Reggina executed a remarkable escape act on Sunday, their 2-0 win over Champions League winners AC Milan helping them avoid relegation on the final day of the Serie A season.
Reggina were one of a quintet of clubs embroiled in a battle to avoid filling the last remaining relegation place, with that dubious honor eventually falling to Chievo.
The Verona side went down 2-0 at fellow strugglers Catania to join already demoted Ascoli and Messina in Serie B next season.
high stakes
Given the high stakes attached to this encounter the game was played on neutral territory at Bologna's ground.
Chievo's fortunes have fallen sharply this term as at the start of the season they were in the Champions League qualifying round where they were knocked out by Levski Sofia.
Siena ensured their continued existence in the topflight with a 2-1 defeat of third-placed Lazio.
Reggina's exploits were all the more remarkable considering they were docked 15 points at the start of the season for their part in the match-fixing scandal.
Up at the top end already crowned champions Inter Milan rounded off their campaign on the right note with a 3-0 win over Torino for their 30th success of the season.
last goal
Marco Materazzi opened the scoring for Inter with a 12th minute penalty, with Maicon doubling up on the hour mark before Luis Figo converted another penalty for his last goal for the club before leaving to join Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
Inter are joined in the Champions League group stages by second placed Roma, who came out on top in a seven goal thriller against Messina 4-3, with Lazio into the third round qualifier stage.
Roma captain Francesco Totti bagged a double to cement his title as the season's top scorer with 26 goals.
AC Milan finished fourth but qualify automatically as holders of the trophy while the three UEFA Cup places have been claimed by Fiorentina, Palermo and Empoli.
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