The Belgian Second Division is the second-highest division in Belgian football. The striker (wearing red jersey) has run past the defender (in white jersey) and is about to take a shot at the goal, while the goalkeeper positions himself to stop the ball. ...

The competition

Each of the annual 18 competitors play against each of its 17 opponents twice. At the end of the season the two lowest-placed teams go to third division (which is divided into 2 series), while the champions of that division are promoted to second division. Furthermore, the 16th placed team plays the third division playoffs with teams from third division. The winner of the playoffs stays or promotes to second division. On the other hand, the champion of second division is qualified for next year first division. The other team being promoted is the winner of second division final round. The Belgian First Division, also known as Jupiler League (for sponsorship reasons), is the top competition in Belgian football. ...

The competition is split into 3 slices. Each of them gives rise to an intermediate classement. The first slice comprises the 10 first matches of each team. The second one comprises the 12 following games, while the third slice refers to the 12 last games period. The winner of each slice is qualified for the final round (see Belgian Second Division Final Round).

History

The second division was created in 1905. At the time, there were two leagues in that division (called Promotion A and Promotion B). In 1926, the system changed with only one league (14 clubs) at the second-higher level called Division One. Then at the end of season 1930-31, the Division One was split in two leagues (14 clubs each). No teams were relegated but the two top clubs promoted each year to Premier Division, replaced by promoting teams from Promotion. In 1952, the division was called Second Division with 16 teams (one league). The first two clubs qualified for first division. In 1974, the first final round is played to access the top level. Finally, in 1994, second division was played between 18 clubs. 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1926 was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1930 is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1931 is a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1952 - Wikipedia /**/ @import /skins/monobook/IE50Fixes. ... 1974 is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ...

The 2005-06 clubs

This year, the 18 participating clubs are the following :

R. Antwerp F.C. is a Belgian football club, from the city of Antwerp in Antwerp (province). ... The Cathedral of our Lady (Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekathedraal, Antwerp)in the Handschoenmarkt, in the old part of Antwerp is the largest cathedral in the Low Countries and is home to a number of triptychs by the Belgian painter, Rubens. ... Beringen is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. ... Deinze is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. ... Dessel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. ... K.V. Mechelen is a Belgian football club from Mechelen in Antwerp. ... Mechelen Cathedral Mechelen (English traditionally Mechlin, French Malines, German Mecheln) is a municipality located in Belgium, Flemish region, province of Antwerp. ... Eupen (French: Néau) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Liège, 10 miles from the German border (Aachen), from the Dutch border Maastricht and from the nature reservation Hohes Venn (Ardennes). ... Geel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Antwerp. ... Hamme is a municipality located in the Belgian province of East Flanders. ... Kortrijk (French: Courtrai) is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. ... Lommel is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Limburg. ... Roeselare (Roulers in French and English) is a municipality in the province of West Flanders, in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium. ... Ronse (French: Renaix) is a municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders, in Belgium. ... Tubize is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Walloon Brabant. ... R. Union Saint-Gilloise is a Belgian football club located in the municipality of Saint-Gilles, Brussels. ... Emblem of the Brussels-Capital Region Flag of The City of Brussels Brussels (Dutch: Brussel, French: Bruxelles, German: Brüssel) is the capital of Belgium and is considered by many to be the de facto capital of the European Union, as two of its three main institutions have their headquarters... Virton is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. ... Leuven in 2004 Leuven (Louvain in French, Löwen in German) is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant, of which it is the capital. ... Sint-Niklaas is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of East Flanders. ... Ostend ( Dutch: Oostende, French: Ostende) is a municipality located in Flanders, one of the three regions of Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders. ...

Past winners

References

• A Belgian football site (http://www.sport.be/fr/football/lagere/fixture.html?comp=2081)