Elitserien (Bandy)
The Elitserien since the 2007/2008 season, the top division in the Swedish Bandysport. Prior to the championship round of Bandyallsvenskan Elitserien was called.
Background
Since the introduction of a Swedish bandy championship series in 1931 (then called Division I), this was divided into geographical groups. This approach was discussed at length. Proponents of group classification meant that this system smaller clubs are better options since they achieved higher income by the constant comparisons with the top teams and since the division into groups meant a higher number of clubs in the top league. Opponents pointed out that with the groups, a general loss of quality.
As a first step towards unified national league group stage was (now called Allsvenskan) played from the 1981/82 season only up to the Christmas period. Then the eight best teams determined in a championship round ( Elitserien) the finalists. The other teams played in the so-called Superettan to the following places.
Numerous meetings and negotiations in the season 2004/ 05, the quest consolidated a new first division with 14 clubs to set up. The crucial decision of the Swedish Bandyverbandes on 14 March 2006. The new league from the 2007/ 08 season was named Elitserien. The former first league (Allsvenskan) was the second league.
Game Mode
The 14 teams will play the group stage with home and away games against all other teams, a total of 26 games. Then the eight best teams start with the quarter-finals, with the team on the courts 1 to 4 to choose their opponents. For stations 9 and 10, the season is over. The seats 11 and 12 are required to complete relegation matches against the top six teams in the second division. The teams on the 13th and 14 automatically relegated.
Originally it was thought the Elitserien to reduce to twelve clubs from the 2008/09 season. This project was deferred at the annual meeting of the Bandyverbandes on 16 June 2007 and completely rejected on 14 June 2008.