2022–23 First Football League (Croatia) Explained

Competition:Prva nogometna liga
Season:2022–23
Dates:13 August 2022 – 3 June 2023
Promoted:Rudeš
Relegated:Hrvatski Dragovoljac, Kustošija
League Topscorer:Ivor Ljubanović (14)
Biggest Home Win:6–0, BSK Bijelo Brdo v Solin
(1 Apr 2023)
Biggest Away Win:0–4, multiple
Highest Scoring:7 goals, multiple
Matches:198
Total Goals:497
Prevseason:2021–22
Nextseason:2023–24
Updated:22 May 2023

The 2022–23 First Football League (also known as Prva nogometna liga and 1. NL) was the 32nd season of the second-level football competition for men's association football teams in Croatia, since its establishment in 1992. The season started on 13 August 2022 and concluded on 3 June 2023.

The league was contested by 12 teams, four less than the previous season, and played in a triple round robin format.[1]

This was the first season that the second level of men's football in Croatia was named First football league (Prva nogometna liga).[2]

Teams

Changes

Varaždin was promoted to the 2022–23 HNL, while Croatia Zmijavci, Osijek II, Sesvete and Opatija were relegated to 2022–23 Druga NL. Dinamo Zagreb II was disbanded.

New clubs were Hrvatski Dragovoljac (relegated after single season in the top flight), relegated from 2021–22 Prva HNL and Vukovar 1991, winner of playoff between winners of five third tier leagues.

Before the start of the season, Inter Zaprešić ended up in bankruptcy and was dissolved. Instead of them, Croatia Zmijavci, originally relegated, was returned to the league.[3]

Stadia and locations

TeamCityStadium[4] Capacity[5]
Stadion BSK 1,200
9,958
Stadion Marijan Šuto Mrma 2,000
2,550
5,200
4,500
Jarun1,500
2,550
3,500
Rudeš2,500
5,200
3,550
RankCounties of CroatiaNumber of teamsClub(s)
1 City of Zagreb5Dubrava, Hrvatski Dragovoljac,
Jarun, Kustošija, Rudeš
2 Split-Dalmatia3Croatia Zmijavci, Dugopolje, Solin
3 Vukovar-Syrmia2Cibalia, Vukovar 1991
4 Osijek-Baranja1BSK Bijelo Brdo
Primorje-Gorski KotarOrijent

League table

Relegation play-offs

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Notes and References

  1. News: Velika nogometna reforma: Pogledajte što nas čeka u sljedeće dvije sezone . 16 June 2021. dalmatinskinogomet.hr. Croatian. 14 June 2022.
  2. Web site: SEZONA 2022/23 Prva HNL dobiva naziv Elitna liga, druga liga postaje Prva liga, jedinstvena treća liga postaje Druga liga . sportcom.hr . 14 June 2022. 10 June 2020.
  3. Web site: 26 July 2022 . Odluka o popunjavanju drugog i trećeg stupnja natjecanja . Decision on filling the second and third stages of the competition . 26 July 2022 . HNS . hr.
  4. Web site: 30 May 2022 . Završen središnji postupak licenciranja za sezonu 2022./23. . The central licensing procedure for the 2022/23 season has been completed. . 1 July 2022 . Hrvatski nogometni savez . hr.
  5. Web site: Venues - First NL . 1 July 2022 . Soccerway . en.