April 28, 2004 is a historic date for the San Marino national team, as it achieved its first victory in an official match: 1-0 against Liechtenstein, with a goal by Andy Selva after 6′. Since yesterday it is no longer the only success of the small representative. Twenty years later, again against Liechtenstein, once again 1-0. This time it is not a friendly because there are three points up for grabs in the Nations League. The hero of the evening is called Nicko Sensoli, born in 2005 and at the time of the first historic success of San Marino he was not even born. Attacking midfielder, last year he played six months on loan at Sangiuliano City, in Serie D and is currently at the San Marino Academy.
From December 12th the selector is Roberto Cevolifrom Romagna, who has a long career as a professional footballer behind him: Reggina, Torino, Reggiana, Cesena and Modena among the most important stages. He started a generational change, fielding 5 Under 20 players. In the entire squad only two play for a professional cluband in any case in the Primavera team, namely the twin brothers Giacomo and Tommaso Benvenuti, defenders of the U20 of Sassuolo. The rest play in the small championship of San Marino or in the amateur categories of Romagna. There are also two free agents: goalkeeper Edoardo Colombo and striker Nicola Nanni, both starters against Liechtenstein.
“A perfect match, we risked very little. I’m very happy for the boys and for the Federation that is working very well both in the youth sector and in the first team” declared Cevoli. 210th and last in the ranking, San Marino had attempted to shake up the ranking six months ago, by organizing a double friendly against St. Kiss and Nevis in Serravallefootball representative of two Caribbean islands that give life to a nation of 47,606 inhabitants. The opportunity to unblock after 20 years and instead came a defeat and a draw that seemed to clarify how San Marino was destined to never have a joy. And it is no coincidence that a group of fans have decided to follow the fortunes of the national team for a few years now, also for this reason.The community on Facebook has over 3 thousand members, at the stadium a maximum of a hundred show up and none of them are from San Marino. The name is emblematic: “Mai 1 joy Brigade”. And since it was founded in 2012, they have actually never seen San Marino win since its birth. Until yesterday evening. Who knows, maybe they will change their name at this point.