Why we are all Sanmarinese tonight

Afghanistan's fabulous win on Sunday against defending champs England is one of the Big 'Uns not just for cricket but also for sport. When a Goliath is toppled by a David, its shock waves are felt even by neutral sports fans. But this 'magic victory' brings us to our appeal that you follow and, indeed, support the San Marino men's national football team as they meet Denmark in the football Euro Qualifiers after midnight IST tonight. In case, just in case, this European microstate enclaved by Italy manages to win, it will be kinda historic. And a draw will be like a win. Why? Because the Sanmarinese side haven't won a single game since April 28, 2004. In fact, apart from that 1-0 win against Liechtenstein, this worst footballing nation according to Fifa ranking (207th) have never won a game.

What makes San Marino such a footballing oddity is that by dint of being a European republic, its usual international jousts in qualifiers like the Euro or World Cup take place against familiar and decent European footballing sides. Be that as it may, the side's fan club 'Never Any Joy Brigade', which takes ironic pride in seeing their side having never won a game since its formation in 2012, will be following the game against Denmark keenly. And, in case, just in case, San Marino manages to bring out a giant David to the stage against the Danes tonight.