| Founded in 1898, the Italian Football League, | | | | will consist of the same competitions in the |
| also known as Italy soccer, is the highest | | | | same order, with the only difference being |
| football league in the country. Serie A, | | | | the location of the games. |
| which began in 1929, is the top division of | | | | |
| Italy Soccer and is primarily sponsored by | | | | When it comes to scoring, an Italy soccer |
| Italian mobile phone company TIM. Prior to | | | | team receives three points for a win, one |
| the inception of Serie A, Italy soccer was | | | | point for a tie and no points for a loss. |
| structured into regional groups. The | | | | When it comes to tallying the points to see |
| championship title is commonly referred to as | | | | which club will be crowned as champion, teams |
| Scudetto, which means 'small shield' because | | | | are ranked according to their total points |
| the champions' uniforms will feature a small | | | | accumulated during the season. If two teams |
| coat of arms during the following season. | | | | are found to have equal points at the |
| After more than 100 years of play, Italy | | | | conclusion of a season, those two teams will |
| soccer is at the height of it's popularity in | | | | meet up in a one match playoff. The top four |
| both the eyes of the fans and in the media. | | | | teams in the Serie A of Italy soccer will |
| As we know it today, Serie A is the most | | | | qualify for the UEFA Champions League. |
| elite of all divisions in the Italian | | | | |
| Football League. Other divisions include | | | | Like the area itself, Italy soccer is rich in |
| Serie B, Serie C1, Serie C2, Serie D and | | | | history and in tradition. With so many years |
| Eccellenza. | | | | of successful play, the competitors have set |
| | | | a number of records. As of September 2006, |
| With an Italy soccer league consisting of 18, | | | | three players hold the record for most |
| 18 or 20 teams, Serie A requires that each | | | | appearances. These include Paolo Maldini, |
| club play all other teams on two occasions, | | | | Gianluca Pagliuca and Dino Zoff. The current |
| once at their home stadium and once at the | | | | records held for the oldest player appearance |
| home of their opponents. The first half of a | | | | include Marco Ballotta and Dino Zoff. During |
| traditional Italy soccer season consists of | | | | the 2005-06 season, A.S. Roma set the record |
| each team competing once against all of the | | | | for most consecutive wins with a total of 11 |
| other clubs. The second half of the season | | | | straight victories. |