San Marino Becoming Superstars R Us

By: chris | July 7th, 2008

When one thinks of footballing in the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, the Champions League doesn’t exactly come to mind. More often it’s as the recipient of a thorough beatdown – particularly for Germans – or as the cutsie little nation in those adidas commercials featuring Jose Mourinho & Friends. Well not for S.S. Murata, the first ever Sanmarinese team to partake in the UEFA Champions League. Their big splash last year came when they convinced former Brazil & Roma legend Aldair to play with them against Tampere of Finland in the Champions League first round. Didn’t go so well, they lost 4-1 on aggregate.

So this year they’re aspiring to higher levels, both in terms of footballing and PR. They’re currently after another Brazilian legend (just ask him), Romario, and it seems likely he’ll join them for their Champions League qualifying round games against Swedish champs Gotenborg. Not bad, considering he only retired last year with his 1,000 goals (uh huh, sure)….even though he’s 42.

Next on the wish list is none other than F1 racing legend Michael Schumacher. In his retirement Schumacher has been busy test driving for Ferrari, while also helping them design absolutely ridiculous cars; but he’s actually a damn good weekend footballer who laces them up for his local side, 3rd tier Swiss team FC Echichens. The Murata hierarchy seems the chances of landing Schumacher is significantly less than Romario, but they won’t stop trying before tomorrow’s deadline day.

They’ve already got aged (44) ex-Roma & Milan striker Massimo Agostino on the books, and it appears if they can’t beat the young whippersnappers with their own, they’ll call in the cavalry from the senior circuit. But that’s not enough. If you’re going to bring Schumacher into the fold, let’s bring this thing into full on exhibition mode, because that’s what it’s approaching as it is, and see if he can beat the offside trap in his 430 Scuderia.

And somewhere, Maradona is perfecting his ass trap as we speak.

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Category: World Football

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Jan

I heard about this. They did the same last year against Tampere but narrowly lost. Getting Schumacher and Romario won't improve San Marino football's status. You have to encourage the young ones.

Here in Italy people are sceptic about the success of this initiative.
Mark Meadows

It's difficult to tell whther the Romario stuff is a publicity stunt but we'll find out pretty soon as the first leg is on Tuesday. They wanted Michael Schumacher to play as well but it seems that's a non starter
Ben

Superstars R Us????

More like the pawn shop to me..
japple

does Aldair still play for this side, or was he only present for their brief run in the CL last year?