Calcio Storico: Florence’s Fiercest Tradition
The Verdi Team boxing club. On the left, a flag depicting il giglio (the lily), the coat of arms of Florence. On the wall in the background, the flag with the Verdi Team coat of arms.
The flag with the coat of arms of Florence inside the Team headquarters.
Inside the Verdi Team headquarters.
The boxing club where the Verdi Team trains. In the background, a sign reads: “He who is not hungry, will not have fame”.
The entrance to the boxing gym, with a sign that reads: “Every child should learn to ride a bike, swim and fight.”
A group of calcianti, as the players of the Florentine calcio storico teams are called, train inside the gym. One of them is wearing a sweatshirt with Florentia written on it. Florentia, the Latin name for Florence, is an auspicious name that means: “May you be prosperous”, “City of prosperity”.
Helmets and pads on a shelf in the Verdi Team boxing club.
The ring inside the Verdi Team boxing club.
Inside the Verdi Team boxing club.
“Next week training is CANCELLED all week! Monday evening, 8:30pm, we all meet at the headquarters, to look each other in the eyes and understand from each one what kind of commitment they want to put in the last two months of training. Attendance is MANDATORY for all 45 players. Those who have children pay a babysitter, those who have a job take time off to go out early or take a day off, but attendance is… I repeat MANDATORY“.
The Verdi Team’s training ground. Verdi di San Giovanni, in the background, means the name of the team with the reference district of the city.
The Team training together in the ground.
Coaches discuss during the training warm-up.
Running is always one of the first steps of the training.
The Team during the training.
The Team during the training.
The Team starts the boxing training.
Team members during a training game.
Wrestling is one of the most important disciplines every calciante must practice.
One of the coaches observes the team during a training game.
Team member Niccolò, on crutches due to an injury during a past training, inquires about the condition of another team member who has just been injured, stating: “Think I broke my kneecap,” before walking out and stopping.
Calcio storico combines different sports, such as soccer, rugby, wrestling, boxing and martial arts.
A team member, with the ball in his hands, tries to reach the goal at the end of the pitch.
Team members discussing right after the training.