IFA Programme 2016

THE SKIPPER The 6’ 2” striker/attacking midfielder plays up front for Libertas. Was previously with San Marino Calcio who play in the Italian League system. Although he is right-footed, he prefers to play on the left. Made his international debut in October 2007 in a 2-1 home defeat to Wales.in a Euro 2008 qualifier. Came on as a second half sub against Northern Ireland in the WC 2010 qualifier defeat (4-0) at Windsor Park in October 2008 and played for 87 minutes in the return in February 2009 when Northern Ireland won 3-0. Scored his first international goal in September 2015 in a Euro 2016 qualifier away to Lithuania, with a free-kick. It was San Marino’s first away goal in 14 years, although they lost 2-1. That was San Marino’s fifth goal in an away competitive match. Was captain of the team in the WC 2018 qualifier at home to Azerbaijan last month. Outside football he is a factory worker. A SANMARINO LEGEND The 5’ 9” striker is a legend in San Marino. He is the all-time top goalscorer for the national team with eight of San Marino’s 21 goals in 136 official matches. Andrea “Andy” Selva made his international debut in October 1998 in a 5-0 defeat at home to Israel in a Euro 2000 qualifier. Scored his first international goal four days later, when he scored his team’s only goal from the penalty spot in a 4-1 home defeat to Austria. Indeed that was San Marino’s only goal in the qualifiers for Euro 2000. Also scored the goal which gave San Marino their only international victory in a friendly against Liechtenstein. Played in both games against Northern Ireland in the qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup. Retired as captain of the national team in October 2015. He plays for La Fiorita where he is club captain and works as a football coach. THE MAN FROM ARGENTINA Born in Argentina, the 5’ 9” nippy striker who can also operate in a midfield role on either wing emigrated to San Marino in 2009. After taking out citizenship in the principality, the tricky ball player made his international debut in August 2011 when he was a sub in a 1-0 away friendly defeat against Romania. He became a regular with the team in the 2014-15 season under new national team coach Manzaroli. Played in all 10 Euro 2016 qualifiers and in the recent WC 2018 match against Azerbaijan, where he occupied the left wing position in the midfield four. Has still to register his first goal for the national team. Plays for San Marino club Folgore with whom he won the league and cup double in 2014-15. Last season he scored 13 league goals.

ADOLFO HIRSCH FORWARD

Club

Folgore Age 30

Caps 13

Goals 0

MATTEO VITAIOLI

FORWARD/MIDFIELD

Club

Libertas Age 26

Caps 42

Goals 1

ANDY SELVA FORWARD

Club

La Fiorita Age 40

Caps 73

Goals 8

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