San Marino-Faroe Islands, Cevoli: “A tough test where we can do well”

The San Marino National Team is ready to return to the pitch. As was the case two years ago, in the near future the Biancazzurri will play four friendlies to prepare for their UEFA Nations League commitments, scheduled in the September-October window and in November. Roberto Cevoli’s side will host the Faroe Islands tomorrow – among the national teams of Europe’s Small States, perhaps the one currently on the steepest upward curve. “I’m expecting a difficult match,” began the San Marino head coach at the press conference, “after all, the Faroe Islands have won three of their last five games and only narrowly lost to Croatia. We too are in good health: the boys have trained very well over these days and in every session I’ve had positive feedback. On that front I can sleep soundly and tomorrow – when we will face a tough obstacle – I am convinced we can continue along our path of growth, and the Faroe Islands are an opponent against whom we can and want to perform well.”

Alessandro Golinucci, midfielder and captain of San Marino, echoes that view: “Together with the coach and staff we have analysed the Faroe Islands’ last season and we’ve seen how they have competed with everyone. They are enjoying an excellent spell of form and from our point of view there is no better friendly for us to play at this moment. In fact, we will be able to test ourselves against a national team in strong growth, which will allow us to understand our current level. The Faroe Islands combine quality and physicality: for a week now we have been working with the staff on their weaknesses and on our strongest qualities, so as to get the most out of this match.”

It is no coincidence that the Faroe Islands have established themselves in League C of the UEFA Nations League – the division in which San Marino will make their debut next autumn. “This friendly will help us understand where we are at,” assures Golinucci, “so we can be ready in September. Does it feel different preparing a European campaign with the goal of staying in the division after a promotion? In part, yes, it has a special flavour. However, we are not a surprise: we are in League C because we earned it and we believe we can stay there.” In agreement that this can also be a psychological boost, especially for the younger players, Cevoli points out that “motivation for the San Marino National Team is, and must always be, extremely high, beyond this further, major incentive. The level has gone up and, proportionally, so have everyone’s expectations – including the coach’s. I hope we will be ready to make life difficult for every opponent.”

San Marino-Faroe Islands will be played tomorrow, 28 March 2026, at the San Marino Stadium. Kick-off in the early afternoon is at 15:00. In light of the new FIFA regulations on international friendlies, the eight permitted substitutions have been extended to eleven per team, following the agreement of both technical staffs.

These are the players called up by San Marino head coach Roberto Cevoli: