History of Genoa CFC

Historical outline

The creation of the Italian Football Federation and the Italian Football Championship raised the level of football in Italy. Genoa competed in the first Italian Championship in 1898 at Velodromo Umberto I in Turin, defeating Ginnastica Torino 2–1 in their first official game on 8 May, then winning the championship later that day by beating Internazionale Torino 3–1 after extra time. For the following season, the club changed its name to Genoa Cricket & Football Club, dropping Athletic, and adopted white and blue vertical stripes, known in Italy as biancoblu. Genoa won their second title on 16 April 1899 by again beating Internazionale Torino 3–1. They secured a third consecutive title in 1900, beating local rivals Sampierdarenese 7–0—a winning margin not bettered in the league until 1910—and defeating FBC Torinese 3–1 in the final. In 1901 the club strip changed again to its famous red-navy halves, becoming known as the rossoblu, colours still used today. After finishing runners-up to Milan Cricket and Football Club, Genoa regained the title in 1902 for their fourth championship. From 1903, Juventus emerged as serious contenders, but Genoa beat the Old Lady in the national final for two consecutive seasons. Genoa became the first Italian football team to play an international match, visiting France on 27 April 1903 and winning 3–0 against FVC Nice. They won the Italian championship in 1904, and that year Genoa reserves also won the first ever II Categoria league season, a proto-Serie B. From 1905 onward, when they were runners-up, Genoa lost their foothold on the Italian championship as clubs such as Juventus, Milan and Pro Vercelli stepped up.