Question about the Dutch League

[Prodigy]

I have a question about the Dutch Lower League structure.

Below the Eerste Divisie, the leagues are split between those played on Saturday and those played on Sunday. Is there any difference between them other than what day they play on??

For example, can teams that play in the Hoofdklasse on a Saturday OR a Sunday both be promoted to the Eerste Divisie. Below this can teams playing in the 1e.Klasse (Sunday) only be promoted to the Hoofdklasse (Sunday) or can they switch days. How is it decided if a team plays on a Saturday or a Sunday?

I hope that makes sense and if any Dutch fans can answer that or give me more information about the lower league strucutre, I'd be much obliged.

Thanks.

[Drulic]

Ok first of all, the ere (premier) and eerste divisie form a closed league of teams with a pro license, no team from below these divisions can be promoted. Due to the financial problems a lot of eerste divisie teams are having some amateur teams have applied for that license and so far one team has gotten it. (AGOVV)

The Saturday and Sunday leagues are divided into 3 leagues each, the 3 winners of both take each other on for the respective titles of Saturday and Sunday champions and the grand final for the amateur championship is played between these 2 winners at the end of the season.

A Sunday 1e klasse team can only be promoted to the Sunday hoofdklasse (one of the 3 top amateur leagues and vice versa. I play for a 3e klasse amateurteam that traditionally plays on Sundays and if we were to be promoted this season we'd be in the Sunday 2e klasse.

The way it's all been decided varies a great deal, for instance in the Southern parts of Holland there are a lot of catholics who prefer not too play on Sundays. Also it has to do with club tradition, for instance Feyenoord plays it's home games on Sunday's at 14.30 whereas PSV usually plays on a Saturday night. So there's no specific way this is decided.

If you have anymore questions be sure to ask them. ;)

[Prodigy]

Excellent.

Many thanks for that Drulic. Good luck for the rest of the season :)