The Verdi of San Giovanni have earned their spot in the final of Calcio Storico Fiorentino after a hard-fought 13–10 victory over the Bianchi of Santo Spirito. The decisive match will take place on June 24, the day of Florence’s patron saint, San Giovanni, and will see the Verdi face off against the Rossi of Santa Maria Novella, who defeated the Azzurri of Santa Croce in the other semifinal.
Saturday’s semifinal at Piazza Santa Croce saw an intense and physical match, typical of this centuries-old Florentine tradition. After an evenly balanced opening, the Verdi took control of the game, capitalizing on defensive errors by the Bianchi to score several “cacce” — the goals of Calcio Storico. The Bianchi responded with a burst of energy between the 20th and 30th minutes, scoring three times in a row. However, San Giovanni managed to regain momentum and close out the match with two decisive plays that ultimately sealed their victory.
The Bianchi attempted a late comeback but fell short, and the match ended 13–10 in favor of the Verdi.
What is Calcio Storico?
Calcio Storico — literally “historic football” — is a unique blend of soccer, rugby, and wrestling that dates back to the 16th century and is played annually in Florence to celebrate the city’s heritage. Four teams, each representing a historic neighborhood of Florence (Santa Croce – Azzurri, Santo Spirito – Bianchi, Santa Maria Novella – Rossi, and San Giovanni – Verdi), compete in two semifinals and a final held in June in the sand-covered square of Piazza Santa Croce.
The sport is famous for its intensity and physicality: 27 players per team take the field without substitutions, and almost anything is allowed in terms of contact. The objective is to throw the ball into the opponent’s net to score a caccia. A match lasts 50 minutes and is preceded by a grand parade in Renaissance costume.
The final on June 24 is not only a sporting event but also a major celebration of Florentine identity, drawing thousands of spectators each year.
Discover more from Florence Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.