Serie D 2007-08

Serie D, the fifth level of Italian Football, is composed of 162 teams divided into nine divisions of 18 teams each.

The regular Serie D season started September 2, 2007 and continues through to May 4, 2008 with each team playing 34 matches, two matches against every other team in the division. The nine division winners are automatically promoted to Serie C2 for the 2008-09 season, while the two last-placed teams are automatically relegated to Eccellenza.

After the regular season is complete, teams placed 13 through to 16 in each division play a double-leg series (13 vs 16, 14 vs 15) where the winners remain in Serie D the following season and the two losers are also relegated to Eccellenza for a total of 4 relegations in each division, 36 in total for the league.

The nine division winners enter a tournament to determine the over-all Serie D champion and is awared the Scudetto Dilettanti.

Teams placed second through fifth in each division enter a playoff tournament after the regular season as well. Eventually, a final game determines which team finishes first and which teams comes in second in this 36-team playoff, and these teams may be bumped up to Serie C2 in 2008-09 if one or more current C2 teams runs into financial difficulties or is penalized.

Events and results

Promotions

On March 30, 2008, Alessandria from "Girone A" and Isola Liri from "Girone G" were mathematically ensured of the Serie D title in their respective divisions five weeks before the end of the regular season, thus winning promotion to Serie C2. To note, Isola Liri ensured a place in professional football for their first time. [cite web| url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/24230/Nocerina,+ok+nel+derby.+Siracusa+ko |publisher=Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |accessdate=2008-03-31 |date=2008-03-30 |title=Nocerina, ok nel derby. Siracusa ko] They were followed on April 13 by "Girone D" and "Girone E" winners Giacomense and Figline, [cite web| url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/26092/Giacomense+e+Figline+promosse+in+C2 |publisher=Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |accessdate=2008-04-16 |date=2008-04-13 |title=Giacomense e Figline promosse in C2] on April 20 by Itala San Marco [cite web| url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/27061/L'+Itala+San+Marco+promossa+in+C2 |publisher=Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |accessdate=2008-04-27 |date=2008-04-20 |title=L' Itala San Marco promossa in C2] and on April 27 by fallen giants Como and Cosenza. [cite web| url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/27884/Cosenza+e+Como%2C+promozione+in+C2 |publisher=Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |accessdate=2008-04-27 |date=2008-04-27 |title=Cosenza e Como, promozione in C2] On May 4 Sangiustese and Aversa Normanna won the last two remaining Serie C2 spots, winning their respective divisions just on the final matchday. [cite web| url=http://www.corrieredellosport.it/Notizie/Calcio/28734/Sangiustese+e+Aversa+in+C2 |publisher=Corriere dello Sport |language=Italian |accessdate=2008-05-13 |date=2008-05-04 |title=Sangiustese e Aversa in C2]

Final standings

Legend

Girone C

"teams from Veneto & Friuli-Venezia Giulia"

Girone F

"teams from Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo & Molise"

Girone I

"teams from Campania, Calabria & Sicily"

Group C

Final

"Played June 9, 2008 in Tolentino, Marche"

"Winners: Aversa Normanna (H)"

Tie-breakers

Girone C - 12th-13th place - played May 11, 2008

"Sandonà forced to play in relegation playoffs"

Relegation playoffs

"Played May 18 & 25, 2008"
"in case of aggregate tie score, higher classified team wins"
"team highlighted in green saved, other is relegated to Eccellenza"

Notes and references