San Marino...and other minnows.

[brighton_tom]

Watching the England game and the level football you see from San Marino really is appalling.. Its 5-0 at the moment and looks like it could end up being a cricket score.

Got me thinking about why countries at their level seem to have such a low level of ability in the sport. On this viewing the players at my local 5-a-side would have a better chance...

Is it down to countries like San Marino not really seeing football as priority?
Is it down to their relatively low population?
Lack of funding into the sport?
Or are we and other countries at the top of the world rankings just blessed with better players?

 

[easynow]

Is it down to their relatively low population?

Lack of funding into the sport?

That

 

[blue2]

Having to play at San ma withdean can't help now what they want is a new stadium

 

[Ali_rrr]

Watching the England game and the level football you see from San Marino really is appalling.. Its 5-0 at the moment and looks like it could end up being a cricket score.

Got me thinking about why countries at their level seem to have such a low level of ability in the sport. On this viewing the players at my local 5-a-side would have a better chance...

Is it down to countries like San Marino not really seeing football as priority?
Is it down to their relatively low population?
Lack of funding into the sport?
Or are we and other countries at the top of the world rankings just blessed with better players?

Firstly, their population is 33,000. They're highly unlikely to find the next Messi in a place where Eastbourne has 3 times the population. Most players play amateurly/semi professionally whilst ours, obvious are paid hundreds of thousands.

 

[Hendrax]

down to lack of choice in my opinion. very small population of 31,735. when you take out the elderly, females and children, your not exactly left with much are you?

 

[del strangefish]

I still think San Marino can turn this around.

 

[Hendrax]

I still think San Marino can turn this around.

thank you

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Watching the England game and the level football you see from San Marino really is appalling.. Its 5-0 at the moment and looks like it could end up being a cricket score.

Got me thinking about why countries at their level seem to have such a low level of ability in the sport. On this viewing the players at my local 5-a-side would have a better chance...

Is it down to countries like San Marino not really seeing football as priority?
Is it down to their relatively low population?
Lack of funding into the sport?
Or are we and other countries at the top of the world rankings just blessed with better players?

You say it got you thinking. Sorry chap but I take it you're no Einstein?

 

[whitestrat]

What would their equivalent level in England be? Ryman? County League?

 

[Foolg]

It hardly takes a genius to work it out, does it?

The population is more a less that of Littlehampton. If they were placed against the England first team, it'd probably be 5 or more at half time.

 

[Frutos]

I think it's time for pre-qualifying for these crap nations, to root out some of the shite before the proper teams join in and so cut down on these waste of time games.

 

[hybrid_x]

world nation football should be a league with divisions - 1 game every 4 weeks - home, then away alternating.

world nation tournaments are stupid - qualifying games of minnows against giants, and in tournaments usually the best teams miss eachother or injuries / dodgy ref decision impacts who wins.

a monster world league would sort it all out

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Scotland,must be there ?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Games against hopeless minnows can sometimes turn out interesting.

See, for example, Scotland's unbelievable and undeserved half-time lead against Wales.

 

[Goring-by-Seagull]

world nation football should be a league with divisions - 1 game every 4 weeks - home, then away alternating.

world nation tournaments are stupid - qualifying games of minnows against giants, and in tournaments usually the best teams miss eachother or injuries / dodgy ref decision impacts who wins.

a monster world league would sort it all out

I'm with you on that! Just imagine it! I'd also really like it to be called "The Monster World League" too.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

As a former resident of the last of the Italian city-republics (apart from San Marino) to lose its independence (crushed by the Florentines in 1559), I have to defend the right of the Sammarinesi to take their rightful place among the nations of the world. They make a huge contribution to world football, simply by offering opportunities to any team that has the wit to score bucketfuls of goals the chance to qualify by virtue of better goal difference. That shouldn't be sniffed at.

 

[vegster]

]Games against hopeless minnows can sometimes turn out interesting.[/B]

See, for example, Scotland's unbelievable and undeserved half-time lead against Wales.

No, not always, Costa Rica 1, Scotland 0 in 1990 was entirely predictable.

 

[The Birdman]

More atmosphere at Withdean same size stadium even fans in the trees oh they got a corner disaster ?

 

[beorhthelm]

Games against hopeless minnows can sometimes turn out interesting.

See, for example, Scotland's unbelievable and undeserved half-time lead against Wales.

i'm trying to work out which is the minnow there.

 

[hybrid_x]

I'm with you on that! Just imagine it! I'd also really like it to be called "The Monster World League" too.

13 teams in each division (would be well over 10 divisions), would take 2 years to complete a season with 1 game every 4 weeks, top 2 up - next 4 in play offs, bottom 3 down. No end of season break - just keep going 1 game every 4 weeks. play offs tho all happen in a 2 week period at nuetral grounds halfway inbetween the nations. e.g. australia v scotland would happen in libya ;-)