The Country: Italia Association: Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) Founded: 1898 Joined FIFA: 1905 Confederation: UEFA Colors: Blue, White The Game: Calcio
Description:
In Italy the game of football is known as calcio, which is pronounced something like KAL-choe. Calcio storico (historic calcio) is an Italian ballgame dating to the Middle Ages. It is vaguely soccer-like and the modern game was officially given it this name in an arcane debate over amatuerism in the 1920s after previously being known as football. The Italian national team is called the 'Azzuri' - the Blues, a reference to their blue jerseys. Blue was the traditional color of the House of Savoy, the ruling family of Italy until World War II.
The Italian football federation (the FIGC) runs the various Italian national teams and the handles the overall organization of the game while the individual leagues organize their own competitions as well as the Coppa Italia (the Italian Cup). The Coppa Italia is officially known by its title sponsor TIM, an Italian telecommunications company. The league champion in Italy earns the right to have a small shield (scudetto) on their jerseys the following season, and winning the championship is often called 'winning the scudetto'. The cup winner wears a similar, circular emblem. A team that has won 10 titles permanently wears a gold star on their jersey.
Italian Football Clubs Map:
Italian National Team:
World Cup History:
Champions (1934, 38, 82, 2006)
Finalists (1970, 94)
Quarterfinals (1998)
Semifinals (1990)
Second Round (1978, 86, 2002)
First Round (1950, 54, 62, 66, 74, 2010)
Did not qualify (1958)
Did not enter (1930)
European Nations Cup - European Championship History:
Champions (1968)
Finalists (2000)
Semifinals (1988)
Quarterfinals (1972, 2008)
Second Round (1964)
First Round (1980, 96, 2004)
Did not qualify (1976, 84, 92)
Did not enter (1960)
Confederations Cup History:
First Round (2009)
Italian Football Pyramid:
First Tier:
Serie A (20 clubs)
Second Tier:
Serie B (20 clubs)
Third Tier:
Lega Pro Prima Divisione Girone A (18 clubs)
Lega Pro Prima Divisione Girone B (18 clubs)
First Tier League Titles:
Includes national championship (1898-1929), Serie A (1929-2010).
Details:
