The Federation since 1931
The Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio was founded in 1931 and in the Thirties organised the first championships with four teams. Affiliation with FIFA and UEFA arrived in 1988. Since 1985 the modern National Championship has been active, today involving fifteen teams divided into two groups. The Federation also organises the Coppa Titano, the National Cup (since 1980) and the Federal Trophy.
The Sammarinese National team made its debut in 1986 in a friendly against Canada. The official debut dates to 14 November 1990, in the qualifications for the European Championship against Switzerland. On 17 November 1993 Davide Gualtieri scored against England after 8.3 seconds from the kick-off whistle: it is the fastest goal in the history of international football. On 29 April 2004, with a goal by Andy Selva, the National team obtained a victory over Liechtenstein.
Among the best-known footballers of Sammarinese origin, Massimo Bonini played in Serie A and led the National team as head coach. He was succeeded by Giampaolo Mazza from 1998. In 2006-2007 the Murata team became the first Sammarinese side to qualify for the preliminary rounds of the Champions League.
«Eight seconds and three tenths. Sammarinese football enters history with a goal that no one has yet been able to anticipate.»
Volleyball, shooting, motors, baseball
The Federazione Sammarinese Pallavolo (FSPAV) was constituted in 1980. It has been a member of the International Volleyball Federation since 1986 and its teams take part in the Italian championships of category. The brothers Alfredo and Francesco Tabarini achieved results in beach volley at the Games of the Small States of Europe.
Shooting is the discipline that has given San Marino its best Olympic placements. Francesco Nanni, 5th at the Los Angeles Games of 1984 in prone rifle; Emanuela Felici 7th at Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 in Trap; Francesco Amici 7th at Athens 2004 in clay shooting. At the Mediterranean Games silver medals were won by Gian Nicola Berti (Syria 1987), Stefano Selva (1993), Daniela Del Din (Almería 2005) and the Frisoni-Bollini pair in Raffa bowls at Bari 1997.
Motorsport has two events linked to the name of the Republic, both outside Sammarinese territory: the Formula 1 Grand Prix of San Marino at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit in Imola and the motorcycle Grand Prix of San Marino at the Misano World Circuit in Misano Adriatico. Sammarinese riders Manuel Poggiali (world champion in the 125 and 250 classes) and Alex De Angelis raced in the world championship.
The San Marino Baseball Club won the European title in 2006 and the Coppa Italia in the same year. Cycling has brought the Republic onto the Giro d'Italia: stages with arrival on the Titano were held in 1997 (individual time trial won by Pavel Tonkov) and in 1998 (stage won by Andrea Noè). Daniela Veronesi finished third at the 1999 women's Giro d'Italia. From the Titano starts in September the Coppa Placci, a classic of the Italian cycling calendar with arrival in Imola.
Contacts and affiliations
| Federation | Since | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Sammarinese National Olympic Committee | n.a. | cons.sm |
| Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio | 1931 | fsgc.sm |
| Federazione Sammarinese Pallavolo | 1980 | federvolley.sm |
The complete list of sport federations affiliated to CONS is published on the website of the Olympic Committee.