Reggina Calcio

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Not to be confused with A.C. Reggiana 1919, a Serie C2 team.

Reggina Calcio are the main football club of the Italian city of Reggio Calabria, Calabria. Founded in 1914, they currently play in the Italian top flight league, Serie A, and play their home matches at the 27,763 seater Stadio Oreste Granillo. They are nicknamed amaranto (dark-reds) after their official colour.

History

The club was founded in January 11, 1914 as Unione Sportiva Reggio Calabria, and changed name many times (Società Calcistica Reggio, Reggio Foot Ball Club, Associazione Sportiva Reggina, Società Sportiva La Dominante), finally assuming their current denomination in 1984.

In recent years, Reggina have been alternating between the top two levels of the Italian league. They reached the Italian top division Serie A for the first time in 1999. Two years later, they lost a relegation playoff against Verona, being consequently relegated to Serie B. Reggina finished third in Serie B in 2002, earning a return to Serie A. In 2003, Reggina survived a relegation playoff against Atalanta.

They were indicted in 2006 for sporting fraud as part of the second wave of Serie A scandal investigations. Originally punished with a 15-point deduction for the Serie A 2006-07, then reduced to 11 points following appeal. Despite the heavy deduction of points, Reggina managed to save from relegation, defeating fresh UEFA Champions League winners AC Milan on the final matchday and ending the season with 40 points (including the deduction), just one single point above the third relegation spot, occupied by Chievo. They however poorly started their 2007–08 campaign, causing head coach Massimo Ficcadenti to be sacked and replaced by Renzo Ulivieri.

Reggina are fierce rivals with neighbours Messina, who are just a 15 minute ferry ride away from each other. Two times every season they clash in the Derby dello Stretto (Strait of Messina derby). Over the last few years battles have been close with Reggina having a slight advantage in victories.

Current first team squad

As of 2008-02-01

Out on loan:

Notable former players

References

External links

Official site

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Last updated on Wednesday March 12, 2008 at 21:07:19 PDT (GMT -0700)
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