2017–18 Third Amateur Football League (Bulgaria)
Football league season
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The 2017–18 Third Amateur Football League season is the 68th season of the Bulgarian Third Amateur Football League. The group is equivalent to the third level of the Bulgarian football pyramid with four divisions existing in it. The divisions themselves are geographically separated into North-West, North-East, South-East, and South-West, covering the football clubs of their respective zones. This is the second season after the reorganization of the Bulgarian football system, which saw the emergence of new competition formats, such as First and Second Professional Football Leagues.
Season2017–18
Relegated
- Benkovski Byala
- Dorostol Silistra
- Yambol
- Rakovski
- Vereya II
- Tundzha Yagoda
- Yantra 1919 Gabrovo
- Miziya Knezha
- Pirin Gotse Delchev
- Elin Pelin
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Promoted | |
| Relegated |
|
← 2016–17 2018–19 → | |
Team changes
To Third LeaguePromoted from Regional Divisions
Relegated from Second League |
From Third LeagueRelegated to Regional Divisions
Promoted to Second League
|
a.^CSKA Sofia II officially declined to participate in the South-West Third League and was dissolved.[1]
Club movements between Third League and Second League
The champions of three Third League divisions gained promotion to the 2017–18 Second League: Chernomorets Balchik from North-East, Litex from North-West and Strumska Slava Radomir from South-West. Maritsa Plovdiv joined the promoted teams as runners-up of the South-East group because champions Zagorets refused to participate for financial reasons.[2] In return, four teams were relegated to the Third League: CSKA Sofia II, Spartak Pleven, Bansko and Levski Karlovo. CSKA Sofia II was dissolved; as a result, Svoboda Peshtera (16th in 2016–17 South-West Third League) was spared from relegation to regional divisions.[3]
Club movements between Third League and the Regional Groups
- North-East: Spartak Varna and Inter Dobrich were relegated last season to regional divisions. The new teams, coming from the regional divisions, are Benkovski Byala (champions of RFG Ruse) and Spartak 1918 (runners-up of A2 RFG Varna). On 21 June 2017, Spartak Varna merged with Spartak 1918.[4]
- North-West: Kom Berkovitsa and Juventus Malchika were relegated from last season to regional divisions. The new teams, coming from the regional divisions, are Botev Lukovit (9th in RFG Lovech), Yantra 1919 Gabrovo (runners-up of RFG Gabrovo) and Yantra Polski Trambesh (champions of A RFG Veliko Tarnovo).[5]
- South-East: Lyubimets and Elhovo were relegated from last season to regional divisions. The new teams, coming from the regional divisions, are Sokol Markovo (runners-up of A RFG Plovdiv) and Tundzha Yagoda (runners-up of RFG Stara Zagora).[6][7]
- South-West: Velbazhd Kyustendil and Chepinets Velingrad were relegated from last season to regional divisions. The new teams, coming from the regional divisions, are CSKA 1948[8] (champions of RFG Sofia (capital)) and Elin Pelin (champions of RFG Sofia (province)). Initially, Kyustendil (champions of RFG Kyustendil) was supposed to participate[9] as winners of the promotion play-off.[10] However, on 14 July 2017, Kyustendil withdrew from participation[11] so the Bulgarian Football Union scheduled an additional play-off between the losers of the promotion play-offs.[12] On 31 July, Bratsigovo refused participation so Elin Pelin was approved as new member of the South-West league.[13]
Northeast group
Stadia and locations
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Dobrudzha Dobrich |
| Promoted | Dobrudzha Dobrich |
| Relegated | Dorostol Silistra Benkovski Byala |
| Matches | 165 |
| Goals | 516 (3.13 per match) |
| Top goalscorer |  Lyubomir Mihalev (15 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Dobrudzha Dobrich 9–0 Benkovski Byala (14 October 2017)[14] Dobrudzha Dobrich 9–0 Botev Novi Pazar (16 May 2018)[15] |
| Biggest away win | Spartak 1918 1–7 Suvorovo (1 October 2017)[16] Spartak 1918 0–6 Dobrudzha Dobrich (22 October 2017)[17] Benkovski Byala 0–6 Suvorovo (25 February 2018)[18] Botev Novi Pazar 0–6 Septemvri Tervel (14 April 2018)[19] |
| Highest scoring | Dobrudzha Dobrich 9–0 Benkovski Byala (14 October 2017)[14] Dobrudzha Dobrich 9–0 Botev Novi Pazar (16 May 2018)[15] |
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 27 May 2018. | |
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benkovski | Byala | Georgi Benkovski | 3,000 |
| Botev | Novi Pazar | Gradski | 8,000 |
| Dobrudzha | Dobrich | Druzhba | 12,500 |
| Dorostol | Silistra | Louis Eyer | 12,000 |
| Hitrino | Hitrino | Hitrino | 600 |
| Kaliakra | Kavarna | Kavarna | 5,000 |
| Kubrat | Kubrat | Gradski | 6,000 |
| Lokomotiv | Ruse | Dunav | 19,960 |
| Septemvri | Tervel | Septemvri | 700 |
| Spartak 1918 | Varna | Lokomotiv | 1,000 |
| Suvorovo | Suvorovo | Suvorovo | 1,000 |
| Svetkavitsa | Targovishte | Dimitar Burkov | 5,000 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dobrudzha Dobrich (C, P) | 30 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 101 | 10 | +91 | 86 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Suvorovo | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 81 | 21 | +60 | 64 | |
| 3 | Lokomotiv Ruse | 30 | 15 | 6 | 9 | 49 | 31 | +18 | 51[a] | |
| 4 | Hitrino | 30 | 14 | 9 | 7 | 43 | 36 | +7 | 51[a] | |
| 5 | Septemvri Tervel | 30 | 14 | 4 | 12 | 48 | 49 | −1 | 46 | |
| 6 | Kaliakra Kavarna | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 40 | 43 | −3 | 42[b] | |
| 7 | Svetkavitsa Targovishte | 30 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 44 | 26 | +18 | 42[b] | |
| 8 | Spartak 1918 | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 43 | 61 | −18 | 36 | |
| 9 | Botev Novi Pazar | 30 | 6 | 3 | 21 | 25 | 78 | −53 | 21 | |
| 10 | Kubrat | 30 | 4 | 5 | 21 | 22 | 61 | −39 | 17 | |
| 11 | Benkovski Byala (R) | 30 | 3 | 3 | 24 | 20 | 100 | −80 | 12 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 12 | Dorostol Silistra[c] (D, R) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[21]
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[21]
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Lokomotiv Ruse ahead of Hitrino on head-to-head record; Lokomotiv Ruse–Hitrino 1–1, Hitrino–Lokomotiv Ruse 1–1, Lokomotiv Ruse with better goal difference.
- Kaliakra Kavarna ahead of Svetkavitsa Targovishte on head-to-head record; Kaliakra Kavarna–Svetkavitsa Targovishte 1–0, Svetkavitsa Targovishte–Kaliakra Kavarna 1–1.
Southeast group
Stadia and locations
Tundzha
Location of teams in 2017–18 South-East Third League
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Arda Kardzhali |
| Promoted | Arda Kardzhali |
| Relegated | Tundzha Yagoda Vereya II Rakovski Yambol |
| Matches | 306 |
| Goals | 1,045 (3.42 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Dimitar Aleksiev (26 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Arda 11–1 Svilengrad (24 February 2018)[22] |
| Biggest away win | Tundzha Yagoda 0–12 Arda (14 March 2018)[23] |
| Highest scoring | Arda 11–1 Svilengrad (24 February 2018)[22] Tundzha Yagoda 0–12 Arda (14 March 2018)[23] |
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 26 May 2018. | |
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arda | Kardzhali | Druzhba Stadium, Kardzhali | 15,000 |
| Asenovets | Asenovgrad | Shipka | 4,000 |
| Atletik | Kuklen | Atletik | 1,000 |
| Borislav | Parvomay | Gradski | 8,000 |
| Dimitrovgrad | Dimitrovgrad | Minyor | 10,000 |
| Eurocollege | Plovdiv | Eurocollege Sport Complex, Orizari | 1,000 |
| Gigant | Saedinenie | Saedinenie | 5,000 |
| Karnobat | Karnobat | Gradski | 3,000 |
| Levski | Karlovo | Vasil Levski | 3,000 |
| Minyor | Radnevo | Minyor | 2,000 |
| Rakovski | Rakovski | Franz Kokov | 3,000 |
| Rozova Dolina | Kazanlak | Sevtopolis | 15,000 |
| Sokol | Markovo | Sokol | 2,500 |
| Svilengrad | Svilengrad | Kolodruma | 1,750 |
| Tundzha | Yagoda | Yagoda | 300 |
| Vereya II | Stara Zagora | Trace Arena | 3,000 |
| FC Yambol | Yambol | Tundzha | 18,000 |
| Zagorets | Nova Zagora | Zagorets | 5,900 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arda Kardzhali (C, P) | 34 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 142 | 7 | +135 | 94 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Zagorets | 34 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 67 | 27 | +40 | 71 | |
| 3 | Minyor Radnevo | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 63 | 34 | +29 | 59 | |
| 4 | Rozova Dolina | 34 | 17 | 6 | 11 | 64 | 41 | +23 | 57 | |
| 5 | Atletik Kuklen | 34 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 55 | 51 | +4 | 56 | |
| 6 | Sokol Markovo | 34 | 16 | 5 | 13 | 63 | 49 | +14 | 53 | |
| 7 | Karnobat | 34 | 16 | 4 | 14 | 65 | 50 | +15 | 52 | |
| 8 | Levski Karlovo | 34 | 16 | 3 | 15 | 51 | 58 | −7 | 51 | |
| 9 | Borislav Parvomay | 34 | 15 | 5 | 14 | 65 | 62 | +3 | 50 | |
| 10 | Asenovets Asenovgrad | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | 53 | 55 | −2 | 49 | |
| 11 | Dimitrovgrad | 34 | 15 | 3 | 16 | 46 | 62 | −16 | 48 | |
| 12 | Svilengrad | 34 | 13 | 4 | 17 | 52 | 89 | −37 | 43[a] | |
| 13 | Gigant Saedinenie | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 33 | 53 | −20 | 43[a] | |
| 14 | Eurocollege | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 63 | 71 | −8 | 42 | |
| 15 | Yambol[b] (R) | 34 | 11 | 5 | 18 | 62 | 59 | +3 | 38 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 16 | Rakovski (R) | 34 | 11 | 2 | 21 | 44 | 65 | −21 | 35 | |
| 17 | Vereya II (R) | 34 | 10 | 3 | 21 | 45 | 88 | −43 | 33 | |
| 18 | Tundzha Yagoda[c] (D, R) | 34 | 0 | 2 | 32 | 15 | 127 | −112 | 2 |
Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[26]
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[26]
(C) Champions; (D) Disqualified; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Svilengrad ahead of Gigant Saedinenie on head-to-head record; Svilengrad–Gigant Saedinenie 3–1, Gigant Saedinenie–Svilengrad 1–1.
Northwest group
Stadia and locations
Levski
Miziya
Tryavna
Vihar
Yantra Polski Trambesh
Location of teams in 2017–18 North-West Third League
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | Kariana |
| Promoted | Kariana |
| Relegated | Miziya Knezha Yantra 1919 Gabrovo |
| Matches | 240 |
| Goals | 741 (3.09 per match) |
| Biggest home win | Kariana 9–0 Tryavna (1 April 2018)[27] |
| Biggest away win | Yantra 1919 Gabrovo 0–5 Akademik Svishtov (17 September 2017)[28] Pavlikeni 1–6 Kariana (10 April 2018)[29] Botev Lukovit 0–5 Kariana (5 May 2018)[30] |
| Highest scoring | Kariana 9–0 Tryavna (1 April 2018)[27] |
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 27 May 2018. | |
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akademik | Svishtov | Akademik | 13,500 |
| Bdin | Vidin | Georgi Benkovski | 15,000 |
| Botev | Lukovit | Gradski | 3,000 |
| Kariana | Erden | Kariana Sport Complex | 1,000 |
| Levski | Levski | Levski | 6,000 |
| Miziya | Knezha | Gradski | 1,000 |
| Partizan | Cherven Bryag | Gradski | 700 |
| Parva Atomna | Kozloduy | Hristo Botev | 3,000 |
| Pavlikeni | Pavlikeni | Gancho Panov | 10,000 |
| Sevlievo | Sevlievo | Rakovski | 5,000 |
| Spartak | Pleven | Pleven | 22,000 |
| Tryavna | Tryavna | Gradski | 3,000 |
| Vihar | Slavyanovo | Gradski | 1,000 |
| Yantra 1919 Gabrovo | Gabrovo | Hristo Botev | 14,000 |
| Yantra Gabrovo | Gabrovo | Hristo Botev | 14,000 |
| Yantra Polski Trambesh | Polski Trambesh | Gradski | 800 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kariana (C, P) | 30 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 100 | 19 | +81 | 80 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Sevlievo | 30 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 60 | 27 | +33 | 64 | |
| 3 | Vihar Slavyanovo | 30 | 17 | 7 | 6 | 68 | 32 | +36 | 58 | |
| 4 | Bdin Vidin | 30 | 16 | 5 | 9 | 57 | 33 | +24 | 53 | |
| 5 | Parva Atomna | 30 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 45 | 29 | +16 | 52 | |
| 6 | Levski | 30 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 42 | 40 | +2 | 46 | |
| 7 | Yantra Gabrovo | 30 | 13 | 4 | 13 | 60 | 39 | +21 | 43 | |
| 8 | Spartak Pleven | 30 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 39 | 46 | −7 | 39 | |
| 9 | Partizan Cherven Bryag | 30 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 34 | 50 | −16 | 37[a] | |
| 10 | Akademik Svishtov | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 45 | 46 | −1 | 37[a] | |
| 11 | Tryavna | 30 | 10 | 6 | 14 | 33 | 47 | −14 | 36 | |
| 12 | Pavlikeni | 30 | 10 | 2 | 18 | 34 | 62 | −28 | 32 | |
| 13 | Botev Lukovit | 30 | 9 | 3 | 18 | 37 | 64 | −27 | 30 | |
| 14 | Yantra Polski Trambesh | 30 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 37 | 61 | −24 | 26 | |
| 15 | Yantra 1919 Gabrovo (R) | 30 | 7 | 2 | 21 | 26 | 71 | −45 | 23 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 16 | Miziya Knezha (R) | 30 | 6 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 75 | −51 | 22 |
Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[31]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[31]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Partizan Cherven Bryag ahead of Akademik Svishtov on head-to-head record; Partizan Cherven Bryag–Akademik Svishtov 2–0, Akademik Svishtov–Partizan Cherven Bryag 2–1.
Southwest group
Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2017–18 South-West Third League
| Season | 2017–18 |
|---|---|
| Champions | CSKA 1948 |
| Promoted | CSKA 1948 |
| Relegated | Elin Pelin Pirin Gotse Delchev |
| Matches | 306 |
| Goals | 878 (2.87 per match) |
| Top goalscorer | Petko Petkov (23 goals) |
| Biggest home win | Belasitsa Petrich 7–0 Pirin Gotse Delchev (10 March 2018)[32] CSKA 1948 7–0 Svoboda Peshtera (14 March 2018)[33] CSKA 1948 7–0 Marek (4 April 2018)[34] |
| Biggest away win | Germanea 0–5 Chavdar Etropole (27 September 2017)[35] |
| Highest scoring | Elin Pelin 3–5 Slivnishki Geroy (2 September 2017)[36] Balkan Botevgrad 6–2 Svoboda Peshtera (30 September 2017)[37] Bansko 6–2 Balkan Botevgrad (18 November 2017)[38] CSKA 1948 7–1 Germanea (19 May 2018)[39] |
← 2016–17 2018–19 →
All statistics correct as of 26 May 2018. | |
| Team | City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balkan | Botevgrad | Hristo Botev | 8,000 |
| Bansko | Bansko | Saint Peter | 3,000 |
| Belasitsa | Petrich | Kolarovo, Kolarovo | 500 |
| Botev | Ihtiman | Hristo Botev | 5,000 |
| Chavdar | Etropole | Chavdar | 5,600 |
| CSKA 1948 | Sofia | Obelya | 700 |
| Elin Pelin | Elin Pelin | Elin Pelin | 5,000 |
| Germanea | Sapareva Banya | Sapareva Banya | 500 |
| Hebar | Pazardzhik | Georgi Benkovski | 13,128 |
| Marek | Dupnitsa | Bonchuk | 8,050 |
| Minyor | Pernik | Minyor | 8,000 |
| Pirin Gotse Delchev | Gotse Delchev | Gradski | 5,000 |
| Pirin Razlog | Razlog | Gradski | 6,500 |
| Rilski Sportist | Samokov | Iskar | 7,000 |
| Septemvri | Simitli | Struma | 8,000 |
| Slivnishki Geroy | Slivnitsa | Slivnishki Geroy | 7,000 |
| Svoboda | Peshtera | Gradski | 3,500 |
| Vihren | Sandanski | Sandanski | 6,000 |
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CSKA 1948 (C, P) | 34 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 95 | 16 | +79 | 92 | Promotion to Second League |
| 2 | Hebar Pazardzhik | 34 | 27 | 3 | 4 | 72 | 24 | +48 | 84 | |
| 3 | Vihren Sandanski | 34 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 70 | 49 | +21 | 62 | |
| 4 | Minyor Pernik | 34 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 53 | 42 | +11 | 54 | |
| 5 | Bansko | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 48 | 34 | +14 | 53 | |
| 6 | Chavdar Etropole | 34 | 14 | 10 | 10 | 63 | 49 | +14 | 52 | |
| 7 | Septemvri Simitli | 34 | 14 | 8 | 12 | 46 | 37 | +9 | 50 | |
| 8 | Slivnishki Geroy | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 50 | 41 | +9 | 46 | |
| 9 | Belasitsa Petrich | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 40 | 46 | −6 | 42 | |
| 10 | Balkan Botevgrad | 34 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 49 | 60 | −11 | 41 | |
| 11 | Botev Ihtiman | 34 | 12 | 4 | 18 | 41 | 64 | −23 | 40 | |
| 12 | Svoboda Peshtera | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 36 | 58 | −22 | 38[a] | |
| 13 | Pirin Razlog | 34 | 10 | 8 | 16 | 40 | 40 | 0 | 38[a] | |
| 14 | Marek Dupnitsa | 34 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 35 | 48 | −13 | 37 | |
| 15 | Rilski Sportist | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 40 | 51 | −11 | 36 | |
| 16 | Germanea | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 38 | 63 | −25 | 35 | |
| 17 | Pirin Gotse Delchev (R) | 34 | 8 | 8 | 18 | 27 | 66 | −39 | 32 | Relegation to Regional Divisions |
| 18 | Elin Pelin (R) | 34 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 34 | 89 | −55 | 21 |
Source: bulgarian-football.com, Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[40]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[40]
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Svoboda Peshtera ahead of Pirin Razlog on head-to-head record; Svoboda Peshtera–Pirin Razlog 1–1, Pirin Razlog–Svoboda Peshtera 1–2.