Torino edge closer to place in top flight

TORINO will battle it out with Mantova in the Serie B play-off final for the last remaining promotion place to the top flight.

A goal from Torino defender Jacopo Balestri allowed the Granata outfit to beat Cesena 1-0, and 2-1 on aggregate, in the semi-final return leg on Sunday and move one step closer to joining Italy’s Serie A.

Torino, who gained promotion last summer only to be demoted back to Serie B due to financial problems, will travel to the Martelli Stadium on Thursday before hosting Mantova four days later at the Delle Alpi.

The winner will join Atalanta and Catania in Serie A to replace relegated sides Messina, Lecce and Treviso.

Meanwhile, Recreativo Huelva secured promotion and a return to the Spanish first division after a two-year absence on Sunday.

A 3-0 away victory against Numancia allowed Recreativo to join Gimnastic Tarragona as guaranteed newcomers in the Primera Liga next season.

Gimnastic won promotion for the first time since 1946-47 following Saturday’s goalless draw against Jerez.

Recreativo was founded in 1889 and is Spain’s oldest club. The outfit was last promoted in 2002 but relegated one year later.

Third-place Levante, on 70 points with two games left, will battle it out with Ciudad de Murcia (68), Lorca (67) and Almeria (64) for the third and final promotion place.

The promoted teams will replace relegated sides Alaves, Cadiz and Malaga next season.