Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio (English translation: Sammarinese Football Championship) is the highest competition for football clubs located at the only level of the Sammarinese football league system (no relegation system exists) and has been operating since the 1985–1986 season.[1] Currently, Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio is ranked last (55th) among European leagues according to UEFA's league coefficient, which is based on the performance of Sammarinese clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and the Conference League.[2][3]
 | |
| Founded | 2 October 1985 |
|---|---|
| Country | San Marino |
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) |
| Number of teams | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Domestic cup(s) | Coppa Titano Super Coppa Sammarinese |
| International cup(s) | UEFA Champions League UEFA Conference League |
| Current champions | Virtus (1st title) (2023–24) |
| Most championships | S.P. Tre Fiori (8) |
| Top goalscorer | Imre Badalassi (134 goals) |
| TV partners | San Marino RTV |
| Website | Website |
| Current: 2024–25 Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio | |
Rules
editUntil 1996, the league had two levels, Serie A1 and Serie A2, and a relegation/promotion system. However, the teams promoted from the second level could also participate in the championship play-off against Serie A1's first teams. All the clubs play at the same level since then. Before 2018–2019 season, they were split into two divisions called Girone (or "Groups").[4] The teams played home and away matches in their girone and once against the teams from the other girone. The first three teams in each girone entered a double-elimination play-off tournament, which was the only seen in association football world, to decide the championship winners, who qualified for the UEFA Champions League preliminary phase.
In the 2018–2019 season, the rules changed. All the clubs were still split into two girone. The teams played once against the other teams in the same girone. The top four teams in each girone proceeded to group 1 in the second stage, while the others proceeded to group 2. Teams played twice against each team in the same group. The second and the third team in group 2 proceeded to the play-off. The winner of the play-off, the top team in group 2 and the top 6 teams in group 1 proceeded to the final stage. The championship winner qualified for the UEFA Champions League preliminary phase and the first runner-up qualified for the Europa League preliminary phase.
In the 2020–2021 season, a new format was applied. Now, all the teams play in the same league and play each other twice. At the end of the regular season, the top twelve teams proceed to the play-off tournament, deciding the winner who qualifies for the UEFA Champions League preliminary phase, and the loser of the final for the Conference League preliminary phase.
The domestic cup winners qualify for the Europa Conference League preliminary phase.[5]
Stadiums
edit
Sanmarinese teams do not have home grounds of their own. Instead, the following venues are randomly chosen for every match:
| Stadium | Capacity | City |
|---|---|---|
| San Marino Stadium | 6,664 | Serravalle |
| Stadio di Dogana Ezio Conti | 1,200 | Dogana |
| Stadio di Acquaviva | 900 | Acquaviva |
| Stadio di Fiorentino | 700 | Fiorentino |
| Stadio Fonte dell'Ovo | 600 | San Marino |
| Campo Sportivo di Domagnano | 500 | Domagnano |
| Campo Sportivo di Montegiardino | 500 | Montegiardino |
| Stadio Serravalle B | 500 | Serravalle |
Sometimes the San Marino Stadium, based in Serravalle, is also used. Since there are not many grounds, matches are played on two days of each week, usually Saturday and Sunday. The play-off finals and the European fixtures are always played in the Stadio Olimpico.
Teams (2023–24)
editThere are 16 teams in championship.
Champions
editWinners by season
editThe 2019–20 season was abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tre Fiori, with the highest points obtained before the suspension, was crowned champions and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Titles by team
edit| Club | Titles | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Tre Fiori | 8 | 4 |
| La Fiorita | 6 | 6 |
| Folgore | 5 | 5 |
| Tre Penne | 5 | 4 |
| Domagnano | 4 | 3 |
| Faetano | 3 | 1 |
| Murata | 3 | 1 |
| Libertas | 1 | 3 |
| Cosmos | 1 | 3 |
| Pennarossa | 1 | 2 |
| Virtus | 1 | 1 |
| Montevito | 1 | 0 |
| Juvenes/Dogana | 0 | 3 |
| San Giovanni | 0 | 1 |
| Cailungo | 0 | 1 |
Top scorers
edit
- Most time goalscorers
- 4 times:
- Imre Badalassi (2017-18, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2023-24)
- Most goals by a player in a single season
- 30 goals.
- Imre Badalassi (2023-24)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "San Marino – List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 17 August 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2014.
- ^ "UEFA Country Ranking 2015". Archived from the original on 16 May 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ UEFA. "San Marino – Member associations – Inside UEFA". UEFA. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "San Marino and the true meaning of football". thesefootballtimes.co. 2 September 2015. Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 24 November 2018.
- ^ "uefa.com – Football Europe – News & Features – News Specific". Archived from the original on 8 May 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2007.
External links
edit- (in Italian) Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio official site
- San Marino – List of Champions, RSSSF.com
- Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio summary – Soccerway