Serbian Superliga
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Serbian Superliga |
|---|
 Serbian Superliga 2007-08 |
 |
| Founded |
| 2006 |
| Nation |
 Serbia |
| Relegation To |
| Prva Liga Telekom Srbija |
| Number of Teams |
| 12 |
| European Qualification |
| Champions League UEFA Cup Intertoto Cup |
| Domestic Cups |
| Serbian Cup |
| Current Champions (2007-08) |
| Partizan |
| Website |
| Official |
The Serbian Superliga (officially known as the Meridian Superliga for sponsorship reasons), is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top echelon of the Serbian football league system.
The Yugoslav First League (as it was then known) was formed in 1992 and is currently contested by twelve clubs from across Serbia. In a total of sixteen seasons, the title has been won by only three teams: Partizan (nine times), Crvena Zvezda (six times), and Obilić (once).
The current Superliga champions are Partizan. UEFA currently ranks the league 20th in Europe.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Format
The Superliga began as a league with a playoff system in an attempt to boost ratings and improve competition. After the first season however, the superliga changed it's format. The 2007-08 season was the first to be played in a more traditional format. The league no longer divided into a playoff and playout group midway through the campaign. Instead, the 12 teams began playing each other three times in a more conventional league format.
The champion of the Superliga begins it's UEFA Champions League campaign in the second round of qualifying as a seeded team. The second, and third placed teams compete in the qualifying for the UEFA Cup as seeded teams. The second place team however begins in the second round while the third place side joins Serbia's Domestic Cup winner in the first round of qualifying. The fourth placed team is Serbia's representative in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
The last two teams at the end of the season get relegated to the Second Division known as Prva Liga Telekom Srbija.
The team holding 10th position at the end of the season is not automatically relegated. It plays against the winner from the Prva Liga Telekom Srbija playoff in a two-legged matchup for the right to play in the Superliga.
[edit] History
The Superliga was known as the Yugoslav First League after its creation in 1992 since the country was still known as Yugoslavia. In 2003, Yugoslavia was renamed to Serbia and Montenegro and the football league followed suit. The First League of Serbia and Montenegro contained 16 teams, but the current Superliga has only 12 in an attempt to bring up the level of play. The Football Association of Serbia questioned their decision prior to the 2007-08 season but have decided that there will be no changes in the number of teams.
The first official kick-off under the name of Meridian Superliga was on August 5, 2006. Crvena Zvezda ended up lifting the trophy that season and are officially the first Serbian champions.
[edit] Champions
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Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
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[edit] Top scorers
| Season | Player | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
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 Anto Drobnjak Vesko Mihajlović |
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Vojvodina |
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Savo Milošević |
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Savo Milošević |
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Vojislav Budimirović |
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Zoran Jovičić |
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Saša Marković |
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Dejan Osmanović |
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Mateja Kežman |
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Petar Divić |
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Zoran Đurašković |
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 Zvonimir Vukić |
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Nikola Žigić |
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Marko Pantelić |
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Srđan Radonjić |
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Srđan Baljak |
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[edit] Current clubs
The following twelve clubs are currently competing in the Serbian Superliga.
- Banat, Zrenjanin
- Bežanija, Belgrade
- Borac, Čačak
- Čukarički, Belgrade
- Hajduk, Kula
- Mladost, Lučani
- Napredak, Kruševac
- OFK Beograd, Belgrade
- Partizan, Belgrade
- Crvena Zvezda, Belgrade
- FK Smederevo, Smederevo
- Vojvodina, Novi Sad
[edit] Sponsorship
The Serbian Superliga currently has three major sponsors.
- Meridian Bank is the league's general sponsor.
- Nike is the league's official ball.
- Western Union is a sponsorship partner.
[edit] UEFA Ranking
Current National League Ranking
- 15
Super League Greece - 16
TBI A Football Group - 17
Swiss Super League - 18
Norwegian Premier League - 19
Ligat ha'Al - 20 Superliga
- 21
Danish Superliga - 22
Austrian Bundesliga
(see UEFA coefficients full list for more information)
