Reggina, Sampdoria tie 2-2 as Italian league begins
August 30, 2003

REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy -- Reggina and newly promoted Sampdoria played to a 2-2 tie Saturday in the first game of the season in Italy's top soccer league.

Reggina, which won a playoff against Atalanta in June to stay in Serie A for a second consecutive season, was paced by first-half goals from Francesco Cozza and David Di Michele.

Sampdoria, in Serie A for the first time in four seasons, countered with second-half goals from Fabio Bazzani and Aimo Diana, who played for Reggina last season.

Political and financial issues had threatened to delay the season's start for the second consecutive year until club executives decided in an emergency meeting Friday to begin on time. Serie B was delayed a week.

There will be seven Serie A games Sunday. On Monday night, Ancona hosts AC Milan, which was given an extra day's rest after winning the European Supercup on Friday.

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