2016–17 Third Amateur Football League (Bulgaria)

The 2016–17 Third Amateur Football League season was the 67th season of the Bulgarian Third Amateur Football League. The league is equivalent to the third level of the Bulgarian football pyramid, with a total of four divisions within it. The divisions themselves are geographically separated into Northwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest. This was the first season following the 2016 reorganization of the Bulgarian football league system, which saw the emergence of new a competition format, including the First and Second Professional Football Leagues.[1]

Third Amateur Football League
Season2016–17

Changes from the 2015–16 season

Club Movements Between V Group and B Group

The champions of the four 2015–16 V AFG divisions gained promotion to the 2016–17 Second League: Chernomorets Balchik from V AFG Northeast and Nesebar from V AFG Southeast, Etar Veliko Tarnovo from V AFG Northwest and CSKA Sofia from V AFG Southwest. Chernomorets Balchik refused to participate for financial reasons,[2] while a new club CSKA Sofia was formed with the merger of Chavdar Etropole and Litex Lovech and was invited by the Bulgarian Football Union directly to the newly formed First League.[3]

In return, four teams were relegated to the Third League: Dobrudzha Dobrich, Septemvri Simitli, Lokomotiv Mezdra and Litex Lovech II.

Club Movements Between V Group and the Regional Groups

Northeast group

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Northeast Third League
Northeast Third League
Season2016–17
ChampionsChernomorets Balchik
PromotedChernomorets Balchik
RelegatedSpartak Varna
Inter Dobrich
Biggest home winSpartak Varna 7–0 Dorostol
(8 October 2016)[4]
Dobrudzha Dobrich 7–0 Kubrat
(11 March 2017)[5]
Biggest away winBotev Novi Pazar 0−5 Suvorovo
(26 October 2016)[6]
Highest scoringDorostol 5–2 Hitrino
(27 August 2016)[7]
Spartak Varna 7–0 Dorostol
(8 October 2016)[4]
Lokomotiv Ruse 5–2 Kubrat
(20 November 2016)[8]
Dobrudzha Dobrich 7–0 Kubrat
(11 March 2017)[5]
Team City Stadium Capacity
Botev Novi PazarNovi PazarGradski8,000
Chernomorets BalchikBalchikGradski3,100
Dobrudzha DobrichDobrichDruzhba12,500
Dorostol SilistraSilistraLouis Eyer12,000
HitrinoHitrinoHitrino
Inter DobrichDobrichDruzhba (artificial ground)
Kaliakra KavarnaKavarnaKavarna5,000
KubratKubratGradski6,000
Lokomotiv RuseRuseDunav19,960
Spartak VarnaVarnaLokomotiv1,000
SuvorovoSuvorovoSuvorovo1,000
Svetkavitsa TargovishteTargovishteDimitar Burkov5,000
Septemvri TervelTervelSeptemvri700

Regular season
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Chernomorets Balchik 22 19 3 0 49 7 +42 60 Qualification to Championship round
2 Dobrudzha Dobrich 22 17 4 1 55 8 +47 55
3 Suvorovo 22 12 3 7 41 20 +21 39
4 Kaliakra Kavarna 22 11 3 8 33 24 +9 36
5 Botev Novi Pazar 22 11 1 10 21 37 −16 34
6 Septemvri Tervel 22 7 7 8 21 25 −4 28
7 Lokomotiv Ruse[lower-alpha 1] 22 6 9 7 28 24 +4 27
8 Svetkavitsa Targovishte 22 5 8 9 15 28 −13 23 Qualification to Relegation round
9 Kubrat 22 6 4 12 21 39 −18 22
10 Hitrino 22 6 2 14 18 32 −14 20
11 Dorostol Silistra 22 4 3 15 15 43 −28 15
12 Spartak Varna[lower-alpha 2] (D, R) 22 4 1 17 21 51 −30 10 Relegation to Regional Divions
13 Inter Dobrich[lower-alpha 3] (D, R) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0[lower-alpha 4]
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.[12]
(D) Disqualified; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Marisan Ruse merged with Ruse into Lokomotiv Ruse on 23 June 2016.
  2. On 19 December 2016, Spartak Varna were deducted 3 points for non-attendance of their game against Chernomorets Balchik.[9] On 22 February 2017, following non-attendance of their game against Kubrat, Spartak Varna were expelled from the league. All remaining fixtures are awarded 0–3 against them.[10]
  3. Inter Plachidol moved to Dobrich on 17 June 2016.
  4. On 10 October 2016, Inter Dobrich resigned from participation, according to the club as a manner of protest against inadequate punishment of their player. All fixtures involving the team were annulled.[11]

Championship round
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion
1 Chernomorets Balchik (C, P) 28 24 4 0 67 9 +58 76 Promotion to Second League
2 Dobrudzha Dobrich 28 20 6 2 69 13 +56 66
3 Suvorovo 28 16 4 8 51 28 +23 52
4 Kaliakra Kavarna 28 12 4 12 42 38 +4 40
5 Botev Novi Pazar 28 12 1 15 23 51 −28 37
6 Lokomotiv Ruse 28 8 11 9 32 30 +2 35
7 Septemvri Tervel 28 8 8 12 26 38 −12 32
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.[13]
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted.

Relegation round
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
1 Svetkavitsa Targovishte 25 6 9 10 17 29 −12 27
2 Kubrat 25 6 7 12 24 42 −18 25
3 Hitrino 25 6 4 15 20 36 −16 22
4 Dorostol Silistra 25 5 5 15 17 44 −27 20
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.[14]

Southeast group

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Southeast Third League
Southeast Third League
Season2016–17
ChampionsZagorets
PromotedMaritsa Plovdiv
RelegatedLyubimets
Elhovo
Top goalscorerVentsislav Gyuzelev (31)[15]
Biggest home winUragan Boyadzhik 11–1 Rakovski
(22 April 2017)[16]
Biggest away winLyubimets 0–7 Zagorets
(20 May 2017)[17]
Highest scoringUragan Boyadzhik 11–1 Rakovski
(22 April 2017)[16]
Team City Stadium Capacity
ArdaKardzhaliPerperek Stadium, Perperek420
AsenovetsAsenovgradShipka4,000
AtletikKuklenAtletik1,000
BorislavParvomayGradski8,000
DimitrovgradDimitrovgradMinyor10,000
ElhovoElhovoStefan Karadzha
EurocollegePlovdivEurocollege Sport Complex, Orizari
GigantSaedinenieSaedinenie5,000
KarnobatKarnobatGradski3,000
LyubimetsLyubimetsGradski4,000
MaritsaPlovdivMaritsa8,000
MinyorRadnevoMinyor2,000
RakovskiRakovskiFranz Kokov3,000
Rozova DolinaKazanlakSevtopolis15,000
SvilengradSvilengradKolodruma1,750
UraganBoyadzhikMadaba Stadium, Kabile
Vereya IIStara ZagoraTrace Arena3,000
ZagoretsNova ZagoraZagorets5,900

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Zagorets Nova Zagora[lower-alpha 1] (C) 34 26 6 2 77 13 +64 84
2 Maritsa Plovdiv[lower-alpha 1] (P) 34 26 0 8 95 25 +70 78 Promotion to Second League
3 Karnobat 34 23 4 7 79 35 +44 73
4 Rozova Dolina Kazanlak 34 20 4 10 69 38 +31 64
5 Atletik Kuklen 34 15 8 11 58 44 +14 53
6 Borislav Parvomay 34 14 8 12 60 48 +12 50
7 Eurocollege Plovdiv 34 14 4 16 64 65 −1 46
8 Uragan Boyadzhik 34 13 6 15 55 66 −11 45
9 Asenovets Asenovgrad 34 13 5 16 50 56 −6 44
10 Dimitrovgrad 34 12 7 15 35 39 −4 43
11 Vereya II 34 12 5 17 66 76 −10 41[lower-alpha 2]
12 Gigant Saedinenie 34 12 5 17 51 71 −20 41[lower-alpha 2]
13 Svilengrad 34 11 8 15 41 52 −11 41[lower-alpha 2]
14 Rakovski 34 11 7 16 52 81 −29 40
15 Minyor Radnevo 34 11 6 17 39 58 −19 39[lower-alpha 3]
16 Arda Kardzhali 34 11 6 17 49 69 −20 39[lower-alpha 3]
17 Lyubimets[lower-alpha 4] (R) 34 9 6 19 38 79 −41 33 Relegation to Regional Divisions
18 Elhovo (R) 34 4 3 27 27 90 −63 15
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.[19]
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Zagorets declined promotion due to financial and organizational reasons; runners-up Maritsa Plovdiv took their place.[18]
  2. Vereya II ahead of Gigant Saedinenie and Svilengrad on head-to-head record; Vereya II 8 pts, Gigant Saedinenie 5 pts, Svilengrad 2 pts.
  3. Minyor Radnevo ahead of Arda Kardzhali on head-to-head record; Arda Kardzhali–Minyor Radnevo 3–1, Minyor Radnevo–Arda Kardzhali 2–0.
  4. Lyubimets took the place of Spartak Plovdiv after the latter declared its withdrawal on 11 August 2016.

Northwest group

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Northwest Third League
Northwest Third League
Season2016–17
ChampionsLitex
PromotedLitex
RelegatedKom Berkovitsa
Juventus Malchika
Top goalscorerRumen Rangelov (24)[20]
Biggest home winSevlievo 11–0 Kom Berkovitsa
(12 March 2017)[21]
Biggest away winKom Berkovitsa 0–10 Bdin Vidin
(28 May 2017)[22]
Highest scoringKariana 11–3 Yantra Gabrovo
(23 April 2017)[23]
Team City Stadium Capacity
Bdin VidinVidinGeorgi Benkovski15,000
Kariana ErdenErdenKariana Sport Complex1,000
Miziya KnezhaKnezhaGradski1,000
Kom BerkovitsaBerkovitsaMramor3,000
LevskiLevskiLevski6,000
Litex LovechLovechGradski8,100
Juventus MalchikaMalchikaGeorgi Karchev1,000
Partizan Cherven BryagCherven BryagGradski700
Parva Atomna KozloduyKozloduyHristo Botev3,000
PavlikeniPavlikeniGancho Panov10,000
SevlievoSevlievoRakovski5,000
Vihar SlavyanovoSlavyanovoGradski1,000
Akademik SvishtovSvishtovAkademik13,500
TryavnaTryavnaGradski3,000
Yantra GabrovoGabrovoHristo Botev14,000

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Litex Lovech[lower-alpha 1] (C, P) 28 25 2 1 114 9 +105 77 Promotion to Second League
2 Kariana Erden 28 21 4 3 90 18 +72 67
3 Sevlievo 28 18 4 6 69 33 +36 58
4 Levski 28 17 4 7 50 26 +24 55
5 Bdin Vidin 28 16 4 8 82 33 +49 52
6 Vihar Slavyanovo 28 15 5 8 70 29 +41 50
7 Akademik Svishtov 28 11 5 12 43 41 +2 38
8 Parva Atomna Kozloduy[lower-alpha 2] 28 10 5 13 43 56 −13 35
9 Pavlikeni 28 10 4 14 42 49 −7 34[lower-alpha 3]
10 Yantra Gabrovo 28 10 4 14 49 61 −12 34[lower-alpha 3]
11 Tryavna 28 8 7 13 35 50 −15 31[lower-alpha 4]
12 Miziya Knezha 28 7 10 11 38 59 −21 31[lower-alpha 4]
13 Partizan Cherven Bryag 28 6 5 17 23 72 −49 23
14 Kom Berkovitsa (R) 28 2 1 25 20 140 −120 7 Relegation to Regional Divisions
15 Juventus Malchika (R) 28 1 2 25 18 110 −92 5
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.[24]
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Botev Lukovit merges with reestablished Litex Lovech into Litex Lovech.
  2. Dunav 98 (Selanovci) merges with Botev Kozloduy into Parva Atomna.
  3. Pavlikeni ahead of Yantra Gabrovo on head-to-head record; Yantra Gabrovo–Pavlikeni 0–1, Pavlikeni–Yantra Gabrovo 1–1.
  4. Tryavna ahead of Miziya Knezha on head-to-head record; Miziya Knezha–Tryavna 1–1, Tryavna–Miziya Knezha 0–0.

Southwest group

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2016–17 Southwest Third League
Southwest Third League
Season2016–17
ChampionsStrumska Slava Radomir
PromotedStrumska Slava Radomir
RelegatedVelbazhd Kyustendil
Chepinets Velingrad
Top goalscorerTsvetelin Tsakovski (29)
Biggest home winGermanea 11–1 Chepinets Velingrad
(21 August 2016)[25]
Biggest away winChepinets Velingrad 0–8 Pirin Gotse Delchev
(9 November 2016)[26]
Highest scoringGermanea 11–1 Chepinets Velingrad
(21 August 2016)[25]
Team City Stadium Capacity
Balkan BotevgradBotevgradHristo Botev8,000
Belasitsa PetrichPetrichKolarovo, Kolarovo
Botev IhtimanIhtimanHristo Botev5,000
Chavdar EtropoleEtropoleChavdar5,600
Chepinets VelingradVelingradChepinets8,000
Germanea Sapareva BanyaSapareva BanyaSapareva Banya500
Hebar PazardzhikPazardzhikGeorgi Benkovski13,128
Marek DupnitsaDupnitsaBonchuk8,050
Minyor PernikPernikMinyor8,000
Pirin Gotse DelchevGotse DelchevGradski5,000
Pirin RazlogRazlogGradski6,500
Rilski Sportist SamokovSamokovIskar7,000
Septemvri SimitliSimitliStruma8,000
Slivnishki GeroySlivnitsaSlivnishki Geroy7,000
Strumska SlavaRadomirGradski5,000
Svoboda PeshteraPeshteraGradski3,500
Velbazhd KyustendilKyustendilOsogovo13,000
Vihren SandanskiSandanskiSandanski6,000

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Strumska Slava (C, P) 34 23 9 2 76 20 +56 78 Promotion to Second League
2 Septemvri Simitli 34 21 9 4 62 28 +34 72
3 Minyor Pernik 34 20 8 6 58 37 +21 68
4 Slivnishki Geroy 34 19 2 13 69 39 +30 59[lower-alpha 1]
5 Belasitsa Petrich 34 16 11 7 52 34 +18 59[lower-alpha 1]
6 Hebar Pazardzhik[lower-alpha 2] 34 18 4 12 68 41 +27 58
7 Chavdar Etropole[lower-alpha 3] 34 17 2 15 60 46 +14 53
8 Marek Dupnitsa 34 15 7 12 51 50 +1 52
9 Rilski Sportist Samokov 34 12 7 15 53 61 −8 43
10 Pirin Gotse Delchev 34 12 6 16 45 41 +4 42
11 Pirin Razlog[lower-alpha 4] 34 11 8 15 36 55 −19 41
12 Balkan Botevgrad 34 11 7 16 54 55 −1 40
13 Botev Ihtiman 34 12 2 20 49 72 −23 38[lower-alpha 5]
14 Germanea Sapareva Banya 34 11 5 18 52 52 0 38[lower-alpha 5]
15 Vihren Sandanski 34 10 7 17 36 46 −10 37[lower-alpha 6]
16 Svoboda Peshtera[lower-alpha 7] 34 11 4 19 36 75 −39 37[lower-alpha 6]
17 Velbazhd Kyustendil (R) 34 9 5 20 44 63 −19 32 Relegation to Regional Divisions
18 Chepinets Velingrad (R) 34 5 3 26 33 119 −86 18
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.[28]
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Slivnishki Geroy ahead of Belasitsa Petrich on head-to-head record; Belasitsa Petrich–Slivnishki Geroy 1–0, Slivnishki Geroy–Belasitsa Petrich 2–0.
  2. Chiko Byaga merges with Hebar Pazardzhik into Hebar Pazardzhik.
  3. Pravets merges with reestablished Chavdar Etropole into Chavdar Etropole.
  4. Malesh Mikrevo merges with reestablished Pirin Razlog into Pirin Razlog.
  5. Botev Ihtiman ahead of Germanea Sapareva Banya on head-to-head record; Germanea Sapareva Banya–Botev Ihtiman 1–3, Botev Ihtiman–Germanea Sapareva Banya 1–0.
  6. Vihren Sandanski ahead of Svoboda Peshtera on head-to-head record; Svoboda Peshtera–Vihren Sandanski 1–6, Vihren Sandanski–Svoboda Peshtera 3–1.
  7. Svoboda Peshtera was supposed to be relegated to A RFG Pazardzhik since two clubs from the Southwest region (Bansko and CSKA Sofia II) were relegated from 2016–17 Second League. However, CSKA Sofia II refused to participate in 2017–18 Third League, thus Svoboda Peshtera kept its place in the league.[27]

References
  1. "The New Format and New Name of the Competition" (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. 7 June 2016.
  2. "Балчик се отказа от "Б" група заради липса на финансиране" (in Bulgarian). Varnautre.bg. 14 June 2016.
  3. "БФС призна ЦСКА на Ганчев и го пусна в Първа лига" (in Bulgarian). Dnevnik.bg. 29 June 2016.
  4. "Spartak Varna vs. Dorostol 7–0". Soccerway.com. 8 October 2016.
  5. "Dobrudzha vs. Kubrat 7–0". Soccerway.com. 11 March 2017.
  6. "Botev Novi Pazar vs. Suvorovo 0–5". Soccerway.com. 26 October 2016.
  7. "Dorostol vs. Hitrino 5–2". Soccerway.com. 27 August 2016.
  8. "Lokomotiv Ruse vs. Kubrat 5–2". Soccerway.com. 20 November 2016.
  9. "Решения СТК" (in Bulgarian). bfu-tournaments.com. 19 December 2016.
  10. "Решения СТК - 22.02.2017" (in Bulgarian). bfu-tournaments.com. 22 February 2017.
  11. "ФК ИНТЕР - Добрич се отказва от участие в III лига СИ група (2016/2017)" (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. 10 October 2016.
  12. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  13. "Североизточна Трета лига - Регламент" (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  14. "Североизточна Трета лига - Регламент" (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  15. "Югоизточна Трета лига 2016/17 – Всички голмайстори" (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian-Football.com. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  16. "Uragan Boyadzhik vs. Rakovski 11–1". Soccerway.com. 22 April 2017.
  17. "Lyubimets vs. Zagorets 0–7". Soccerway.com. 20 May 2017.
  18. "Марица прие! Ще играе във Втора лига!" (in Bulgarian). plovdivnews.net. 1 June 2017.
  19. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  20. "Очаквана "оранжева" доминация" (in Bulgarian). Sportal.bg. 11 June 2017.
  21. "Sevlievo vs. Kom Berkovitsa 11–0". Soccerway.com. 12 March 2017.
  22. "Kom Berkovitsa vs. Bdin 0–10". Soccerway.com. 28 May 2017.
  23. "Kariana Erden vs. Yantra Gabrovo 11–3". Soccerway.com. 23 April 2017.
  24. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
  25. "Germaneya vs. Chepinets 11–1". Soccerway.com. 21 August 2016.
  26. "Chepinets vs. Pirin Gotse Delchev 0–8". Soccerway.com. 9 November 2016.
  27. "Официално: Свобода запазва мястото си в Трета лига" (in Bulgarian). pazardjik.marica.bg. 5 June 2017.
  28. "Third League - Season rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 23 August 2016.
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