Empoli earn first European entry

ACF Fiorentina, US Città di Palermo and Empoli FC have all assured themselves of UEFA Cup football next season on the penultimate day of Serie A action.

Atalanta key
Palermo and Fiorentina, in fifth and sixth respectively on 55 points each, are both used to European adventures but seventh-placed Empoli, with 54 points, are celebrating a first-ever crack at continental competition. Their qualification was assured with a game to spare when they earned a point and rivals Atalanta BC were frustrated by a 1-1 draw with champions FC Internazionale Milano that left them four points adrift in eighth place.

Reggina rally
Empoli were 3-0 up against relegation-threatened Reggina Calcio inside 23 minutes thanks to goals by Ighli Vannucchi, Davide Moro and Luca Saudati but Reggina rallied after the break as Luca Vigiani reduced the arrears before Nicola Amoruso struck twice, including a penalty five minutes from time to earn a 3-3 draw. Reggina’s recovery moved them above AC Siena, who have dropped into the bottom three, on goal difference.

Siena struggling
Siena went down 2-1 at the hands of Palermo after goals from Eugenio Corini and Andrea Caracciolo. Massimo Maccarone scored a late reply but Siena will now have to at least better Reggina's result at home against Milan next weekend when they welcome S.S. Lazio if other results do not go their way. FC Messina Peloro were already down before today but still managed a 2-2 draw against Fiorentina. Giampaolo Pazzini and Alessandro Gamberini had put the Viola in front only for a Christian Rigano double to ensure parity, with one coming from the spot after he missed an earlier penalty.

Decisive games
AC Chievo Verona moved themselves two points clear of the drop zone with a 1-0 home win against relegated Ascoli Calcio 1898, thanks to Michele Marcolini. They sit level on 39 points with Parma FC, who drew 0-0 at Lazio. Calcio Catania are one point further back after a 1-0 defeat at UC Sampdoria and will hope for something from their home encounter with Chievo next Sunday if they are to preserve at least their point advantage on Reggina and Siena. Elsewhere, Cagliari Calcio beat runners-up AS Roma 3-2 and fellow mid-table rivals Torino FC and AS Livorno Calcio played out a goalless draw.