San Marino wins with HatTrick

A new phase has begun for football in San Marino, with the stadium which hosts the small republic's various national team matches changing its name and its face, with the help of the UEFA HatTrick programme.

The renovated San Marino Stadium – the old Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle – has been inaugurated with a special ceremony which saw the Captains Regent Valeria Ciavatta and Luca Beccari cutting the symbolic ribbon during a ceremony attended, among others, by the president of the San Marino Olympic Committee Gian Primo Giardi, UEFA's head of national associations development Thierry Favre and UEFA HatTrick programme assistant Valentina Mercolli.

San Marino Football Federation (FSCG) president Giorgio Crescentini was visibly proud of the new infrastructure at the stadium, which follows the construction of the association's new Casa del Calcio – San Marino's footballing HQ – built with important financial support from European football's governing body.

"After the Casa del Calcio, we can certainly say that the new structure in Serravalle is the feather in the cap for people who love sport in San Marino," Crescentini reflected. "The support of UEFA, through the HatTrick programme, was crucial, as it has given us the opportunity to finish the San Marino Stadium, which will become the heart of the sporting scene in San Marino."

The new structures at the San Marino Stadium see the old dressing rooms replaced by three floors completely dedicated to sport. On the ground floor, there are four modern dressing rooms, one of which is dedicated to the San Marino national team. There are also two dressing rooms for officials, plus a room for anti-doping tests and an infirmary. On the first floor, there is a large press room, as well as hospitality rooms and VIP areas. The last floor contains a gym, physiotherapy room and security video surveillance facilities. A footbridge from the first floor to the main stand allows direct and fast access for team executives, VIPs and press representatives.

The series of improvements made possible by the UEFA Hat-Trick programme's contribution has also allowed the enhancement of the lighting system at the stadium, and the venue is now also more accessible for disabled persons, who have a dedicated area which is reachable with a new elevator.

"The San Marino Stadium is now a state-of-the-art infrastructure which respects all of the requirements of UEFA and FIFA," Crescentini added. "It is a structure which will bring great benefit to football and the people in San Marino in general."