L'Italia Football Primo

[Michael McBride]

Announced today in Rome, the revival of the Beautiful Game in Italy. For many years, Italians have dominated the sport, known as association football by most of the world... and soccer by Americans. For many months, Italy has had four teams playing internationally. The Roma Reds, still owned by the Harlands, whose predecessors were the Redemptio Reds, compete in Liga Mundo in Serie Tercera, currently sitting in third with a 5-1-2 record and 16 points. Milan FC, owned by the Sforza Family, competes in the Ark Premier League where they currently sit in fifth with a 0-1-0 record and 1 point. Inter Venice, sponsored by major shipping conglomerate Transporto Italiano, compete in the Super League Division 2, and are waiting for the season to start. And finally, Coxsmith United, owned by Tom Dobbs personally, compete in the Power League Division 7:95 and are currently in 4th with a 2-0-1 record and 6 points.

However, with today's announcement, these four teams will now also have obligations at home and competition for homegrown talent (such as stars-in-the-making Ronaldo Bazzani of the Reds or Arrigo Giovanna of Inter Venice). The twenty team field is a large one, though league owners are convinced the league will be profitable and be a success. A full list of teams are below. All teams have their current value next to them, which allows them to determine how much they can spend on transfer players and salaries. If a team has no writing next to them, they currently have no sponsor. International companies can sponsor any team of their choice, which will increase the team's purchasing power and value, and hopefully increase their success on the pitch. All teams played on opening day in celebration of the new league's christening. The team standings is where people will find teams they can sponsor in their current rankings.

1. Milan FC - Owned by the Sforza Family

2. Inter Venice - Sponsored by Transporto Italiano

3. Coxsmith United - Owned by Tom Dobbs

4. Florence FC - Sponsored by Evan Hiley

5. Ancona - Sponsored by AI Corp

6. FC Novara - Sponsored by Natalia Ivanova, Prime Minister of Yuktobania

7. Roma Reds - Owned by the Harlands

8. Turin United - Sponsored by Benjamin Wallace, Duke of Darwin

9. FC Genoa - Sponsored by Beijing Air

10. Ferrara FC

11. Livorno

12. FC Trieste

13. Bologna

14. Pisa FC

15. La Spezia

16. Terni United

17. Trento FC

18. Verona

19. FC Ravenna

20. Bergamo

Home teams are listed on the left. Winners are in bold. Draws are in italics. Scores on the right.

Results:

(5)Roma Reds v. (16)FC Ravenna 0-0

(19)Bergamo v. (18)Verona 3-0

(11)Pisa FC v. (8)FC Trieste 4-2

(1)Milan FC v. (20)Trento FC 2-0

(9)Inter Venice v. (17)Bologna 0-2 - Upset of the Week

(2)Coxsmith United v. (12)Terni United 3-0

(6)FC Genoa v. (15)Livorno 0-0

(10)Florence FC v. (14)La Spezia 2-1

(3)Turin United v. (4)FC Novara 1-3

(7)Ancona v. (13)Ferrara FC 1-2 - Game of the Week

Standings

Team - Record - Points - Ranking Change

1. (2) Coxsmith United - 3-0-0 - 9 - (+1)

2. (1) Milan FC - 3-0-0 - 9 - (-1)

3. (4) FC Novara - 3-0-0 - 9 - (+1)

4. (5) Roma Reds - 2-1-0 - 7 - (+1)

5. (10) Florence FC - 2-0-1 - 6 - (+5)

6. (11) Pisa FC - 2-0-1 - 6 - (+5)

7. (3) Turin United - 2-0-1 - 6 - (-4)

8. (6) FC Genoa - 1-2-0 - 5 - (-2)

9. (7) Ancona - 1-1-1 - 4 - (-2)

10. (13) Ferrara FC - 1-1-1 - 4 - (+3)

11. (8) FC Trieste - 1-1-1 - 4 - (-3)

12. (9) Inter Venice - 1-0-2 - 3 - (-3)

13. (19) Bergamo - 1-0-2 - 3 - (+6)

14. (17) Bologna - 1-0-2 - 3 - (+3)

15. (12) Terni United - 1-0-2 - 3 - (-3)

16. (15) Livorno - 0-2-1 - 2 - (-1)

17. (14) La Spezia - 0-1-2 - 1 - (-3)

18. (16) FC Ravenna - 0-1-2 - 1 - (-2)

19. (20) Trento FC - 0-0-3 - 0 - (+1)

20. (18) Verona - 0-0-3 - 0 - (-2)

Edited January 25, 2010 by Pravus Ingruo

[The FSM]

AI Corp would be interested in purchasing ownership of the Ancona Team

[Michael McBride]

AI Corp would be interested in purchasing ownership of the Ancona Team

The current ownership is not looking to sell their recently started team, but would be interested in acquiring AI Corp as a major sponsor. They do ask, however, what AI Corp does.

[Sargun II]

A spokesman for Evan Hiley, who was unavailable for public comment, said that it is his personal wish to purchase (or sponsor) Florence FC.

[The FSM]

The current ownership is not looking to sell their recently started team, but would be interested in acquiring AI Corp as a major sponsor. They do ask, however, what AI Corp does.

AI Corp would view corporate sponsorship as an acceptable alternative. AI Corp is a major conglomerate based on the island of Ustica in the Sicilian League. AI Corp does a variety of things, including banking, media and a variety of different shipping and manufacturing operations. The leading cable news network in the Sicilian League, SNC (Sicilian News Corporation), is a subsidiary of AI Corp for example.

[Michael McBride]

A spokesman for Evan Hiley, who was unavailable for public comment, said that it is his personal wish to purchase (or sponsor) Florence FC.

A sponsorship would be fine. As these teams are new, the owners don't want them changing hands so quickly. However, as the season wears on, some of the teams in the latter half of the table may be looking for new ownership, but only time will tell.

[Michael McBride]

AI Corp would view corporate sponsorship as an acceptable alternative. AI Corp is a major conglomerate based on the island of Ustica in the Sicilian League. AI Corp does a variety of things, including banking, media and a variety of different shipping and manufacturing operations. The leading cable news network in the Sicilian League, SNC (Sicilian News Corporation), is a subsidiary of AI Corp for example.

OOC: lolNewsCorp.

IC:

Arcona will be glad to be sponsored by AI Corp. Appropriate changes to their jerseys are being made for their next match.

[The FSM]

OOC: lolnewscorp indeed

IC:

AI Corp is happy an agreement could be reached, we look forward to seeing how the season plays out

[Elrich von Richt]

Hikari Enterprises would be interested in aquiring FC Novara.

[Michael McBride]

Hikari Enterprises would be interested in aquiring FC Novara.

Once again, teams are not up for sale at the moment, they are up for sponsorships. If Hikari Enterprises is still interested in sponsoring FC Novara, please submit a description of what your company does.

[Razgriz 2K9]

OOC: Can gov't official from other countries sponsor or is that illegal?

[Michael McBride]

OOC: Can gov't official from other countries sponsor or is that illegal?

OOC: If an individual wants to sponsor a team, as Evan Hiley did, that is fine. It does not matter if they hold a government position or not. However, another country would not be able to sponsor a team.

[Subtleknifewielder]

Bejamin Wallace, Duke of Darwin, has expressed interest in sponsoring Turin FC.

[Razgriz 2K9]

OOC: If an individual wants to sponsor a team, as Evan Hiley did, that is fine. It does not matter if they hold a government position or not. However, another country would not be able to sponsor a team.

Natalia Ivanova, Prime Minister of Yuktobania, would like to sponsor FC Novara

[Michael McBride]

Bejamin Wallace, Duke of Darwin, has expressed interest in sponsoring Turin FC.

Natalia Ivanova, Prime Minister of Yuktobania, would like to sponsor FC Novara

Both teams have accepted. If Hikari Enterprises still wishes to sponsor a team, please send us a description of what your company does and which team you would like to sponsor.

[Michael McBride]

Week Two was an exciting one in L'Italia Football Primo this week. Unlike last week, where no road teams were able to notch three points, four road teams won this week, including in what turned about to be game of the week, as the Roma Reds visited Bergamo.

Game of the Week Recap

The Reds were clearly looking past Bergamo this week, coming out with a traditional, yet out of practice for them, 4-4-2 lineup, featuring mostly young players and players new to the team, including recent wire pickup Cesar Gouiffe à Goufan. Indeed, it was one of the youngest Reds lineups ever assembled, with Goufan (23), Lloyd (24), Bazzani (17), Feeney (18), DeLeon (21), Dorsey (21), Parrish (19), Morrison (23), Osborn (26), Le (35), and Laarman (24) taking the pitch (ages in parentheses). Bergamo came out firing, putting two past Laarman, who had been stopping 61% of shots in international league play, before the first half was done. Bergamo looked to be on the verge of an epic upset.

However, with Michael Harland watching from the stands, the Reds came out in their classic 3-5-2, pulling Morrison and inserting 29 year old scoring machine Irvin Velazquez, and began playing their style of football. A goal just two minutes into the second half by Bazzani, followed by a marker by Velazquez just minutes later tied it up before Goufan sealed it in the 91st minute, sending the Reds to a 2-0 start in league play.

All games and scores listed below. Numbers in parenthesis are the team's standing rank. Home teams on the left.

(20) Bergamo v. (7) Roma Reds 2-3 - Game of the Week

(14) Pisa FC v. (19) FC Ravenna 1-0

(1) Milan FC v. (18) Verona 3-1

(2) Inter Venice v. (12) FC Trieste 1-2 - Upset of the Week

(3) Coxsmith United v. (17) Trento FC 3-0

(9) FC Genoa v. (13) Bologna 4-0

(4) Florence FC v. (16) Terni United 0-1

(8) Turin United v. (11) Livorno 3-1

(5) Ancona v. (15) La Spezia 2-2

(10) Ferrara FC v. (6) FC Novara 1-2

Standings

Team - Record - Points - Ranking Change

1. (1) Milan FC - 2-0-0 - 6 - (NC)

2. (3) Coxsmith United - 2-0-0 - 6 - (+1)

3. (8) Turin United - 2-0-0 - 6 - (+5)

4. (6) FC Novara - 2-0-0 - 6 - (+2)

5. (7) Roma Reds - 2-0-0 - 6 - (+2)

6. (9) FC Genoa - 1-1-0 - 4 - (+3)

7. (5) Ancona - 1-1-0 - 4 - (-2)

8. (12) FC Trieste - 1-1-0 - 4 - (+4)

9. (2) Inter Venice - 1-0-1 - 3 - (-7)

10. (4) Florence FC - 1-0-1 - 3 - (-6)

11. (14) Pisa FC - 1-0-1 - 3 - (+3)

12. (16) Terni United - 1-0-1 - 3 - (+4)

13. (10) Ferrara FC - 0-1-1 - 1 - (-3)

14. (15) La Spezia - 0-1-1 - 1- (+1)

15. (11) Livorno - 0-1-1 - 1 - (-4)

16. (19) FC Ravenna - 0-0-2 - 0 - (+3)

17. (13) Bologna - 0-0-2 - 0 - (-4)

18. (18) Verona - 0-0-2 - 0 - (NC)

19. (20) Bergamo - 0-0-2 - 0 - (+1)

20. (17) Trento FC - 0-0-2 - 0 - (-3)

[Sir Keshav IV]

"Premier Rorschach wishes to sponsor FC Genoa. The Company which the Premier has decided to use is Beijing Air."

[Subtleknifewielder]

"Looks like I picked a winning team."

~Duke Bejamin Wallace

[Michael McBride]

Week 3 in L'Italia Football Primo showed more promise for teams this week. The most shocking results thus far lie in polar opposites from each other. The first is positive: Pisa FC. The team was finished to pick 20th in the 20 team league, and yet through three weeks they sit in 6th place overall with a 2-0-1 record. The second is negative: Inter Venice. They were picked to finish 3rd in the league and currently sit in 12th overall with a 1-0-2 record. They also lost their first game in international play of a new season.

Game of the Week recap:

Ferrara FC at Ancona: The game looked like it was going to be a high scoring affair as both teams scored within the first ten minutes off of breakaways, but then both defenses solidified. The game winning marker didn't come until the 75th minute from Ferrara's Michael Papri, who curled a corner kick past the keeper and into the net. Ancona was not able to score again, giving Ferrara their first win of the season.

Results:

(5)Roma Reds v. (16)FC Ravenna 0-0

(19)Bergamo v. (18)Verona 3-0

(11)Pisa FC v. (8)FC Trieste 4-2

(1)Milan FC v. (20)Trento FC 2-0

(9)Inter Venice v. (17)Bologna 0-2 - Upset of the Week

(2)Coxsmith United v. (12)Terni United 3-0

(6)FC Genoa v. (15)Livorno 0-0

(10)Florence FC v. (14)La Spezia 2-1

(3)Turin United v. (4)FC Novara 1-3

(7)Ancona v. (13)Ferrara FC 1-2 - Game of the Week

Standings

Team - Record - Points - Ranking Change

1. (2) Coxsmith United - 3-0-0 - 9 - (+1)

2. (1) Milan FC - 3-0-0 - 9 - (-1)

3. (4) FC Novara - 3-0-0 - 9 - (+1)

4. (5) Roma Reds - 2-1-0 - 7 - (+1)

5. (10) Florence FC - 2-0-1 - 6 - (+5)

6. (11) Pisa FC - 2-0-1 - 6 - (+5)

7. (3) Turin United - 2-0-1 - 6 - (-4)

8. (6) FC Genoa - 1-2-0 - 5 - (-2)

9. (7) Ancona - 1-1-1 - 4 - (-2)

10. (13) Ferrara FC - 1-1-1 - 4 - (+3)

11. (8) FC Trieste - 1-1-1 - 4 - (-3)

12. (9) Inter Venice - 1-0-2 - 3 - (-3)

13. (19) Bergamo - 1-0-2 - 3 - (+6)

14. (17) Bologna - 1-0-2 - 3 - (+3)

15. (12) Terni United - 1-0-2 - 3 - (-3)

16. (15) Livorno - 0-2-1 - 2 - (-1)

17. (14) La Spezia - 0-1-2 - 1 - (-3)

18. (16) FC Ravenna - 0-1-2 - 1 - (-2)

19. (20) Trento FC - 0-0-3 - 0 - (+1)

20. (18) Verona - 0-0-3 - 0 - (-2)