San Marino Calcio

San Marino Calcio is a professional football club based in the city of San Marino, San Marino. The club was founded in 1960 and currently competes in the Serie D, the fourth tier of the Italian football league system. Despite being located in the small microstate of San Marino, the club has a passionate fan base and a rich history.

The origins of San Marino Calcio can be traced back to the early 20th century, when football was introduced to the Republic of San Marino by Italian immigrants. However, it wasn't until 1960 that the club was officially founded as Società Sportiva San Marino. The team played in local leagues until 1973, when they joined the Eccellenza, the top division of San Marino football.

In 1988, San Marino Calcio made history by becoming the first Sanmarinese club to win the Coppa Titano, the national cup competition. This success was followed by back-to-back league titles in 1989 and 1990, cementing the club's dominance in San Marino football.

In 1990, San Marino Calcio also made their debut in the UEFA Cup, now known as the Europa League. The club's first opponents were the Swiss side FC Lugano, who they defeated 2-0 on aggregate. Although they were eventually eliminated by Borussia Mönchengladbach, this marked the beginning of San Marino Calcio's participation in international competitions.

In 1999, the club changed its name to San Marino Calcio and moved to the newly built Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle, which they share with the San Marino national team. This move marked a new era for the club, as they began to compete in the Italian football league system.

San Marino Calcio's most successful period came in the early 2000s, when they won three consecutive promotions and reached the Serie C2, now known as Serie C. However, they were unable to establish themselves in the professional leagues and were relegated back to the Serie D in 2006.

The club's most notable rivalries are with fellow Sanmarinese clubs SP Tre Fiori and SS Murata, as well as Italian clubs AC Rimini and SPAL. These matches often attract large crowds and add to the excitement of San Marino Calcio's season.

Today, San Marino Calcio continues to compete in the Serie D and represents the small nation of San Marino on the international football stage. With a proud history and dedicated fans, the club will undoubtedly continue to make a name for itself in the world of football.