Football League (Greece)

The Football League ( full name: ΟΠΑΠ Football League, German: ΟPAP Football League ) is the second highest division in Greek football. Previously named the league until August 3, 2010 Beta Ethniki (Greek: ΒΕθνική, German: second National ). The league is sponsored by the lottery and sports betting company OPAP. It is subordinate to the Super League.

Mode

The number of represented in the Football League Teams varied frequently. Initially entered 64 teams into four groups against each other and the group winners played each other the climbers from. Over the years, the group number was reduced to three or two. Since 1983 there is only one league. The number of teams varied in the years: 1983 to 1987 there were 20 from 1987 to 2000 and from 2006 to 2012 there were 18, in 2000/ 01 and from 2002 to 2006 there were 16 and in the 2001/ 02 season, even only 14. at the 2012/13 season the league was expanded to 21 teams.

Each team must compete in a home and an away game against every other team. The two in the table at the end of the season highest ranking teams get into the Super League (until 2006: Alpha Ethniki ) on the two bottom club get into the Football League 2, the third- highest division, from. Analog to the highest league playoffs will take place, which will be held among the teams place between three and six. The associations between number 13 and 16 also carry placement games from around the descent.