Catania
Hi everyone! Today I'd like to talk to you about Catania Società Sportiva Dilettantistica, better known as Catania, the football team of the city of Catania, currently playing in Serie D of the Italian championship.
The History
Origins and Foundation of the First Professional Squad
The first sports club in the province of Catania was founded in 1908 under the name "Associazione Sportiva pro Educazione Fisica". The football section was established in 1910, participating in the early amateur tournaments.
In the 1920s, with the advent of official championships, the leading teams in the city were "U.S. Catanese" and "Juventus Catania F.C." who participated in the initial official tournaments. In 1929, with the arrival of professionalism in football, the "Società Sportiva Catania 1929-1930" was born, resulting from the merger of various football clubs.
The 1930s, The Change of Name and The War
The "S.S. Catania" started from the Second Division championship in the 1929-1930 season. It won the Prima Divisione championship in 1933-1934 and obtained its first promotion to Serie B. In its first year in the cadet ranks, the team finished third in the standings, fighting until the end for promotion to Serie A.
In the 1936-1937 season, the club changed its name to "Associazione Fascista Calcio Catania 1936-1937". In 1953-1954, the team was promoted for the first time to Serie A, playing 17 Serie A championships and obtaining its best positioning in several occasions: 8th place in 1960-1961, 1963-1964, 1964-1965 and 2012-2013.
The Results
Catania is the fifth most important football team in Southern Italy for sports tradition. It has won one Serie B championship and six Serie C championships. Other noteworthy results include the 1964 Coppa delle Alpi final and the 2007-2008 Coppa Italia semifinals. It was also one of the eight clubs that represented the Italian Football Federation in the 1960 Coppa delle Alpi, won by the Italian Federation.
The Refounding
In December 2021, the society suffered a bankruptcy that led to exclusion from the Serie C championship in April 2022. Fortunately, the society was refounded and admitted to the Serie D championship in Group I in 2022, bringing all the football tradition of Catania with it.
Conclusions
In summary, Catania Società Sportiva Dilettantistica was founded in 1929 and has always been one of the most important football teams in Southern Italy. It has played for several years in Serie A and achieved noteworthy results such as one Serie B championship and six Serie C championships. Despite a recent bankruptcy, the team has been refounded and has brought all the football tradition of Catania with it. Now, the team plays in the Italian Serie D and will try to return soon to the highest levels of Italian football. Forza Catania!
