The 2024/25 European season is quickly approaching, with 236 clubs set to compete in UEFA’s continental club competitions this season.
With the first qualifying round draws less than two weeks away, Extratime Talk will be providing a comprehensive coefficient preview. Between now and then, each country will be previewed, and all clubs participating in Europe for the 2024/25 season are discussed.
In these articles, we will provide analyses of what to expect from each country in Europe. We will explore what is on the line from a coefficient standpoint, and the keys to succeeding, in that country’s case.
The 23rd article of this series sees us focus on San Marino, the long-time basement dwellers looking to cause even just a ripple this summer.
San Marino In Europe: Country Profile
| Previous Season Coefficient (Rank) | 0.333 (53rd) |
| Previous Season’s 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 1.832 (55th) |
| Starting 5-Year Coefficient (Rank) | 1.832 (55th) |
As has been the case for as long as anyone can remember, San Marino has been in last place in UEFA’s five-year country coefficient ranking. And, sadly for the microstate, it does not look like that will change anytime soon. They sit a little more than 2.000 points behind Gibraltar, and there are no signs suggesting that the gap will decrease.
The country’s two European regulars – Tre Penne and La Fiorita – are joined by debutant Virtus in Europe this term. While expectations will not change, the trio will be out to prove doubters wrong and pull off some scalps.
San Marino In Europe: Club Profile
| Club | Qualified As | Round of Entry | Total European Seasons | Last Season’s Performance | 5-Year Club Coefficient (2023/24) | 5-Year Country Coefficient Contribution, 2023/24 (%) |
| Virtus | Domestic Champion | UCL Q1 | 1 | N/A | 0.366 | N/A |
| La Fiorita | Cup Winner | UECL Q1 | 13 | UECL Q1 | 4.500 | 0.500 (27.27%) |
| Tre Penne | Domestic Play-off Tournament Winner | UECL Q1 | 12 | UECL Q2 | 5.500 | 0.166 (9.09%) |
San Marino’s Champions League spot goes to Virtus, who won the league for the first time. The Acquaviva-based side is the country’s first European debutant since La Fiorita back in 2012/13. Not much will be expected from this side, who will likely lose both legs of their UCL Q1 tie.
Qualifying for Europe as Coppa Titano winners, La Fiorita is making their 13th continental showing. Remarkably, they have never progressed from a European tie through 12 previous season, despite having the most continental campaigns of any Sammarinese team. They will be seeded in the Conference League Q1, which could be their moment.
Tre Penne is the other Campeonato Sammarinese team involved in Europe. In what is their 12th journey in a UEFA club competition, they have also never progressed a round in Europe before. The parallels with La Fiorita do not end there, as Tre Penne is also seeded in UECL Q1. That could present them an opportunity to finally win a European tie.
San Marino’s Season Ambitions
The goal for San Marino should be simple: to win a few continental games and possibly one club getting past Q1. That is not a demanding task for most, but seeing that San Marino’s five-year coefficient is less than 2.000, such a task is reasonable.
What a Successful Season Would Be for San Marino
As mentioned in the last section, a successful season for San Marino would be a club getting a win. A bonus would see that club progressing from Q1. It is remarkable that neither Tre Penne nor La Fiorita have ever progressed from a continental tie. With both being seeded, they will have the chance to finally prevail.
While Virtus has four European matches minimum, the likelihood of them winning any game. A result would even be considered a win in that regard.
What to Expect From San Marino in 2024/25
Expect the same old from San Marino. At most, we are looking at about 0.333, maybe 0.666 points for San Marino. Unless La Fiorita/Tre Penne gets a favourable draw, but we should expect them to have the same type of year as normal.
The most likely team to surprise and get a result would probably be La Fiorita. A result seems most likely from them. After all, they have the second most points contributed to the Sammarinese coefficient over the last five years.
Regardless of who does it, the whole of San Marino will be cheering on these teams, in what could be a historic moment. While unlikely, do not count San Marino out of a match they would be expected to lose.