A historic Florentine football game will take place in the Piazza Santa Croce this June in downtown Florence. This is a different type of football game from what the average person might be used to.

(TRAVPR.COM) UK - June 4th, 2013 - This game, known to locals as the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, was introduced in the sixteenth century. It was popular at the time but somehow faded into obscurity until 1930, when a match was played in the city in honour of the four-hundredth anniversary of the Siege of Florence. 

Since then, organisations have battled in Florentine football matches as a celebration of the world's most beautiful game and thousands of visitors flock to the Tuscan city each year to witness this spectacular event..

This Florentine brand of football is a little different to what many are used to. The game is played on a sand-covered field with the players wearing outfits relevant to the historic time period being paid homage to. For example, a player would wear an outfit featuring coloured pants, but would also be shirtless!

The number of players on the field is particularly noteworthy. It includes four goalkeepers, five halfbacks, three fullbacks and fifteen forwards. These players are all expected to play during the entire game with no substitutions allowed. In fact, a team could be shorthanded in the event that a player is injured in some way.

The game will involve a few other unique aspects as well. A cannon is fired when the ball is thrown out to the centre line at the start of the game. In addition, the rules are somewhat leniant, or you might even say nonexistent! Players are allowed do almost whatever they like in order to get the ball into an opposing team's goal. A player could even hold onto the ball with his hands if so desired.

The fact that each goal goes along the entire width of each end of the field is particularly unique. This means that there's a strong need to have four goalkeepers just to keep the competition fair.

Finally, there is the unique factor that there are no breaks in the game. Instead of the usual halftime, the match continues on as one long period. It lasts about fifty minutes on average.

There are a few considerations that are still used by players. Players are not allowed to make blows to the head or strike punches that occur without any warning. However, players can perform attacks where the opponents are actually capable of attempting to defend themselves. As you might imagine, this means that the competition is especially tight and intense, with emotions often running high.

The specific matches that will be played this June will take place in the Piazza Santa Croce on June 15^th and 16^th. There will be four different teams competing with two games played initially. The two winning teams will then go on to compete against each other in the final match on June 24th, the feast day of San Giovanni, the patron saint of Florence.

The Piazza Santa Croce is found in a spacious spot in the centre of Florence. The large rectangular shape of the plaza makes it ideal for these football events. The chapels around the area make it all the more picturesque.

Tickets for the Calcio Storico Fiorentino and much more information about the event are available on the official website at calciostoricofiorentino.it.

This should be one of the most interesting events to experience in Florence this year. The Florentine football matches at the Piazza Santa Croce are truly unique for the many specific rules they use. It is almost like stepping into a time machine and experiencing a historic European sporting event up close and personal.

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This Tuscany events update is courtesy of Quality Villas Italy, leading specialists in holiday villa rentals in Tuscany as well as other popualar areas of Italy. Visit their website here.

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