"Calcio Storico"

So everyone is aware of Europe's fascination with 'futbal', 'calcio', soccer, whatever you want to call it. I was just recently made aware of an interesting type of 'calcio', referred to as "calcio storico" or "Calcio Fiorentino".

This was an early version of the sport that started in Florence, Italy sometime in the 16th century. Basically their are only four teams, all representing a different piazza/area of Florence. You have the Azzurri (Blues) from Santa Croce, the Rossi (Reds) from Santa Maria Novella, the Bianchi (Whites) from Santo Spirito, and the Verdi (Greens) from San Giovanni.

So what exactly is it?

Essentially it is a mix of rugby, soccer, and ultimate fighting. The original game was played in teams of 27, and being able to use both your hands and feet, the object (like most sports) was to score a goal by throwing the ball through the goal. The modern version of the game now allows punching, elbowing, choking, head butting, biting, etc.

As you can imagine, it is a very violent game.

What's funny about the origins of the game though, is that it used to only be played by wealthy aristocrats and even Popes! Clearly it has come a long way from that tradition..