The first legs of the Serie B promotion play-off semi-finals were played this evening, with Spezia earning a comfortable 2-0 win away to Catanzaro, while Cremonese lost 2-1 at Juve Stabia.

Sassuolo and Pisa already secured automatic promotion, so there is one more spot left to be in Serie A next season.

These ties will be decided with the second leg played on Sunday May 25, then the Final is played on Thursday May 29 and Sunday June 1.

In the preliminary rounds, Catanzaro saw off Cesena, while Juve Stabia eliminated Palermo.

Spezia and Cremonese earned direct access to the semi-finals after finishing third and fourth respectively in the Serie B table.

The rules state that if the play-offs are tied after two legs, then the team that finished higher up the regular season Serie B standings will go through.

There are no plans for extra time or a penalty shoot-out.