San Marino claim FIRST EVER Euro qualifying point after holding Estonia to memorable draw

San Marino defied the odds to pick up their FIRST EVER European Championship point in 61
attempts by drawing 0-0 with Estonia on Saturday evening.
The underdogs were able to match their Group E opponents for the majority of the match, as they picked up only their fourth clean sheet in history.

It marks only the fifth time through their 123-game history that the minnows have not been beaten in a match, as spirited goalkeeper Aldo Simoncini kept Estonia at bay.

San Marino had lost all 60 of their previous European Championship qualifying matches, meaning that the full-time whistle sparked wild scenes in the rain-soaked nation.

San Marino 123-game record


1Wins       3Draws     119 Defeats


Simoncini produced two outstanding second half saves to deny Artjom Artjunin and Ilja Antonov, as he inspired the remarkable result.

It is only San Marino's third ever competitive point, adding to two World Cup qualifying points which they had previously picked up.

They still sit bottom of Group E, however, and have only scored one goal in their last 16 outings.

Matt Lewis - The FAMan of the moment: Aldo Simoncini was San Marino's best player against England last month
England lead the standings by six points following their 3-1 triumph over Slovenia, but the gap can be closed by Lithuania, who travel to Switzerland on Saturday night.

Elsewhere in the early European qualifiers, Austria beat Russia 1-0, Ukraine won 3-0 in Luxembourg and other minnows Liechtenstein came away from Moldova with three points after a 1-0 win.