SMRsey— San Marino fan account (@SanMarino_FA) September 21, 2022 However, as the curtain was falling in Seravalle, the home team had to settle with a goalless draw (0-0) that has prolonged their winless streak to incredible 123 games. But isn’t that the most apparent proof of the love for the game – they play it not to win but to enjoy. And it doesn’t get much better than that.
