The most brutal sport in the world | Next of Kin: Calcio Storico

I'm florentine and I'm an Azzurri supporter this documentary is something else about calcio storico. You entered inside our traditions like a local, what you have done is extraordinary. I'm really glad people from around the world get interested in our traditions, even if it's brutal and criticised we are really mad for what represents our history. Never seen something like this about my city congrats to you and your team!!!🙌

I love how these Italians honoured and preserve their traditions and still making history. 😊

With the rise in popularity in both MMA and Rugby, this has huge potential

Many years ago I went on school trip from germany to florence and our history teacher arranged for a visit to a so called "traditional football match".He did not know waht he was geetting us into at all. It was raining and even before the "game" started, the sprectators started a heavy brawl agains eachother outside the pitch. We couldnt beleive our eyes when seeing the guys actually fighting full on and ambulance on the pitch on a regular base. Our teacher was shocked and asked us to leave immediately, but we stayed as long as possible. I never forgot the reality of this "game" and the sheer violence, I had never seen before. It changed the way I was looking at the world. I knew how, from then on, hwo vulnerable each person is, never mind how strong they might be physically. If someone comes in from behind ....., if you face 3 guys ... . A deep experience. Best wishes.

Anyone else notice Italian UFC fighter Marvin Vettori supporting the Rossi at 20m19s? 😆

This was and is a battle between neighborhoods. In Florence during the Renaissance you couldn't kill, so you competed in this sport, the neighborhood that won was the strongest and most respected in the city.

Such vivid colour and atmosphere - Italian heritage is something else - beauty and the beast in terms of the presentation of the contest and background with the beautiful city of Florence. Great short documentary. Would love to see a team of modern football players thrown in with this lot

If only wars could be fought like this, there would be no collateral damage.

I absolutely love everything about this. The brutality of the sport, the historical aspect, and the local affiliation and identity. Well done fratelli italiani!

One thing you for got to say is that they are all volunteers. They are not getting paid one cent for this. Its all for fame and glory. That is the crazy part of this game.

One of the best documentaries I've seen about our glorious tradition. You really dug deeper and fully understood what it truly means to all florentines. Thank you Max Lahiff, thank you RugbyPass. Viva Fiorenza!

Wow! This was excellent and engaging. Max Lahiff is a natural travel/short film presenter - curious, articulate and excited.

Increíble nuestros hermanos italianos como siempre los verdaderos gladiadores 💪🏻🔥

90% of this game involves beating your opponent so badly that they can't play anymore. I've been looking for a sport for a long time that bridges the gap between modern football and traditional gladiator fighting. Thanks. Really thank you.

as volent and brutal this game maybe be, i love how after the match, you can see many hugging each other from opposing sides. they maybe from different neighborhoods, but in the end, theyre all florentines. the respect is still there for each other.

UFC fighter Marvin Vettori @ 20:19 min 💪

Max Lahiff is such an articulate, intelligent and equally amusing chap, I love his narration here but his podcast rants are bloody great too - now off to see how to get tickets for the next "Calcio Storico"!

I grew up in Florence playing Rugby, and I have many friends that were playing Calcio Storico. According to research performed by Matteo Poggi, Calcio Storico might have been one of the games that inspired the game of Rugby. Calcio Storico was also played in Leghorn, a port city that used to have an English community that was living and working there. The English community was really integrated with the activities of the City of Leghorn, participating in the Calcio Storico tournaments. According to this research, some of these Englishmen that were living in Leghorn might have introduce this game to England when they went back home. Matteo Poggi's book is called Leghorn 1766 because the English Community was in responsible for the organization the Calcio Storico tournament. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWIZTgc1w30 here is the link of the Interview in Italian

Reminds me of Welsh Valley rugby many years ago ! Even the spectatators joined in especially in the local derbies .

Did anyone check the minute 16:39 where an Azzuri player that's in top of a Rossi one give's him some water? Wow that's really a demon game played by gentlemen, congrats!