Belgian Second Division
Encyclopedia
The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in the Belgian football
league system
after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association
in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor, broadcaster
Euro1080
. At the end of the 2009/2010 season, Euro1080
showed no more interest in the league, due to financial terms.
since the 1993-94 season. In the seasons 2008-09 and 2009-10, the second division has been played between 19 teams following the Namur - Geel case (both teams claiming their rights to access the second division).
. The regular season is a double round-robin tournament
played between August and May, with an interruption of 3 weeks in the winter. Beside the overall classification of teams, 3 other rankings are computed, one for each of three periods. The first period consist of the first 10 matchdays, the second of the next 12 matchdays and the third of the final 12 matchdays. At the beginning of each period, all teams start with a blank record for the next period ranking. The winner of the overall regular season is promoted
to the first division. The teams with the best record in each of the 3 periods qualify for the final round, together with the 15th-placed team in the first division. If one or several periods are won by the regular season champion or if another team wins several periods, the best-placed teams in the overall ranking qualify for the final round, so that it is played between 4 teams. The final round is a double round-robin, with the winner earning a place in the first division.
The standings, for both the regular season and the 3 periods, are determined by the following criteria, in order:
The standing for the final round is determined following the same criteria except that the goal-average is not taken into account. A team cannot play in the first division unless it has a professional license
. If it does not have its license, it is replaced if possible, by the next highest team in the overall regular season ranking. For the automatic promotion spot (as opposed to the final round) the team must have finished in the top three clubs. When no team meets those conditions, the number of teams in the first division decreases.
The two lowest-placed teams relegate to the third division
(which is divided into 2 leagues of 18 clubs) and are replaced by the two champions of that division. Furthermore, the 16th-placed team in the second division play the third division play-off with 6 teams from the third division, entering on the second round. The winner of this play-off remains or promotes to the second division.
— K. Rupel Boom F.C. won the Belgian Third Division play-off
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
league system
Belgian football league system
The Belgian football league system is a series of interconnected leagues for club football in Belgium.-The system:Below shows how the current system works. For each division, its official name, sponsorship name and number of clubs is given...
after the Belgian Pro League. It was created by the Belgian Football Association
Belgian Football Association
The Royal Belgian Football Association is the governing body of football in Belgium...
in 1905. Between 2008 and 2010 it was named EXQI League after a television channel owned by the league main sponsor, broadcaster
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
Euro1080
Euro1080
Euro1080 was the first commercial broadcaster in Europe to air full-time HDTV content. It was founded by Gabriel Fehervari in 2004 and is owned by Alfacam....
. At the end of the 2009/2010 season, Euro1080
Euro1080
Euro1080 was the first commercial broadcaster in Europe to air full-time HDTV content. It was founded by Gabriel Fehervari in 2004 and is owned by Alfacam....
showed no more interest in the league, due to financial terms.
History
The second division was created in 1905 and was known as the Promotion at the time. From 1923 on there were two leagues in that division (called Promotion A and Promotion B). In 1926, the system changed with only one league of 14 clubs at the second-highest level now called Division I. At the end of the 1930-31 season, the Division I was split into two leagues again (of 14 clubs each). Each year, the bottom two teams of each league were relegated to the Division II and the top two clubs were promoted to the Premier Division. In 1952, the division was renamed to Division II with 16 teams (one league). The first two clubs qualified for the first division. In 1974, a final round was introduced to qualify a second team to the top level. Finally, in 1994, the number of clubs was increased to 18 clubs. A win earns three pointsThree points for a win
Three points for a win is a standard used in many sports leagues and group tournaments, especially in association football, in which three points are awarded to the team winning a match, with no points to the losing team. If the game is drawn, each team receives one point...
since the 1993-94 season. In the seasons 2008-09 and 2009-10, the second division has been played between 19 teams following the Namur - Geel case (both teams claiming their rights to access the second division).
Competition
The season comprises the regular season (18 teams, 34 matchdays) and the final roundBelgian Second Division Final Round
The Belgian Second Division Final Round is the playoff part of the Belgian Second Division. It is a contested by four teams, the winner being promoted to the first division.-Eligibility:...
. The regular season is a double round-robin tournament
Round-robin tournament
A round-robin tournament is a competition "in which each contestant meets all other contestants in turn".-Terminology:...
played between August and May, with an interruption of 3 weeks in the winter. Beside the overall classification of teams, 3 other rankings are computed, one for each of three periods. The first period consist of the first 10 matchdays, the second of the next 12 matchdays and the third of the final 12 matchdays. At the beginning of each period, all teams start with a blank record for the next period ranking. The winner of the overall regular season is promoted
Promotion and relegation
In many sports leagues around the world, promotion and relegation is a process that takes place at the end of each season. Through it, teams are transferred between divisions based on their performance that season...
to the first division. The teams with the best record in each of the 3 periods qualify for the final round, together with the 15th-placed team in the first division. If one or several periods are won by the regular season champion or if another team wins several periods, the best-placed teams in the overall ranking qualify for the final round, so that it is played between 4 teams. The final round is a double round-robin, with the winner earning a place in the first division.
The standings, for both the regular season and the 3 periods, are determined by the following criteria, in order:
- number of points
- number of wins
- goal-average
- a play-off at a neutral venue (with extra time and penalty shootoutPenalty shootout (football)A penalty shoot-out, referred to as kicks from the penalty mark in the Laws of the Game, is the FIFA official term for a method used in association football to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament following a tied game...
if necessary)
The standing for the final round is determined following the same criteria except that the goal-average is not taken into account. A team cannot play in the first division unless it has a professional license
Belgian professional football license
The Belgian professional football license is a license that any team qualified to play the Belgian Pro League must have obtained. If a qualified team does not obtain the license, it is relegated to the third division. When the license was introduced, it was decided that a team without the license...
. If it does not have its license, it is replaced if possible, by the next highest team in the overall regular season ranking. For the automatic promotion spot (as opposed to the final round) the team must have finished in the top three clubs. When no team meets those conditions, the number of teams in the first division decreases.
The two lowest-placed teams relegate to the third division
Belgian Third Division
The Belgian Third Division is the third highest level in Belgian football. It has two leagues of 18 teams each at the same level. This competition, known as the Belgian Promotion was first played in the 1926-27 season with three leagues, then with four leagues between 1931 and 1952. From 1952...
(which is divided into 2 leagues of 18 clubs) and are replaced by the two champions of that division. Furthermore, the 16th-placed team in the second division play the third division play-off with 6 teams from the third division, entering on the second round. The winner of this play-off remains or promotes to the second division.
Naming
- 1905-1926: Promotion
- 1926-1952: Division I
- 1952-2008: Division II
- 2008-2010: EXQI League
- 2010-Present: Division II
Members for 2010-11
The 18 participating clubs for the 2010-11 season are the following:| Club | Municipality | Province | Finishing position last season |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Antwerp F.C. | Antwerp | Antwerp Antwerp (province) Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp... |
8th |
| R. Boussu Dour Borinage | Boussu Boussu Boussu is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut. As of January 1, 2006, Boussu had a total population of 20,058. The total area is 20.01 km², which gives a population density of 1,002 inhabitants per km².... |
Hainaut | 5th |
| K.S.K. Heist K.S.K. Heist Koninklijke Sportkring Heist is a Belgian association football club from the city of Heist-op-den-Berg in the province of Antwerp. The club plays at Gemeentelijk Sportcentrum and is currently in the Second Division, for the first time in its history... |
Heist-op-den-Berg Heist-op-den-Berg Heist-op-den-Berg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. The municipality comprises the villages of Booischot , Hallaar, Heist-op-den-Berg proper , Itegem, Schriek and Wiekevorst.-History:The 48-meter-high hill on which Heist would... |
Antwerp Antwerp (province) Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp... |
1st of third division A Belgian Third Division A The Belgian Third Division A is one of the two leagues at the third level of the Belgian football league system, the other one being the Belgian Third Division B. This division has existed since the 1952-53 season and is played every year with 16 clubs... |
| F.C. Molenbeek Brussels Strombeek | Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Molenbeek-Saint-Jean Sint-Jans-Molenbeek or Molenbeek-Saint-Jean is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.-Rural beginnings:... |
Brussels Brussels Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union... |
14th |
| R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons is a Belgian football club based in Mons, Belgium. The team was promoted to the Belgian Jupiler League recently on 29 May 2011 after beating Waasland-Beveren in a "Winner-Take-All" Test match of the Final Tour of the Belgian second division and has Re-Joined the Top Belgian League... |
Mons Mons Mons is a Walloon city and municipality located in the Belgian province of Hainaut, of which it is the capital. The Mons municipality includes the old communes of Cuesmes, Flénu, Ghlin, Hyon, Nimy, Obourg, Baudour , Jemappes, Ciply, Harmignies, Harveng, Havré, Maisières, Mesvin, Nouvelles,... |
Hainaut | 3rd |
| K.V. Oostende K.V. Oostende K.V. Oostende is a Belgian association football club, from the municipality of Ostend, West Flanders. It was created in 1904 as V.G. Oostende and it has the matricule n°31.- History :... |
Ostend Ostend Ostend is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders. It comprises the boroughs of Mariakerke , Stene and Zandvoorde, and the city of Ostend proper – the largest on the Belgian coast.... |
West Flanders | 7th |
| Oud-Heverlee Leuven | Leuven Leuven Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium... |
Flemish Brabant Flemish Brabant Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven... |
9th |
| K.V. Red Star Waasland-Beveren | Beveren Beveren Beveren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Beveren proper, Doel, Haasdonk, Kallo, Kieldrecht, Melsele, Verrebroek and Vrasene.... |
East Flanders East Flanders East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders... |
6th |
| K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10... |
Roeselare Roeselare Roeselare is a Belgian city and municipality in the Flemish province of West Flanders. The municipality comprises the city of Roeselare proper and the towns of Beveren, Oekene and Rumbeke.... |
West Flanders | 15th of first division |
| K. Rupel Boom F.C. K. Rupel Boom F.C. Koninklijke Rupel Boom FC is a Belgian association football club based in Boom, Antwerp province currently playing in the Belgian Third Division. They play at the Gemeentelijk Parkstadion in Boom.-History:... |
Boom | Antwerp Antwerp (province) Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp... |
2nd of third division A |
| Standaard Wetteren | Wetteren Wetteren Wetteren is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. The municipality comprises the towns of Massemen, Westrem and Wetteren proper. On January 1, 2006 Wetteren had a total population of 23,209. The total area is 36.68 km² which gives a population density of 633 inhabitants... |
East Flanders East Flanders East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders... |
10th |
| K.V.K. Tienen K.V.K. Tienen Koninklijke Voetbal Klub Tienen is a Belgian association football club from the city of Tienen, Vlaams Brabant. It is currently playing in the second division.-History:... |
Tienen | Flemish Brabant Flemish Brabant Flemish Brabant is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Belgian provinces of Antwerp, Limburg, Liège, Walloon Brabant, Hainaut and East Flanders. Flemish Brabant also completely surrounds the Brussels-Capital Region. Its capital is Leuven... |
12th |
| R.F.C. Tournai R.F.C. Tournai R.F.C. Tournai is a Belgian association football club from the city of Tournai, Hainaut. It is the result of the merger between R. Union Sportive Tournaisienne and R.R.C. Tournaisien in 2002. The club wears the matricule n°26 and plays in the Second Division.- R... |
Tournai Tournai Tournai is a Walloon city and municipality of Belgium located 85 kilometres southwest of Brussels, on the river Scheldt, in the province of Hainaut.... |
Hainaut | 11th |
| F.C. Tubize | Tubize Tubize Tubize is a Walloon municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. On January 1 2006 Tubize had a total population of 22,335. The total area is 32.66 km² which gives a population density of 684 inhabitants per km².... |
Walloon Brabant Walloon Brabant Walloon Brabant is a province of Wallonia in Belgium. It borders on the province of Flemish Brabant and the provinces of Liège, Namur and Hainaut . Its capital is Wavre... |
15th |
| K.F.C. Turnhout | Turnhout | Antwerp Antwerp (province) Antwerp is the northernmost province both of the Flemish Region, also called Flanders, and of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and the Belgian provinces of Limburg, Flemish Brabant and East Flanders. Its capital is Antwerp which comprises the Port of Antwerp... |
16th |
| Lommel United | Lommel Lommel Lommel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. On January 1, 2006 Lommel had a total population of 31,898. The total area is 102.37 km² which gives a population density of 312 inhabitants per km².-Lutlommel:... |
Limburg Limburg (Belgium) Limburg is the easternmost province of modern Flanders, which is one of the three main political and cultural sub-divisions of modern Belgium. It is located west of the river Meuse . It borders on the Dutch provinces of North Brabant and Limburg and the Belgian provinces of Liège, Flemish Brabant... |
2nd |
| F.C. Verbroedering Dender E.H. | Denderleeuw Denderleeuw Denderleeuw is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the towns of Denderleeuw proper, Iddergem and Welle. On January 1, 2006 Denderleeuw had a total population of 17,357. The total area is 13.77 km² which gives a... |
East Flanders East Flanders East Flanders is a province of Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. It borders on the Netherlands and in Belgium on the provinces of Antwerp, Flemish Brabant , of Hainaut and of West Flanders... |
13th |
| C.S. Visé C.S. Visé Cercle Sportif Visé is a Belgian football club from the city of Visé in the province of Liège. They are playing in the Belgian second division. The club plays its home matches at Stade de la Rue de Mons in Visé. They are nicknamed Les Oies , after the city of Visé nickname.-History:The club was... |
Visé Visé Visé is a Walloon municipality and city of Belgium, where it is located on the river Meuse, in the province of Liège.The municipality consists of the former municipalities of Visé, Lanaye, Lixhe, Richelle, Argenteau and Cheratte.... |
Liège Liège (province) Liège is the easternmost province of Belgium and belongs to the Walloon Region. It is an area of French and German ethnicity. It borders on the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, and in Belgium the provinces of Luxembourg, Namur, Walloon Brabant , and those of Flemish Brabant and Limburg . Its... |
1st of third division B Belgian Third Division B The Belgian Third Division B is one of the two leagues at the third level of the Belgian football league system, the other one being the Belgian Third Division A. This division has existed since the 1952-53 season and is played every year with 16 clubs... |
— K. Rupel Boom F.C. won the Belgian Third Division play-off
Past winners
| Season | Winner | Runner-Up | Playoff Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons is a Belgian football club based in Mons, Belgium. The team was promoted to the Belgian Jupiler League recently on 29 May 2011 after beating Waasland-Beveren in a "Winner-Take-All" Test match of the Final Tour of the Belgian second division and has Re-Joined the Top Belgian League... |
K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel Lommel United is a Belgian association football club based in the city of Lommel, Limburg.It was founded as K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel, often referred to as K.V.S.K. United, in 2003 following the bankruptcy of K.F.C. Lommel S.K. The remains of the club were integrated into K.V.V.... |
Lierse S.K. Lierse S.K. Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups... |
| 2006-07 | F.C. Verbroedering Dender E.H. | Y.R. K.V. Mechelen | Y.R. K.V. Mechelen |
| 2007-08 | K.V. Kortrijk K.V. Kortrijk Koninklijke Voetbalclub Kortrijk is a Belgian professional football club based in Kortrijk, West Flanders. They have been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2008-09 season, and they achieved they best ranking ever during the 2009-10 season, finishing 4th after the play-offs... |
A.F.C. Tubize A.F.C. Tubize Association Football Clubs Tubize, also known as A.F.C. Tubize is a Belgian football club located in the city of Tubize. The club last promoted to the first division in 2008. The club was founded in 1989 as the result of a merger of two clubs, F.C... |
A.F.C. Tubize A.F.C. Tubize Association Football Clubs Tubize, also known as A.F.C. Tubize is a Belgian football club located in the city of Tubize. The club last promoted to the first division in 2008. The club was founded in 1989 as the result of a merger of two clubs, F.C... |
| 2008-09 | K. Sint-Truidense V.V. | Lierse S.K. Lierse S.K. Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups... |
K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare K.S.V. Roeselare is a Belgian football club, from the city of Roeselare in West Flanders. Its matricule is the n°134. It has last played in the Belgian Pro League from 2005-06 to 2009-10... |
| 2009-10 | Lierse S.K. Lierse S.K. Koninklijke Lierse Sportkring is a Belgian professional football club, from the city of Lier in the Antwerp province. Lierse has been playing in the Belgian Pro League since the 2010-11 season and they have already won the competition 4 times. They also have won 2 Belgian Cups... |
K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel Lommel United is a Belgian association football club based in the city of Lommel, Limburg.It was founded as K.V.S.K. United Overpelt-Lommel, often referred to as K.V.S.K. United, in 2003 following the bankruptcy of K.F.C. Lommel S.K. The remains of the club were integrated into K.V.V.... |
K.A.S. Eupen K.A.S. Eupen Königliche Allgemeine Sportvereinigung Eupen is a Belgian association football club based in the city of Eupen in the German-speaking Community of Belgium, in the province of Liège. They are a Belgian German-speaking club. They first reached the Belgian Pro League in the 2010–11 season. Eupen... |
| 2010-11 | Oud-Heverlee Leuven | Lommel United | R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons R.A.E.C. Mons is a Belgian football club based in Mons, Belgium. The team was promoted to the Belgian Jupiler League recently on 29 May 2011 after beating Waasland-Beveren in a "Winner-Take-All" Test match of the Final Tour of the Belgian second division and has Re-Joined the Top Belgian League... |