Florentine soccer game fighting

Each end of the opposite walls has a four foot wooden wall that runs its entire length. There is a round red and white ball which must be tossed over the wooden wall for a goal. Like European soccer there is someone who guards the goal, and in the center of each goal wall is a white tent with red trimmings and a red flag.

The color of the balls and tents can vary depending on the teams playing. There is no equipment in this sport. Sand covers the entire square as the players run with the ball in their hands to pass it to their teammates. This results in torn costumes and quite a bit of bloodshed. Unsurprisingly, players are often carried off during a game. As the match progresses participants hold onto each other to prevent them from playing.

Players use high kicks, punches to the face, tackling and even some wrestling moves. Before each game is played there is a long introductory ceremony followed by a parade from Piazza Santa Maria Novella at 4 p. Trumpets blare throughout the procession.

Here you see a lot of things going on including all of the players and referees dressed up in their colorful renaissance outfits and even some acrobats throwing and waving flags. The game ends with a meal and fireworks. This traditional game is played every year on June 24th. The four teams of the historical neighborhoods of the city of Florence play against each other, first in two semi-finals and then the final match to determine the winner. Santa Croce Square, which has always been the home to the game, is covered in sand for the occasion to "return" to those times when it was just a dirt square and recreate the setting.

Bleachers are also set up so that spectators can better enjoy the game. It is considered a dangerous game as it is allowed to punch, kick and charge opponents so much as oftentimes players end-up injured.

Goals can be scored by throwing the ball over a designated spot on the perimeter of the field with another goal running the width of the short ends. There is a main referee, six linesmen and a field master. Each game is played out for 50 minutes with the winner being the team with the most points or "cacce" scored.

Since then, the Calcio Storico Fiorentino has kept the form of a historical event amongst the most important ones of the city and region. Every year, the month of June has been chosen to celebrate the Calcio Fiorentino history. Although the start date can vary, the final is set for 24 th June on the festival of St John. You just have to watch a Florence historical soccer game to understand the reason for such enthusiasm by the Florentines and the value of this event!

If you choose to take part in the final, a busy day ahead is to be expected: a parade in historical costumes through the historic centre of Piazza Santa Maria Novella to arrive in Piazza Santa Croce. All the districts of the Calcio Storico Fiorentino participate in the parade although the final only includes two teams.

Usually the show starts around four o'clock, an hour before the actual start of the match. Follow the procession and try to identify, among the costumed characters, who is taking part! It is not that difficult At this point, we try to figure out how this event is played and above all Players compete through a total of three matches, two semi-finals and a final which decrees the district winner.

To determine which team plays in the semi-finals against another there is a draw on Easter Sunday with the coloured balls. The playing field is set up in Piazza Santa Croce as was the case for the traditional Florentine football game since the 15th century the same dusty ground of the Renaissance is recreated, surrounded by grandstands for spectators, the only modern elements of the re-enactment! Of course, as in any sport, even in the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, rules abound and have to be respected.

Besides the players, other key figures are the referee , the six linesmen and the Commissioner Referee who remains outside the field. The key figure in the historical soccer in Florence in Costume is the Master of Field : it is his responsibility to maintain discipline during accidents and fights that represent moments when the game is stopped.

The rectangle field is twice as long as its width x50 , covered with sand and a white line dividing the field into two equal parts. The whole perimeter of the bottom side is surrounded by a network in which the ball must end every time. There are 27 players per team for the historic Florentine football and no substitutions during the game can be made.

The players are divided into four goalkeepers, three fullbacks, five midfielders and fifteen attackers which shows where modern football comes from!

Each team is led by the strategies and the external looks of the Captain and the Forerunner , who follow the game from their tent. The role of these outside people is also vital to manage and calm people and the conflicts that are formed between players of opposing teams!

It is worth noting that in the historic Calcio Fiorentino fights and violence is not a rare thing! The game begins with the first roll of the ball in the middle of the field performed by pallaio and then with the sound of colubrine small cannons , the great Florence historic football challenge begins. Players try in every way and with all their might to seize the ball and bring it to the end of the opponent field to score a caccia goal in the net!

For each marked point the teams change sides. During the fifty minutes you have to determine who has achieved the highest number of hunts, becoming the undisputed winner of Costume football in Florence for that year. The trophy to be won consists of a Chianina pure breed calf! Could there be anything better for somebody from Tuscany?