San Marino v Liechtenstein: World’s worst team bid to make history in Nations League

San Marino’s sole victory remains that 1-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein in April 2004, when an early goal from Andy Selva, the nation’s all-time leading scorer with eight goals, sealed a moment that would go down in folklore.

The wait since has not been for a want of trying by San Marino’s predominantly amateur group of players who, regardless of the scoreline, take immense pride in wearing the nation’s sky blue kit.

Vitaioli, a graphic designer by day, recently celebrated the birth of his daughter and is well rehearsed in balancing international football with the demands of everyday life, fitting in training in the evenings after work.

“It is complicated,” Vitaioli says. “But the love for the national team of your home country and the opportunity that playing international football represents – there are many professionals who never get the opportunity and honour to play the games we do – that makes the sacrifices worthwhile.”

Amid winless decades, painful double-figure defeats – the biggest a 13-0 thrashing by Germany in 2006 – and with no hope of qualifying for a major tournament any time soon, the humble backgrounds of the San Marino players has helped them stick together.

It also means those seemingly small moments – scoring an inconsequential goal in a heavy defeat or even securing a goalless draw – are made all the sweeter.

“I have been part of the national team for almost 20 years. Fundamental in every group was the team spirit, the capacity of the players to make a team,” Vitaioli adds.

“When you are playing tough matches, they can become complicated, and if you cannot rely on a solid group those games can hurt badly.

“We are friends sharing the same honour – but also the same burden.”