No pay, no bonuses – facing England is better than money

DAM BUSTER ... Vannucci is out to cause an England shocker

DAMIANO VANNUCCI has plenty of memories from his 17 years playing for San Marino.

That is a good job because the captain of the world’s worst footballing nation is certainly not in this for the money.

Vannucci, 35, will lead out his team of barmen, bank clerks, accountants and furniture-makers against the millionaires of England at the 7,000-capacity Stadio Olimpico tomorrow evening.

They will not receive a single Euro in expenses. Win bonuses do not exist. Equally, they do not get a penny while playing for their club teams in this tiniest of nations.

Even if you offered their players £1million-a-man to beat Roy Hodgson’s side, your money would be safe as San Marino have triumphed just once in their entire history — against Liechtenstein in a 2004 friendly.

Yet Vannucci, who this evening will still be working in the gym he owns, is relishing the prospect of England actually coming to San Marino.

In 1993, San Marino hosted the Three Lions in the Italian city of Bologna — 80 miles away — with Davide Gualtieri scoring after just 8.3 seconds in an eventual 7-1 defeat.
With England’s fans now enjoying a better reputation, security officials have allowed the 2014 World Cup qualifier to go ahead in the district of Serravalle.

Vannucci said: “This is a big, big moment for our country. For all the supporters and players, to have England coming to our country is very special.
“We all do this for the love of football.

“We do not get appearance fees. There are no bonuses. We all play for nothing. Playing against England on Friday will be better than anything money could buy.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME ... England will play San Marino on a semi-artificial pitch

“The fact we are playing in San Marino, and not Bologna like last time, makes it even more special.

“Our stadium is small but it is OUR stadium. We are a small country. The stadium will be full but our fans will be very quiet. They do not have the fire and passion of England supporters.

“I played against Holland 16 years ago with Seedorf, Bergkamp, Overmars, Stam, Cocu, De Boer and Van Der Sar all playing.

“But to once again play against the likes of Rooney, Lampard and Gerrard is just as good.

Manchester United are one of my favourite teams and it is a shame Rio Ferdinand has withdrawn — but they have other good defenders. I have Ashley Cole’s shirt from the game at Wembley and, as a left-back myself, this is special.

“Every day, I am proud to say I play football for my country. One day, we will win a competitive game. Whether it is sooner or later. I know it will not happen on Friday.”

Remarkably, San Marino held out for 35 minutes against England at Wembley in October before Wayne Rooney’s penalty — and Hodgson’s side ended up winning 5-0.

After Friday’s game, England will stay at their Italian base until Monday morning before heading to Podgorica for Tuesday’s clash with Group H leaders Montenegro.

Vannucci said: “England are second but, at the end of the group, they will come first.
“We did very well at Wembley, as for a long time it was 0-0.

“I was amazed at the incredible touch of both Rooney and Welbeck. The English fans were amazing to us and Wembley is also incredible.

“Congratulations for having a stadium as good as that. Unfortunately, every time you go away you play in a stadium not as good as yours.

“Unfortunately, England got two goals before half-time and, in the second half, the fitness played a factor. At the end, we were all very, very tired.

“You must remember we all have other jobs.

“Even this week, I will have been in my gym all day, every day until Wednesday before we meet up at the team hotel. All I do is either work or play football.”

San Marino have lost all four Group H qualifiers, conceding 16 goals and scoring none.

Vannucci added: “Before the game, on Friday, I will say to the players that there is a very, very small chance of us doing something.

“But miracles can happen. Like 1993, when Davide got into the Guinness Book of Records with his goal — the fastest in World Cup history.

I know Davide. He has a computer shop in front of my gym.

“He speaks about the goal every moment of his life.

“Can the same thing happen? No one will ever score a goal as quickly as that. I do not even think we will score a goal.

“But whatever the result, this will be a night none of us will ever forget. It will be a dream.”