Livorno promoted back into Serie A after 3 years

LIVORNO, Italy (AP)—Livorno was promoted back into Serie A after a three-year absence by beating Empoli 1-0 in the second leg of the Serie B playoff final Sunday.

Brazilian forward Paulinho scored with a header in the 32nd minute for the Tuscan squad.

The first leg ended 1-1.

Sassuolo and Hellas Verona were already promoted after winning Serie B and finishing runner-up, respectively.

The playoff for the last spot involved the third- through sixth-place finishers in the league.

Brescia and Novara were eliminated in the playoff semifinals.

Livorno finished third in the Serie B table.

The 2013-14 Serie A season begins Aug. 24-25.