Liga Artzit
Encyclopedia
Liga Artzit was the third tier of Israeli football after the Premier League and Liga Leumit
, and was run by the Israel Football Association
.
, then goals scored, and if necessary, a mini-league of the results between two or more teams ranked using the previous three criteria and finally a series of one or more play off matches.
In the past at the end of the season, providing they met certain criteria, the top two teams weren promoted to Liga Leumit, and were replaced by the bottom two teams from that league. The teams finishing 11th and 12th in Liga Artzit were relegated to Liga Alef, where they were assigned to a geographically suitable division. They were replaced by the champions of Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South providing they meet criteria for entry into Liga Artzit.
However, the league was abolished at the end of the 2008–09 season as part of structural reforms to the Israeli league system that saw the Premier League and Liga Leumit both expanded to 16 clubs. At the end of the season the top seven clubs were promoted to Liga Leumit; the 8th placed club was played in a play-off round against the 11th placed club in Liga Leumit for a place in Liga Leumit, whilst the 9–12th placed clubs was relegated to Liga Alef.
as the second division (below Liga Leumit), and unlike its regionalised predecessor, was a nationwide league (hence its name). For its first season, Liga Artzit comprised twelve teams. Four teams were demoted from Liga Leumit as it was reduced in size, and the top four clubs from Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South were promoted. In later seasons the number of members varied, though the usual number of clubs was 14.
In 1999, Liga Artzit was demoted to the third tier after the creation of the Premier League. Since then it has consisted of 12 teams.
In 2009, Liga Artzit was closed.
1. After promotion/relegation play-offs.
2. Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata
finished in 11th place, but were reprieved when Maccabi Ramat Amidar folded.
Liga Leumit
Liga Leumit is the second tier in the Israeli football league system below the Premier League.-Structure:There are 16 clubs in the league. At the end of each season, the lowest-placed team are relegated to Liga Alef while the highest-placed team from Liga Alef are promoted in their place...
, and was run by the Israel Football Association
Israel Football Association
The Israel Football Association , also known as IFA, is the governing body of football in Israel. It organizes the football leagues, Israeli Premier League, Israeli State Cup, Toto Cup and the Israeli national football team. The association is based in Ramat Gan...
.
Structure
There were 12 teams in Liga Artzit. Each team played 33 matches; the first 22 matches were played on a home and away basis, with the last 11 fixtures based on league positions after 22 games. Like the majority of leagues in the world, three points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. Final League positions were determined firstly by points obtained, then by goal differenceGoal difference
In sports such as ice hockey and association football, goal difference is often the first tiebreaker used to rank teams which finish a league competition with an equal number of points....
, then goals scored, and if necessary, a mini-league of the results between two or more teams ranked using the previous three criteria and finally a series of one or more play off matches.
In the past at the end of the season, providing they met certain criteria, the top two teams weren promoted to Liga Leumit, and were replaced by the bottom two teams from that league. The teams finishing 11th and 12th in Liga Artzit were relegated to Liga Alef, where they were assigned to a geographically suitable division. They were replaced by the champions of Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South providing they meet criteria for entry into Liga Artzit.
However, the league was abolished at the end of the 2008–09 season as part of structural reforms to the Israeli league system that saw the Premier League and Liga Leumit both expanded to 16 clubs. At the end of the season the top seven clubs were promoted to Liga Leumit; the 8th placed club was played in a play-off round against the 11th placed club in Liga Leumit for a place in Liga Leumit, whilst the 9–12th placed clubs was relegated to Liga Alef.
History
Liga Artzit came into existence in 1974 with a restructuring of Israeli football. It replaced Liga AlefLiga Alef
-History:League football began in Israel in 1949–50, a year after independence. However, the financial and security crises gripping the young nation caused the 1950–51 season to be abandoned before it had started. When football resumed in 1951–52, the new top division went by the name of Liga Alef...
as the second division (below Liga Leumit), and unlike its regionalised predecessor, was a nationwide league (hence its name). For its first season, Liga Artzit comprised twelve teams. Four teams were demoted from Liga Leumit as it was reduced in size, and the top four clubs from Liga Alef North and Liga Alef South were promoted. In later seasons the number of members varied, though the usual number of clubs was 14.
In 1999, Liga Artzit was demoted to the third tier after the creation of the Premier League. Since then it has consisted of 12 teams.
In 2009, Liga Artzit was closed.
Previous seasons
| Season | Winner | Also promoted | Relegated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second tier | |||
| 1974–75 | Maccabi Haifa Maccabi Haifa F.C. Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups... |
||
| 1975–76 | |||
| 1976–77 | Hapoel Hadera Hapoel Hadera F.C. Ironi Sport Eran Hadera–Giv'at Olga F.C. is an Israeli football club from Hadera.The unorthodox name of the team is the result of the union of two city rivals, Hapoel Hadera and Maccabi Hadera.... |
Beitar Netanya, Maccabi Hadera | |
| 1977–78 | Bnei Yehuda | Maccabi Petah Tikva, Hapoel Kfar Saba, Hapoel Rishon LeZion |
Hapoel Beit Shemesh, Maccabi Sha'arayim Maccabi Sha'arayim F.C. Maccabi Sha'arayim is an Israeli football club based in Rehovot. They currently play in the South B division of Liga Bet, but spent seven seasons in the top division from 1963-1969 and in the 1985-86 season.-History:... |
| 1978–79 | Hakoah Ramat Gan | Maccabi Ramat Amidar Maccabi Ramat Amidar F.C. Maccabi Ramat Amidar was an Israeli football club based in Ramat Gan. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 2005 merged into Hakoah Ramat Gan, which became Hakoah Amidar Maccabi Ramat Gan.-History:... , Hapoel Petah Tikva |
Hapoel Marmorek, Hapoel Netanya Hapoel Netanya F.C. Hapoel Netanya Football Club was a football club based in Netanya, Israel.-History:The club was formed in the early 1940s.... , Hapoel Ashdod Hapoel Ashdod F.C. Hapoel Ashdod F.C. was an Israeli football club based in Ashdod. In 1999, it merged with local rivals Ironi Ashdod to create F.C. Ashdod.-History:... |
| 1979–80 | |||
| 1980–81 | Beitar Tel Aviv | Beitar Jerusalem, Maccabi Haifa Maccabi Haifa F.C. Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups... |
|
| 1981–82 | |||
| 1982–83 | Beitar Tel Aviv | Hakoah Ramat Gan, Maccabi Ramat Amidar Maccabi Ramat Amidar F.C. Maccabi Ramat Amidar was an Israeli football club based in Ramat Gan. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but in 2005 merged into Hakoah Ramat Gan, which became Hakoah Amidar Maccabi Ramat Gan.-History:... |
Maccabi Shefa-'Amr, Hapoel Acre Hapoel Acre F.C. Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:... , Hapoel Tel Hanan |
| 1983–84 | Hapoel Haifa | Hapoel Kfar Saba, Hapoel Petah Tikva | Hapoel Beit She'an Hapoel Beit She'an F.C. Hapoel Beit She'an was an Israeli football club based in Beit She'an. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1990s, but after several relegations, folded in 2006.-History:... , Hapoel Nazareth Illit, Hapoel Beit Shemesh |
| 1984–85 | |||
| 1985–86 | Beitar Netanya | Beitar Tel Aviv, Hapoel Lod Hapoel Lod F.C. Hapoel Lod was an Israeli football club based in Lod. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1960s and 1980s, and won the State Cup in 1984. After several relegations, they folded in 2002.-History:... |
Hapoel Ramat HaSharon Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C. Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:... , Hapoel Beit Shemesh, Beitar Haifa Beitar Haifa F.C. Beitar Haifa F.C. is an Israeli football club based in Haifa. The club currently plays in the North A division of Liga Bet.-History:The club was promoted to Liga Artzit in 1983. In 1985-86 they finished bottom of the league, winning only two league matches all season, and were relegated back to... |
| 1986–87 | |||
| 1987–88 | |||
| 1988–89 | |||
| 1989–90 | Tzafririm Holon Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. is an Israeli football club based in the city of Holon. The club was founded in 1985 by a merger of Hapoel Holon and Tzafririm Holon.-Hapoel Holon:... |
Hapoel Tel Aviv | Maccabi Tamra1, Hapoel Rishon LeZion, Hapoel Lod Hapoel Lod F.C. Hapoel Lod was an Israeli football club based in Lod. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1960s and 1980s, and won the State Cup in 1984. After several relegations, they folded in 2002.-History:... |
| 1990–91 | |||
| 1991–92 | |||
| 1992–93 1992–93 Liga Artzit The 1992–93 Liga Artzit season saw Maccabi Herzliya, Ironi Ashdod and Hapoel Kfar Saba promoted to Liga Leumit, the former two for the first time in their histories. Hapoel Ramat Gan and Maccabi Sha'arayim were relegated to Liga Alef... |
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| 1993–94 | Hapoel Rishon LeZion | Hapoel Beit She'an Hapoel Beit She'an F.C. Hapoel Beit She'an was an Israeli football club based in Beit She'an. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1990s, but after several relegations, folded in 2006.-History:... , Beitar Tel Aviv |
Maccabi Acre Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata F.C. Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata is an Israeli football club, located in Kiryat Ata. They play in Liga Alef and play at the Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium.-History:... , Hapoel Daliyat al-Karmel |
| 1994–95 1994–95 Liga Artzit The 1994–95 Liga Artzit season saw Maccabi Jaffa and Hapoel Kfar Saba promoted to Liga Leumit, whilst Hapoel Ashkelon and Hapoel Lod were relegated to Liga Alef.-Final table:... |
|||
| 1995–96 | Hapoel Tayibe Hapoel Tayibe F.C. Hapoel Tayibe F.C. was an Israeli football club based in Tayibe. In 1996 they became the first ever Israeli Arab club to play in the top division. However, they were relegated at the end of their first season in the top flight, and folded in 2003 after three more relegations.-History:The club was... |
Hapoel Jerusalem | Shimshon Tel Aviv, Hapoel Kfar Shalem |
| 1996–97 | Hapoel Ashkelon | Ironi Ashdod Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. , commonly known as Ironi Ashdod, was an Israeli football club based in Ashdod. In 1999, it merged with local rivals Hapoel Ashdod to create F.C. Ashdod.-History:... |
Ironi Kiryat Shmona Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Kiryat Shmona. The club are currently members of the Israeli Premier League and play at the Ironi Stadium... , Hapoel Hadera Hapoel Hadera F.C. Ironi Sport Eran Hadera–Giv'at Olga F.C. is an Israeli football club from Hadera.The unorthodox name of the team is the result of the union of two city rivals, Hapoel Hadera and Maccabi Hadera.... |
| 1997–98 | Maccabi Jaffa | Tzafririm Holon Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. is an Israeli football club based in the city of Holon. The club was founded in 1985 by a merger of Hapoel Holon and Tzafririm Holon.-Hapoel Holon:... |
Hapoel Ramat Gan, Maccabi Yavne Maccabi Yavne F.C. Maccabi Yavne is an Israeli football club based in Yavne. They currently play in the South Division of Liga Alef.-History:The club was promoted to Liga Leumit for the first time in 1982. In 1985 they won the Toto Cup, beating Beitar Jerusalem 2-1 in the final... |
| 1998–99 | Maccabi Netanya | Hapoel Ashdod Hapoel Ashdod F.C. Hapoel Ashdod F.C. was an Israeli football club based in Ashdod. In 1999, it merged with local rivals Ironi Ashdod to create F.C. Ashdod.-History:... , Beitar Tel Aviv, Hapoel Bat Yam, Maccabi Kafr Kanna Maccabi Kafr Kanna F.C. Maccabi Kafr Kanna is an Israeli football club based in Kafr Kanna. The club is currently in Liga Artzit and plays its home matches at the Azmi Nassar Stadium, named after Azmi Nassar-History:... , Hapoel Lod Hapoel Lod F.C. Hapoel Lod was an Israeli football club based in Lod. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1960s and 1980s, and won the State Cup in 1984. After several relegations, they folded in 2002.-History:... , SK Nes Tziona, Hapoel Tayibe Hapoel Tayibe F.C. Hapoel Tayibe F.C. was an Israeli football club based in Tayibe. In 1996 they became the first ever Israeli Arab club to play in the top division. However, they were relegated at the end of their first season in the top flight, and folded in 2003 after three more relegations.-History:The club was... |
|
| Third tier | |||
| Hapoel Ramat Gan | Hapoel Ironi Dimona, Hapoel Iksal | ||
| 2000–01 | Hapoel Ra'anana | Maccabi Kafr Kanna Maccabi Kafr Kanna F.C. Maccabi Kafr Kanna is an Israeli football club based in Kafr Kanna. The club is currently in Liga Artzit and plays its home matches at the Azmi Nassar Stadium, named after Azmi Nassar-History:... |
Maccabi Ashkelon, Maccabi Sha'arayim Maccabi Sha'arayim F.C. Maccabi Sha'arayim is an Israeli football club based in Rehovot. They currently play in the South B division of Liga Bet, but spent seven seasons in the top division from 1963-1969 and in the 1985-86 season.-History:... |
| 2001–02 | Hapoel Jerusalem | Hapoel Nazareth Illit | Hapoel Tayibe Hapoel Tayibe F.C. Hapoel Tayibe F.C. was an Israeli football club based in Tayibe. In 1996 they became the first ever Israeli Arab club to play in the top division. However, they were relegated at the end of their first season in the top flight, and folded in 2003 after three more relegations.-History:The club was... , Maccabi Yavne Maccabi Yavne F.C. Maccabi Yavne is an Israeli football club based in Yavne. They currently play in the South Division of Liga Alef.-History:The club was promoted to Liga Leumit for the first time in 1982. In 1985 they won the Toto Cup, beating Beitar Jerusalem 2-1 in the final... |
| 2002–03 | Hakoah Ramat Gan | Ironi Kiryat Shmona Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona F.C. Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Kiryat Shmona. The club are currently members of the Israeli Premier League and play at the Ironi Stadium... |
Hapoel Bat Yam, Hapoel Kisra-Sumei |
| 2003–04 | Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon F.C. Hapoel Ironi Nir Ramat HaSharon Football Club is an Israeli football based in Ramat HaSharon. They are currently plays in Israeli Premier League at the Winter Stadium, Ramat Gan.-History:... |
Hapoel Acre Hapoel Acre F.C. Hapoel Acre Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Acre, Israel. The club is currently in the Premier League and plays in dark blue shirts with white sleeves, dark blue shorts and white socks.-History:... |
Hapoel Tira, Hapoel Beit She'an Hapoel Beit She'an F.C. Hapoel Beit She'an was an Israeli football club based in Beit She'an. The club spent several seasons in the top division in the 1990s, but after several relegations, folded in 2006.-History:... |
| 2004–05 | Hapoel Ashkelon | Maccabi Be'er Sheva Maccabi Be'er Sheva F.C. Maccabi Be'er Sheva Football Club , is an Israeli football team based in Beersheba. While not nearly as popular as their city rivals, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the club made great strides in recent years including gaining promotion from Liga Bet to the Liga Leumit in just four seasons... |
Hapoel Majd al-Krum2 |
| 2005–06 | Hapoel Bnei Lod | Maccabi Ahi Nazareth | Tzafririm Holon Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. Hapoel Tzafririm Holon F.C. is an Israeli football club based in the city of Holon. The club was founded in 1985 by a merger of Hapoel Holon and Tzafririm Holon.-Hapoel Holon:... , Maccabi Tzur Shalom |
| 2006–07 | Hapoel Ramat Gan | Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion | Hapoel Herzliya Hapoel Herzliya F.C. Hapoel Herzliya is an Israeli football club based in Herzliya. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and play their home matches at the Herzliya Municipal Stadium.-History:... , Maccabi Be'er Sheva Maccabi Be'er Sheva F.C. Maccabi Be'er Sheva Football Club , is an Israeli football team based in Beersheba. While not nearly as popular as their city rivals, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, the club made great strides in recent years including gaining promotion from Liga Bet to the Liga Leumit in just four seasons... |
| 2007–08 | Hapoel Jerusalem | Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata F.C. Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata is an Israeli football club, located in Kiryat Ata. They play in Liga Alef and play at the Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium.-History:... |
Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen F.C. Maccabi HaShikma Ramat Hen Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Ramat Gan. They are currently in Liga Alef.-Notable active & former players:*David Lavi*Vicky Peretz*Liron Vilner*Israel Zviti... , Hapoel Kfar Shalem |
| 2008–09 | Sektzia Nes Tziona | Hapoel Ashkelon, Hapoel Marmorek, Ironi Rishon LeZion, Ironi Bat Yam Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam F.C. Maccabi Ironi Bat Yam is an Israeli football club based in Bat Yam. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and plays at the 3,100-capacity Bat Yam Municipal Stadium.-History:... , Beitar Shimshon Tel Aviv, Hapoel Nazareth Illit |
Maccabi Kafr Kanna Maccabi Kafr Kanna F.C. Maccabi Kafr Kanna is an Israeli football club based in Kafr Kanna. The club is currently in Liga Artzit and plays its home matches at the Azmi Nassar Stadium, named after Azmi Nassar-History:... , Bnei Tamra Hapoel Bnei Tamra F.C. Hapoel Bnei Tamra Football Club was an Israeli football club based in Tamra.-History:During the 1980s the club played in Liga Alef , but were relegated to Liga Bet in 1988. The following season they dropped into Liga Gimel. In 1995 they were promoted back to Liga Bet, but were relegated again in... , Hapoel Umm al-Fahm Hapoel Umm al-Fahm F.C. Hapoel Umm al-Fahm Football Club was an Israeli football club based in Umm al-Fahm.-History:Established in 1968, at the start of the 1990s the club was playing in Liga Alef . At the end of the 1998-99 season they were relegated to Liga Bet North B... , Maccabi Tirat HaCarmel Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel F.C. Maccabi Ironi Tirat HaCarmel Football Club is an Israeli football club based in Tirat Carmel. They are currently in Liga Alef, the third tier.-History:... |
1. After promotion/relegation play-offs.
2. Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata
Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata F.C.
Maccabi Ironi Kiryat Ata is an Israeli football club, located in Kiryat Ata. They play in Liga Alef and play at the Kiryat Ata Municipal Stadium.-History:...
finished in 11th place, but were reprieved when Maccabi Ramat Amidar folded.
External links
- Israel Football Association in HebrewHebrew languageHebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
and EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria... - Liga Artzit Soccerway in EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...