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