Parma qualify for Europe

Amauri scored twice as Parma overcame Livorno 2-0 to bring European football back to the Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Amauri scored twice as Parma overcame Livorno 2-0 to bring European football back to the Stadio Ennio Tardini. The Gialloblu will play Europa League football next season after their Brazilian striker broke relegated Livorno's resolve to score twice in the second half and earn the three points that lifted Parma into sixth place on the final day. It could have been so different, though. Victory at Fiorentina for Torino would have steered the Granata into Europe instead and, had Alessio Cerci not missed a stoppage-time penalty, they would have beaten Parma to the prize. Roberto Donadoni's men headed into Sunday night's game under no illusions that their destiny might well be decided by results elsewhere. Eighth-placed AC Milan, entertaining lowly Sassuolo, were also looking to capitalise on any fumbles from the two clubs immediately above them. Torino's task was the toughest, though, as it came at the base of a Fiorentina team already comfortable in fourth place and particularly strong at home. Parma found themselves hosting a Livorno side who were relegated last weekend after conceding their 75th goal of the season. But try as they might, the Gialloblu could not break through the Livorno backline in the first half. Luca Anania, making only his third appearance in goal for the Tuscans, was resolute and had the measure of Parma's best striker Antonio Cassano from the off. He edged a one-on-one encounter with the Bari-born forward in the eighth minute and twice more foiled attacks involving the 31-year-old. Jonathan Biabiany found Anania immovable when trying to turn home Ezequiel Schelotto's cross and allowed the young keeper to put him off later in the half when he was well-placed to hit the target. Livorno's chances were limited before the interval, with Jonny Mosquera's surging run from deep inspiring the biggest cheer from the away fans before he was denied entry to the box by Gabriel Paletta. At half-time it was also goalless in Florence, meaning sixth place was still available to Parma. Cassano tested Anania with a weak header when play resumed. The encouragement from the north stand grew louder as news filtered through that Fiorentina had taken the lead against Torino, but Milan's advantage over Sassuolo saw them briefly poised to reach Europe. A Parma goal would rectify the situation, yet Marco Parolo failed to produce the goods when heading Marco Marchionni's corner wide of a post. Amauri came through for the hosts in the 62nd minute. Cassano lofted the ball into the six-yard box from the corner and Amauri rose highest to head Parma into the lead and into the last Europa League berth. But over in Florence, Marcelo Larrondo soon equalised for Torino to temper expectations back at the Tardini. Parma pushed hard for the second goal that would shore up their victory, but Parolo's cross-shot skipped through the area without finding a team-mate before Leandro Rinaudo swept the ball off Biabiany's feet. Fiorentina pulled ahead once again thanks to Ante Rebic before Amauri edged Parma ever closer to continental football. With 10 minutes to go, the Brazilian recovered well to tuck home the rebound after Anania parried his header from a corner. Jasmin Kurtic's splendid free-kick levelled things up at Fiorentina and Parma were now hoping desperately that Torino ran out of steam at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. The celebrations were put on ice for 60 agonising seconds after Gialloblu fans learned Torino had earned a penalty at the death. And when Cerci's spot-kick was saved, Donadoni stormed on to the Tardini pitch to embrace his triumphant players.