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| Britain's new best friend? | Britain's new best friend? |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| By Marie Jackson BBC News | By Marie Jackson BBC News |
| Once the world's smallest republic, San Marino is now the UK's Eurovision allyBritain's woeful Eurovision result could have been even worse had it not been for the votes of Ireland and one other country â San Marino. Time to start building links with this Italian microstate? | Once the world's smallest republic, San Marino is now the UK's Eurovision allyBritain's woeful Eurovision result could have been even worse had it not been for the votes of Ireland and one other country â San Marino. Time to start building links with this Italian microstate? |
| Before the final sequins were sewn onto the more outlandish costumes, Britain's fate on the night had probably already been sealed. | Before the final sequins were sewn onto the more outlandish costumes, Britain's fate on the night had probably already been sealed. |
| And true to form, bar neighbourly Ireland, the UK's entry, Andy Abraham, was to see nothing but big fat zeros all night. That was until San Marino chose to bestow six valuable points on us. A quizzical nation sat up from their sofas and said "who?". But perhaps the more pertinent question would have been "why?" | And true to form, bar neighbourly Ireland, the UK's entry, Andy Abraham, was to see nothing but big fat zeros all night. That was until San Marino chose to bestow six valuable points on us. A quizzical nation sat up from their sofas and said "who?". But perhaps the more pertinent question would have been "why?" |
| Unwritten rules | Unwritten rules |
| It is possible the Sanmarinese, for that is what residents of this European microstate are called, have long been fans of Abraham and his offering, Even If. And, as Eurovision virgins, maybe they were unfamiliar with the unwritten rule that votes must be made along political or geographical lines - and never decided on music alone. | |
| Most of all, we like the attitude of the players towards the referee, their good sportsmanship, loyalty Giorgio Crescentini, president of San Marino Football Federation about English players | |
| But maybe, just maybe, they like the UK. And while the rest of Europe were busy giving us nul points, San Marino, the little land-locked republic, was merrily waving the Union Jack flag and becoming our new best friend. | But maybe, just maybe, they like the UK. And while the rest of Europe were busy giving us nul points, San Marino, the little land-locked republic, was merrily waving the Union Jack flag and becoming our new best friend. |
| But what evidence is there they could possibly be reaching out an arm of friendship to Europe's Eurovision outcast? | But what evidence is there they could possibly be reaching out an arm of friendship to Europe's Eurovision outcast? |
| Perhaps the first hint they dropped was in 1940 during World War II when San Marino did not join Italy in declaring war on the UK. Instead it opted for neutrality, a wise move given it has one of the smallest military forces in the world. | Perhaps the first hint they dropped was in 1940 during World War II when San Marino did not join Italy in declaring war on the UK. Instead it opted for neutrality, a wise move given it has one of the smallest military forces in the world. |
| And we have come to know each other on the football pitch. England fans got a memorable shock in a 1993 World Cup qualifier when San Marino scored after eight seconds - the fastest goal in a World Cup competition. San Marino's government is headed by two captains-regentIts football team is 200th in the Fifa world rankingsThe country's postage stamps and coins are keenly sought by collectors Country profile: San Marino | And we have come to know each other on the football pitch. England fans got a memorable shock in a 1993 World Cup qualifier when San Marino scored after eight seconds - the fastest goal in a World Cup competition. San Marino's government is headed by two captains-regentIts football team is 200th in the Fifa world rankingsThe country's postage stamps and coins are keenly sought by collectors Country profile: San Marino |
| At that stage, San Marino had only been playing on the international stage for seven years so for Giorgio Crescentini, the current president of the country's Football Federation, watching from the VIP stand, it was a glorious moment. | At that stage, San Marino had only been playing on the international stage for seven years so for Giorgio Crescentini, the current president of the country's Football Federation, watching from the VIP stand, it was a glorious moment. |
| "When there was the goal we were incredulous, surprised. We always considered English football as very beautiful and fascinating, so scoring against the country that invented football was incredible," he says. | "When there was the goal we were incredulous, surprised. We always considered English football as very beautiful and fascinating, so scoring against the country that invented football was incredible," he says. |
| England fans will want it noted that their boys retaliated, and went on to win 7-1. Maybe the Welsh also endeared themselves to the people of this tiny state when visiting for a football match in September last year. The 2-1 goal margin was a respectable loss for San Marino and the Welsh even threw in a streaker to give locals a taste of British culture. | England fans will want it noted that their boys retaliated, and went on to win 7-1. Maybe the Welsh also endeared themselves to the people of this tiny state when visiting for a football match in September last year. The 2-1 goal margin was a respectable loss for San Marino and the Welsh even threw in a streaker to give locals a taste of British culture. |
| San Marino, 200th in the Fifa world rankings, still holds the England team in high esteem. "We all watched the Champions League final which was a great game... Most of all, we like the attitude of the players towards the referee, their good sportsmanship, loyalty. I think this could be a positive model for us," says Mr Crescentini. | San Marino, 200th in the Fifa world rankings, still holds the England team in high esteem. "We all watched the Champions League final which was a great game... Most of all, we like the attitude of the players towards the referee, their good sportsmanship, loyalty. I think this could be a positive model for us," says Mr Crescentini. |
| Fine words for England's boys but could there be something a little more calculated about this new-found friendship with Britain? A lot of the world knows neither where San Marino is or if it even exists Alessandro Capicchioni, head of the Sanmarinese Eurovision delegation | Fine words for England's boys but could there be something a little more calculated about this new-found friendship with Britain? A lot of the world knows neither where San Marino is or if it even exists Alessandro Capicchioni, head of the Sanmarinese Eurovision delegation |
| It may be small and slightly misunderstood, but the 61 sq km republic is certainly very self-aware and knew Eurovision would be a major plug for its tourism industry. | It may be small and slightly misunderstood, but the 61 sq km republic is certainly very self-aware and knew Eurovision would be a major plug for its tourism industry. |
| Going into Eurovision, the head of the Sanmarinese delegation knew what it could mean for the country. | Going into Eurovision, the head of the Sanmarinese delegation knew what it could mean for the country. |
| "We're a little state, we need tourism, we need our name to be spread. A lot of the world knows neither where San Marino is or if it even exists," said Alessandro Capicchioni. | "We're a little state, we need tourism, we need our name to be spread. A lot of the world knows neither where San Marino is or if it even exists," said Alessandro Capicchioni. |
| And he's not wrong. There are not many European countries that live quite so anonymously. | And he's not wrong. There are not many European countries that live quite so anonymously. |
| Postage stamps | Postage stamps |
| Often mistaken for an Italian island, the Appennine country of about 31,000 people - including three British residents - is surrounded entirely by Italy. A British cultural ambassador announces himself to the Sanmarinese | Often mistaken for an Italian island, the Appennine country of about 31,000 people - including three British residents - is surrounded entirely by Italy. A British cultural ambassador announces himself to the Sanmarinese |
| Tradition has it that San Marino was founded in the fourth Century AD by a devout Christian stonemason called Marinus. Its rugged isolation helped the enclave to develop and keep its independence and until 1968 when the Pacific island of Nauru gained independence, it held the title of the world's smallest republic. | Tradition has it that San Marino was founded in the fourth Century AD by a devout Christian stonemason called Marinus. Its rugged isolation helped the enclave to develop and keep its independence and until 1968 when the Pacific island of Nauru gained independence, it held the title of the world's smallest republic. |
| Big on postage stamps and coins which are keenly sought by collectors and as one of Europe's tax havens, San Marino attracts a large inflow of cash from non-residents. But it's tourism that dominates the economy and each year more than three million people pay it a visit. | Big on postage stamps and coins which are keenly sought by collectors and as one of Europe's tax havens, San Marino attracts a large inflow of cash from non-residents. But it's tourism that dominates the economy and each year more than three million people pay it a visit. |
| Maybe the Sanmarinese will be hoping for one more visitor this year... someone seeking out an unlikely fanbase, who goes by the name of Mr Abraham and has a bit of time on his hands. | Maybe the Sanmarinese will be hoping for one more visitor this year... someone seeking out an unlikely fanbase, who goes by the name of Mr Abraham and has a bit of time on his hands. |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |