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