CNN —

Losing 2-1 to Denmark. Falling 2-1 to Finland. Drawing 1-1 with Latvia. For most soccer teams, this would be an indication of bad form, difficult moments that supporters try their best to forget and probably a sign that the team is looking for a new coach.

For San Marino, these are some of the greatest results in the nation’s history. That’s because San Marino loses – a lot. Since the country’s first ever match on March 28, 1986, of the 216 games the national team has played, it has lost all but 14 and only won three.

The highest position La Serenissima has ever had in the FIFA world rankings was world No. 118 in September 1993 and it has been a steady descent – with some precipitous falls – since then. The last time the team was not rock bottom of the rankings was more than three years ago when, for 35 days, the side was 209th instead of 210th. It is, statistically, the worst national soccer team in the world.

“You try to do your best wherever you can, but if the opposition are having a good day, then they can do what they want to you,” defender Dante Rossi told CNN Sport.

San Marino, a tiny microstate within Italy, is home to 33,600. Were it a city in the US, it would be around the 1,400th-largest in the country by population.

It is known for its beautiful views, traditional cakes, and for being the world’s oldest surviving republic. It is not, however, known for its soccer prowess.

San Marino is a tiny enclave within Italy. taratata/iStockphoto/Getty Images

A double life

Marcello Mularoni is one of San Marino’s most important players. He has made 48 appearances for his country, played in huge games against the likes of England and Italy, and recently captained the team for the first time.

But most of the time, Mularoni is a business consultant.

The midfielder is semi-professional, like almost all of his national teammates.