FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group I
Monday 15 November 2021
Played at Stadio Olimpico di Serravalle
Up that fucking hill again. Mantra innit. In my Carrier Bag Firm lifetime, England have played San Marino in (laughably called) competitive games EIGHT times.
Here are the top ten ranked FIFA teams
Belgium (5)
Brazil (1)
France (3)
England
Argentina (3)
Italy (5)
Spain (3)
Portugal (4)
Denmark (7)
Netherlands (6)
The numbers in brackets are the number of times England have played that team in competitive games over the same period. And that fucking includes the UEFA Nations League (surely the saviour of all this shit).
San Marino are ranked 210. Nobody is ranked 211. Because San Marino are ranked last. EIGHT fucking times!
(Sidenote - England also played in the Stadio Olimpico in the 2019 UEFA U21 EUROs. The CBF were up & down the hill for that an' all).
Anyway. Calmly. That ten nil drubbing was the 147th (full) England Away game I have attended. That does not include one game I missed having been deported from Rimini (where we are currently staying) the night before the game in Bologna.
The highlight was of course seeing Aaron play. I've now seen him at U19, U21 & Full.
And, it's the fourth time I have been in the ground in Serravalle. There must be another fucking draw for something coming up. "and … four … England … will play … number 210 … San Marino … Huzzah".
Over time, the Carrier Bag Firm have tried to become ever more anti-xenophobic. Not for us - … is shit, I wanna go home. Embrace rather than Disgrace. So, obvs, our opening statement is what a wonderful country Italy is. Do you sense there's a but coming?
But. They have no concept of Afternoon Drinking. Sure, maybe you'll get a generic industrial Euro Lager in a Café. Alongside a cup of coffee with barely any water in it. But, Italian Craft Beer hunting? Half four if you're lucky. More like six. And six means we'll start putting the tables, chairs, ashtrays, flowers & candles on all 200 place settings at six. And get around to serving ale "some time in the future" after we've finished that & had a fag.
The tried & trusted route still exists in Rimini.
La Cantineta
Piazzetta Gregorio da Rimini, 2, 47921 Rimini RN, Italy
They had three Italian on Keg. Alongside German, Belgian & British guests. There is an increasingly large can selection in the fridge. With lots from CRAK & Birrificio Artigianale Noiz.
Pub 1843
Piazza Tre Martiri, 19, 47921 Rimini RN, Italy
With the bar one side of the alley and the brewery on the other. Four of their own on Keg. The barman told me a great story about;
Elletromanifattura Birra 1943, American Poli Ale on Keg at 5.3%
There's some mad bastard hippy growing loads of stuff that shouldn't really grow in this region on his farm/allotment, Poli Farm (just outside Rimini). The barman showed me pictures of a bewildering array of fruit & vegetables that neither he nor I knew. (Note, sticky green & buds NOT pictured - winks). One of the things he grows are Cascade Hops, which are used in this beer. The actual beer was redder & maltier than I'd expected. But, it was all the better for that.
The best of the four was one I'd had before. (Barman gave me a taster). I actually wrote about it in the Dem Blades Fanzine when I was (correctly) slagging Wilder off for getting no further than Peroni. So, it's not a new tick.
Elletromanifattura Birra 1943, Blanche on Keg at 5.3%
That remains absolutely superb. If you ever get the chance, try it. You won't be disappointed.
FOB Birreria
Via Castracane, 17, 47921 Rimini RN, Italy
I think that's the best place in Rimini. Sometimes, you can get served as early a 4:22pm if everything coincides. Looooong roughly 30 set of Taps. Lots of German, Danish & Belgian working into that lot. But, roughly half a dozen Italians worming their way in. Indeed, currently my Best Italian Beer Award goes to;
Mister B Brewery, Bestia, Gluten Free IPA, on Keg at 6.3%
Superb that. Like IPAs used to me made. Like they should be made. Uncomplicated. Hint of citrus. Mainly peach sugar. Lovely bitter finish. Right up there.
And, there is one more place I'd like to Heads Up.
Malto
Viale Armando Diaz, 3, 47838 Riccione RN, Italy
Easily accessible from Rimini. Right across the roundabout from the Ceccarini Riccione Metromare station. Incidentally, what a superb thing the Metromare is. Runs on tarmac (ie no track). Has two "carriages". Powered by overhead electrics. No other vehicles allowed on the tarmac, so absolutely zips along with no interference from cars & traffic. Is it a Tram? Is it an Electric Bus? Fuck knows. Superb thing.
Malto. 18 nominal taps. Say a Dozen on when we were there. Predominantly Italian. Opens at Six (FFS). But, had a superb, currently my Second Best Italian Beer, Award.
Birrificio dei Castelli, Bibere, Pilsner, on Keg at 4.5%
Very much unfiltered, Keller Beer style. Very pleasant. Sugar dominates in the finish. But it's not over sweet. Like a bag of Barley Sweets in a glass. Really grew on me.
Overall, at the time of writing, when we are still in Italy, with another game to go, I have pushed my Italian Beer Ticks up to 48. Disappointingly, no San Marino Beer Ticks this trip. So I remain anchored on just two.
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