retired_angeliwuoma

Having the 2nd best goals for tally in the division is our only saving grace, with the 3rd worst goals against figure however I guess our season could go either way at the moment.

retired_jgilks

That's a point. Anyone know if SI have factored this into FM08? I would think it would be difficult as it would mean the creation of a new league after the 1st season. Not to mention the fact that it's complicated as hell (at least to me).

It would still be disappointing if they didn't but understandable nevertheless....

retired_tinkfaeree

What's so complicated about it?

And it's not only the creation of one new league.

retired_jgilks

The complicated part (for me anyway) is the whole "4 B-teams may enter Bundesliga 3 but only if they appear in the top ten with two from each league unless only one team from one of the leagues finishes in the top ten and then...." part.

Or maybe the explanation on wikipedia is just crap. Or maybe it was because I'd had a couple of drinks. Who knows?

With regards to it not being just one new league, I take it the Regional Ligas Nord and Sud will be joined by others in the fourth tier?

Or will the Regional Liga's be disbanded and the Oberliga's take their place?

retired_tinkfaeree

Okay, time for an explanation of the new structure, it seems.

Right now, the German tier systems looks like this:

1st Tier: 1. Bundesliga (Professional), 18 Teams
2nd Tier: 2. Bundesliga (Professional), 18 Teams
3rd Tier: Regional North (Semi-Pro), 19 Teams, Regional South (Semi-Pro), 18 Teams
4th Tier: 9 Oberligen (5 for the North, 4 for the South)
5th Tier: Loads of Verbandsligen (almost 30, I think)

So, the current problem in Germany is that there are only 36 professional teams. Quite big teams have dropped into the Regionals and many of them face liquidation because of the huge difference between 2. Bundesliga and the Regionals.

For this reason, Germany is inserting a new professional league (3. Bundesliga) at tier 3.

The 3. Bundesliga is going to have 20 teams - the ones going to get relegated from the 2. Bundesliga this season, and the top teams from the two Regional divisions this year (except for the ones that get promoted to the 2. Bundesliga). If B-sides of professional teams qualify for the new 3. Bundesliga, only the top 4 B-Sides may enter. In following seasons, there is no limit for additional B-sides though, if they get promoted.

Below the 3. Bundesliga, there will be three Regional Divisions for the 4th tier with 18 teams each. Regionals West, Regionals South, Regionals North. These teams will come from the bottom of the current Regional divisions, and from the Oberliga.

What's going to happen with the then 5th tier hasn't been decided yet in detail.

retired_clintaaron

Seems clear enough to me.

Didn't they factor in the change in the Swedish leagues last year? Shouldn't be a problem for the developers.

retired_jgilks

So if SI have factored it in, you'd have 2 new German leagues in game. Unless they scrap the Regional leagues after 3. Bundesliga. Does anyone know if and what SI have done?

Sorry for the questions, I was just happy enough for Null Drei to get promoted, I hadn't paid any attention towards any league changes...

retired_lauriekeith

I'd hope we'd be able to play 4 tiers of the german league structure.

retired_crazybonejr

I agree, Germany has suffered from the lack of inclusion of divisions below the Regionalliga, so scrapping anything below the 3. Bundesliga would be a mistake, I feel.

But with SI not being able to negotiate with the DFB/DFL for the rights, who knows what that would bring.

retired_htotton

Macclesfield Town for the premiership!