[Serie D - 2008-09] Latest verdicts

Serie D is the highest non-professional football league in Italy. Ranking below Lega Pro Seconda Divisione - the fourth and last professional league, Serie D is considered as the fifth tier in the Italian football league system.

This page rounds up all the latest news from Serie D as teams chase automatic promotion and fight for survival. We will update all of the main verdicts as the 2008-09 season comes to an end.

LAST UPDATED: Sunday 21 June 2009.

> Serie D Background information
The 2008-09 Serie D season consists a total of 166 teams split into 9 regional divisions (Girone), usually formed of 18 teams each (but also 19 or 20 in some). Only the champions of each division are promoted to Lega Pro Seconda Divisione (Lega Pro 2) each year, replacing the 9 teams that are relegated.

Four teams from each division are relegated each year to the Eccellenza - the regional amateur leagues directly below Serie D. The bottom two teams are relegated automatically, while the four teams ranked directly above them play a two-legged play-out tie, with the two losers relegated as well.


> Serie D Promotions & Relegations
Serie D Girone A
Biellese won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 3-3 draw at Sestri Levante in Week 37 on 10 May 2009. The Bianconeri, based in Biella in Piedmont, had an unassailable four-point lead over second-placed Spezia and the points gap remained the same by the end of the league season.

At the other end of the table, Novese were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 37 on 10 May 2009. Lottogiaveno joined them in Week 38 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone B
Pro Belvedere Vercelli won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 1-1 home draw against Solbiatese in Week 33 on 10 May 2009. The Vercellese, who merged with Trino in 2006 and are based in Piedmont, had an unassailable seven-point lead over second-placed Renate and that's how the league season ended.

At the other end of the table, Fanfulla were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 33 on 10 May 2009. Borgomanero joined them in Week 34 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone C
Sacilese won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-1 win at Domegliara in Week 33 on 10 May 2009. The Biancorosso, who are based in Sacile in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, had an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Eurotezze. At the end, they finished eight points clear of their closest challengers.

At the other end of the table, Bolzano-Boznen were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 32 on 3 May 2009. Sandona' joined them in Week 34 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone D
Crociati Noceto won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-0 win at home to Fiorenzuola in Week 34 on 17 May 2009. Noceto, based in the Emilia-Romagna region, secured their promotion on the final day of the season finishing six points ahead of second-placed Castellarano, who lost 1-0 at Feralpi Lonato.

At the other end of the table, Verucchio were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 32 on 3 May 2009. Comacchio Lidi joined them in Week 34 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone E
Sporting Lucchese won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 1-0 home win over second-placed Gavorrano in Week 33 on 4 April 2009. The Rossoneri, based in Lucca in Tuscany, had an unassailable 18-point lead over their promotion-chasing opponents and return to professional football following last year's demotion from the-then Serie C1 (now Lega Pro 1) for financial difficulties. At the end, they finished 12 points clear.

At the other end of the table, Massese were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 31 on 22 March 2009. Armando Picchi joined them in Week 38 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone F
Pro Vasto won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-1 win at Tolentino in Week 34 on 17 May 2009. Vasto, based in the central Abruzzo region, secured their promotion on the final day of the season finishing just one point ahead of second-placed Fano, who beat Luco Canistro 2-1.

At the other end of the table, Grottammare were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 33 on 10 May 2009. Maceratese joined them in Week 34 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone G
Villacidrese won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-0 win at Gaeta in Week 33 on 10 May 2009. The Biancoazzurri, who are based in Villacidro on the island of Sardinia, had an unassailable five-point lead over second-placed Tavolara. At the end, they finished six points clear of their closest rivals.

At the other end of the table, Calangianus were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 29 on 4 April 2009. Civitavecchia joined them in Week 34 on 17 May 2009.

Serie D Girone H
Brindisi won promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-1 home win over Matera in Week 31 on 26 April 2009. The Biancazzurri, based in Apulia, had an unassailable 10-point lead over second-placed Nocerina and return to the fourth tier just five years after going bankrupt and starting again in the Eccellenza regional leagues. At the end, they finished eight points clear.

At the other end of the table, Venafro were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 31 on 26 April 2009. Gelbison Cilentovallo joined them in Week 32 on 3 May 2009.

Serie D Girone I
Siracusa became the first Serie D side to earn promotion to Lega Pro 2 after a 2-1 home win over Rosarno in Week 32 on 29 March 2009. The Aretusei, based in Sicily, had an unassailable 16-point lead over second-placed Vico Equense and third-placed Sapri and return to professional football for the first time in 14 years. At the end, they finished a massive 17 points clear.

At the other end of the table, Castiglione were automatically relegated to the Eccellenza in Week 35 on 26 April 2009. Savoia joined them in Week 37 on 10 May 2009.


> Scudetto Dilettanti
The nine champions of each division enter an end-of-season tournament to determine the overall Serie D champion and is awarded the Scudetto Dilettanti. They take part in an initial two-match triangular group tournament before the semi-final and the final.

Sunday 24 / Wednesday 27 / Sunday 31 May
Group A: Pro Belvedere Vercelli 0-1 Sacilese / Biellese 3-1 Pro Belvedere Vercelli / Sacilese 4-4 Biellese.
Group B: Pro Vasto 2-1 Sporting Lucchese / Sporting Lucchese 3-3 Crociati Noceto / Crociati Noceto 4-4 Pro Vasto.
Group C: Siracusa 0-0 Brindisi / Villacidrese 3-4 Siracusa / Brindisi 2-1 Villacidrese.
Sunday 7 / Sunday 14 June
Semi-Finals: Biellese 2-2 Siracusa, Pro Vasto 4-2 Sacilese / Siracusa 1-1 Biellese, Sacilese 2-2 Pro Vasto.
Saturday 20 June
Final (in Aprilia): Pro Vasto A-A Siracusa (Abandoned at 2-0, Pro Vasto handed 3-0 result. They win the Scudetto Dilettanti).


> Coppa Italia Serie D
The Serie D Coppa Italia is a knock-out based competition involving teams from Serie D. All games, including the final, are on a home and away basis.

Sapri have won the 2009 Coppa Italia Serie D after a 3-0 aggregate win in the final. The first leg took place on 22 April 2009 and Villacidrese of Sardinia won 1-0 on home soil. However, Sapri from Campania decided to appeal against that result as the Sardinian side used an unregistered player during the match. The sporting courts decided to hand Sapri a 3-0 first leg result, and as a result of appeals of that decision - which were rejected, the return leg was delayed until 20 May 2009. Sapri successfully held onto their advantage after Villacidrese, who have since won promotion to Lega Pro 2, could only pick up a goalless draw in the return match.


> Promoted to Serie D
A total of 36 teams will win promotion from the Eccellenza regional amateur leagues with 28 league champions, seven play-off winners and the winner of the Coppa Italia Dilettanti.

Eccellenza league champions (28): Miglianico (Abruzzo), Pisticci (Basilicata), Sambiase (Calabria), Casertana (Campania A), Forza e Coraggio Benevento (Campania B), Dorando Pietri Carpi (Emilia-Romagna A), Valleverde Riccione (Emilia-Romagna B), Manzanese (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), Pomezia (Lazio A), Virtus Latina (Lazio B), Borgorosso Arenzano (Liguria), Vigevano (Lombardy A), Ponte San Pietro-Isola (Lombardy B), Pedrengo (Lombardy C), Bikkembergs Fossombrone (Marche), Bojano (Molise), Borgosesia (Piedmont A), Acqui (Piedmont B), Virtus Casarano (Apulia), Sanluri (Sardinia), Mazara (Sicily A), Milazzo (Sicily B), Rosignano Sei Rose (Tuscany A), Monteriggioni (Tuscany B), Porfido Albiano (Trentino-Alto Adige), Group Citta di Castello (Umbria), Villafranca Veronese (Veneto A), Adriese (Veneto B).
Special promotion (1): L'Aquila (Abruzzo). L'Aquila were sitting top of the regional Abruzzo league before a devastating earthquake struck the area in April - postponing their season. As a result, the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND) decided to hand a special promotion to the club. Another automatic spot to Serie D went to the other club who finished top - Miglianico.
Eccellenza play-off winners (7): Rossanese (Calabria), Latina (Lazio A), Cantu Sanpaolo (Lombardy B), Palazzolo (Lombardy C), Aquanera (Piedmont B), Ostuni (Apulia), Selargius (Sardinia).
Coppa Italia Dilettanti winners/runners-up (1): Castel Rigone (Umbria). Virtus Casarano of Apulia beat Castel Rigoni 4-0 in the final of the Coppa Italia Dilettanti which took place on May 13 in Rome. But with Virtus Casarano already automatically promoted from the Apulia Eccellenza regional league, Castel Rigoni, as runners-up, take the Coppa's automatic promotion spot to Serie D.