Spezia made Serie A for the
first time in their history by beating Frosinone in a Serie B
promotion play-off Thursday night.
Spezia, from the Ligurian port city of La Spezia, lost 1-0 at
home but had won at Frosinone by the same score in the first leg
and were promoted on the basis of a better league position.
Liguria now has three teams in the top flight: Genoa, its
cross-city rivals Sampdoria, and Spezia.
"Spezia coach Vincenzo Italiano said he had "expected to suffer"
to overcome former Serie A team Frosinone, and hailed his young
squad's fantastic achievement" in the play-offs.
Captain and defender Claudio Terzi said "we played some great
football during the season, but tonight we were too nervy to
play well".
Spezia join Benevento and Crotone in winning promotion to Serie
A.
They will replace Lecce, Brescia and SPAL, who fell from the top
flight this year.
Spezia, nicknamed the 'Aquile' (Eagles), host matches at the
10,336-capacity Stadio Alberto Picco.
Spezia boast an unofficial scudetto from 1944, during WWII, when
they beat the 'Grande Torino' side.
The title was recognised as an unofficial one in 2002. .
The small club have a 114-year history, having been founded in
1906.
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