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SANMARINO
PLAYERS TOWATCH
VETERAN DEFENDER
The 6’ 1” central defender made his international debut in 2006.
Played against Northern Ireland in a WC 2010 qualifier in San Marino
in February 2009 when goals by Gareth McAuley, Grant McCann
and Chris Brunt secured a 3-0 victory. A regular in the national team
since 2006, he is the twin brother of ‘keeper Aldo Simoncini. Played
in five Euro 2016 qualifiers.
Along with his twin brother Aldo he holds a unique record: They are
the only twins to have scored own goals in the same international
match, when San Marino lost to Sweden in September 2010 in a
Euro 2012 qualifier.
On 12 minutes, in attempting to clear a low cross from Sebastian
Larsson, Davide knocked the ball past brother Aldo. Then Aldo
pushed the ball into his own net as he jumped with Pontus
Wernbloom 13 minutes later. Aldo protested - with some justification
- that he had been impeded going for the ball but Irish referee David
McKeon awarded the goal. Sweden went on to win 6-0.
Like his goalkeeper brother, Davide works as an accountant.
46
www.irishfa.comALDO
SIMONCINI
GOALKEEPER
THE KEEPER
The 6’ 2” keeper played in eight of his country’s 10 Euro 2016
qualifiers and in the WC 2018 qualifier against Azerbaijan last
month. Made his debut for the national team in 2006 but his career
almost met an untimely end when at the age of 19 – he was with
Serie B club Modena at the time – he sustained horrific injuries in a
car accident when his pelvis and left elbow were shattered. It looked
unlikely that he would ever play football again.
However, after four months in hospital and more than a year
recuperating, he was passed fit, and since then has been the regular
choice for his country between the posts.
After his miraculous recovery he made his debut for the senior
international team against Germany in a home Euro 2008 qualifier in
September 2006 when he conceded 13 goals - San Marino’s biggest
ever defeat.
His comment after the game: “Although I had to pick the ball out
of the net 13 times, it was one of the happiest days of my life. After
having been told that I might never play football again, I was just glad
to be part of an unforgettable occasion against one of the greatest
teams in world football.”
Outside football he works as an accountant.
DAVIDE
SIMONCINI
DEFENDER
Libertas
Age
30
Caps
53
Goals
0
Club
Libertas
Age
30
Caps
42
Goals
0
Club