San Marino V England, Serravalle

San Marino v England

FIFA World Cup 2014

European Qualifying Group H

Stadio Di Serravalle, Serravalle, San Marino

22 March 2013

This is England's first visit to the home of San Marino but their second away fixture against the minnows. This  following the famous game played at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna on 17 Nov 93 which saw Sam Marino take the lead on 8.3 seconds which was recorded as the quickest goal in WC history. The goal scorer was David Gualtieri who has been dining out on it ever since. The match ended 1-7 but ultimately after the game results had gone against the 3 Lions and they failed to qualify for the WC at USA 94.



There was high demand amongst the ESTC for the match in Serravalle. The stadium has a capacity of 7000 and there were supposedly 2600 tickets sold to England, although I doubt that this figure was accurate, as the whole of the South stand was English (2000) and sector C of the North stand (600). 

England seemed to dominate sector A and B of Stadio Olimpico, leaving the home fans in sector D.  Not to mention the hundreds of non members without tickets who congregated on the hilly slopes behind either goal. My estimate is closer to 3000. Regardless of the facts, we had managed to get tickets in the second sale setting us up for the double header away to Montenegro in the next game.

Taken during the ascent up to San Marino city

The Rolling hills of one of Europe's tiniest countries

The stadium has only got 2 stands (North and South). The posh one (North stand) is mainly covered and houses all of the press boxes. This is the end where the players tunnel and changing rooms are. There is also a small gymnasium under the stand and a very nice canteen which sold excellent coffee at half time. The South stand was where the majority of England fans were located and has only a small roof covering the upper seats of blocks F,G and H. All of blocks E and I are uncovered. The unique fact about this ground is that it has two hills behind either goal, so not having a ticket does not necessarily mean you will miss the game. There is also a Baseball stadium to the South.

San Marino 0 England 8

South stand; we were sat to the right. 

West End - the forest

East End - The hill

The first beer stop on this trip was at the 

Bar Incontro, just opposite the stadium.

The ticket collection was at the 

sports hall adjacent to the stadium.

Two extremely nice Sammarinese sale assistants; 

so nice they convinced me to purchase 

a scarf, pennant and programme.

Our view facing the England fans in the 
North Stand (Including the band).

The traditional crossbow archers are marching off to a standing ovation

Sue getting ready for the national anthem.

View from the North to the South stand (courtesy of the blog  'Look at these scenes')

Stan (Luton) and one of his fellow knights,

 not sure who the gate crasher is.

Sue flirting with a Sammarinese drummer.

No alcohol, time for a nice filter coffee!

8:0 to England and all different scorers (plus one OG)

True to form, Tommy is late for his own piss up at the Ice Cream Parlour. Not to worry as he soon makes up for lost time. Met up with lots of good people (Deano, Craig, Cockney Pete and John McGrath). A great night out and no idea how we stumbled back up the hill to the Hotel Rosa. Sorry to all the people we woke up on the way back

The next day we do some culture; the First Fortress is called "Guita" and was used as a prison until the 1970's

 "Guita" taken from the Second Fortress.

The Second Fortress, "La Cesta" and highest point on Mount Titano at 755m, housing the Museum of Historical Weapons.

The Third Fortress (Montale) from the Second Fortress.

This is not open to the public - in fact there are no doors, but apparently it can be accessed higher up which leads to a deep prison (8m) known as the 'turret depths'.

Diners on top of Mount Titano.

Sue recovering from her hangover 

with a little bit of retail therapy!

La Basilica del Santo (the Church of the Saint). 

We lit a candle for all of our loved ones!

A remarkable fact: The fountain of Liburni Gardens

was built on the day Sue's birthday.

The Public Palace on a warm day in late march. 

The perfect setting for a glass of cold Italian beer.

The Porta della Fratta just in front of the Hotel Cesare 

and next to our hotel (Hotel Rosa).

The cable car station at Borgo Maggiore. We took a trip down the mountain but then decided to walk back up to the old town, rather than use our return tickets. Utter madness!

On the drive back to Bologna we pass Serravalle for

 the last time, well the last time during this campaign.