Danish 2nd Division explained

Danmarksturneringens 2. division
Pixels:180
Country:Denmark
Confed:UEFA
Organiser:Divisionsforeningen
First:1936–37
Divisions:2 (2018–2021)
1 (from 2021)
Teams:28 (2020–2021)
12 (from 2021)
Promotion:1st Division
Relegation:3rd Division
Pyramid:Danish football league system
Levels:3
Domest Cup:Danish Cup (1954–present)
Confed Cup:UEFA Europa Conference League
(via winning Danish Cup)
Champions:Kolding IF (1st title)
Season:2022–23
Tv:Kanal Sport (2014–2016)
Ekstra Bladet PLUS (2019–present)
Current:2024–25 Danish 2nd Division

The 2nd Division (Danish: '''Danmarksturneringens 2. division'''<ref name="spell" group="nb" /> or '''Herre-DM 2. division'''<ref name="spell" group="nb" />) is a professional association football league for men and the third division in Denmark. It is organised by the Divisionsforeningen on behalf of the Danish Football Association (Danish FA; DBU) as part of the nation-wide Danmarksturneringen i fodbold (Herre-DM) and is positioned between the second-tier 1st Division and the fourth-tier Danish 3rd Division in the Danish football league system. Clubs in the league must meet certain criteria concerning appropriate facilities and finances. All of the 2nd Division clubs qualify for the proper rounds of the DBU Pokalen. The number of promoted and relegated clubs has fluctuated over the years. In the 2020–21 season two clubs were directly promoted to the 1st Division, while eight teams were relegated to the Denmark Series. From the 2021–22 season, it was changed to two promotion spots and two relegation spots.

A third-tier league under the auspices of the Danish FA was introduced to the nation-wide league structure in 1936, beginning with two divisions of four clubs each in the 1936–37 season. Due to World War II, the league was placed on hiatus for five years until its reintroduction as a single division with 10 clubs in 1945. In the 1966 season, the league was expanded to include two divisions, coinciding with the dissolution of the Kvalifikationsturneringen and the introduction of the new fourth-tier, Denmark Series (Danmarksserien). It returned to a single division format in the 1975 season, before once again converting to a two division format in 1986, a single division in 1997 and a two division format in 2005. From 1991 to 1997 the league was played as semi-annual seasons, when the higher ranking leagues switched to an autumn-spring calendar match schedule while the lower ranking leagues continued with spring-autumn tournaments — a revisit to the same calendar schedule that had been played until 1956. In 2015–2020, the league consisted of two stages; a preliminary round split into 2–3 groups with clubs qualifying for either a promotion or relegation round.

From 1936–37 and 1939–40, 1966 until 1964 and in the 1986 season, a championship final was played at the end of the season to determine the overall league winners between the west and east groups. The short lived Kvalifikationsligaen in the springs from 1992 to 1995 meant that the league's status as the third-tier in Danish football was dropped one level to temporarily become the fourth best level. In the seasons from 2005–06 to 2010–11, the tournament rules were changed to allow a maximum of eight Superliga reserve teams to compete in the third-tier — the reserve teams were eventually moved to the 2011–12 Danish Reserve League upon its creation. The division has changed its name on several occasions. It has previously been known as III Serie (1936–37 until 1939/40; or 3. Serie), 3. Division (1945/46 until 1990; or 3. division), before settling with the current name beginning with the 1991-season. Due to a sponsorship arrangement, it was known as Kanal Sport Divisionen during the 2015–16 season.

History

Formation of national third-tier

The decision to establish a nation-wide third-tier league as part of the Danmarksturneringen i fodbold below the second-tier II Serie was made at the annual convention of the Danish FA (DBU), in 1936. The league started its operation in August 1936, when III Serie was created with two geographically divided constituencies, each including four teams playing two matches at home and away. Out of the eight teams, only one gained promotion to the second-tier the following season, following the promotion play-offs at the end of the season, which at the same time determined the overall league champions. With the occupation of Denmark during World War II, the Danmarksturneringen's three league structure was disbanded in 1940.

Reintroduction of the third-tier 1945

In 1945, a Danish third level was reintroduced as the bufferzone between the elite teams and the amateur clubs with 10 teams. One team gained promotion to 2nd Division, and one relegated to the club's respective regional football league. In 1951, The 3rd Division was expanded to 12 teams and to teams was relegated to a newly created Kvalifikationsturneringen – the new buffer between the Danmarksturneringen and the regional football leagues. The structure was changed again in 1966. Two geographical groups with 12 teams each were created. Only one team could be promoted and two teams be relegated. The Danish 2nd Division West would for the most part consist of teams from the Jutland FA and Funen FA, while Danish 2nd Division East would consist of teams from the Zealand FA, Copenhagen FA, Lolland-Falster FA and Bornholm FA. In 1975, the number of teams in the league got expanded and the 3rd Division rolled into one row with 16 teams, where two teams could be promoted to the 2nd Division and teams relegated to the Denmark Series.

The Danish top-flight league was renamed in 1991, which included the second-tier being renamed to 1st Division and the third-tier becoming known as the 2nd Division. From 2005, the 2nd Division was changed to have 14 teams each in the East and West pools, with three teams to promote. In addition, access of up to eight reserve teams of the Danish Superliga clubs was allowed in the 2nd Division. The number of teams in the 2nd Division was increased to 16 teams in 2008. In 2010, the reserve teams were removed from the 2nd Division following the foundation of the Danish Reserve League. The 2nd Division did change again in 2015, that reduced the number of teams in the 2nd Division from 32 to 24. 3 pools with each 8 teams was created, where the four top finishers in each pool would be playing for promotion to the 1st Division, with promotion for the two best-placed teams. Also, there would be a relegation pool for the 12 teams that end up as 5–8 in one of their 3 pools, where the 9–12th places relegated to the Denmark Series.

Sponsors and logos

In 2011, it was announced that for the first time, the third-tier would be given its own logo, taking effect at the start of the 2011–12 season. The league changed its official name to Kanal Sport Divisionen for the 2015–16 season, when the naming rights were acquired by the Danish sports TV-channel Kanal Sport.

Former and current logos for the 2nd Division.

Winners of the 2nd Division and predecessors

III Serie West (1936–1940)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1936–37Fredericia BKHorsens FS
1937–38Vejle BKHolstebro BKLaurits Andersen (Vejle BK)13
1938–39Vejle BKHolstebro BKCharles Knudsen (Vejle BK)10
1939–40Vejle BKHolstebro BKCharles Knudsen (Vejle BK)13

III Serie East (1936–1940)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1936–37KFUM KøbenhavnNakskov BKAage Nielsen (KFUM København)10
1937–38Østerbros BKSkovshoved IF
1938–39Nakskov BKSlagelse BK&IF
1939–40Korsør BKSkovshoved IFAdolf Bechmann (Skovshoved IF)13

3rd Division (1945–1965)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1945–46Odense BKOdense KFUMSvend Jørgen Hansen (Odense BK)28
1946–47Brønshøj BKNæstved IFKaj Pettersson (Brønshøj BK)35
1947–48Næstved IFOdense KFUMValdemar Kendzior (Korsør BK)
Esben Donnerborg (Næstved IF)
22
1948–49Skovshoved IFHorsens FSAdolf Bechmann (Skovshoved IF)20
1949–50B 1913Vejen SFOve Dziegel (Nakskov BK)20
1950–51Horsens FSHellerup IKBent Petersen (Horsens FS)17
1951–52Vejle BKOdense KFUMErnst Petersen (AIA)21
1952–53AIAHellerup IKErnst Petersen (AIA)24
1953–54Hellerup IKHelsingør IFHelge Gravesen (Vanløse IF)24
1954–55Vanløse IFBK Fremad AmagerJørgen Larsen (Lendemark BK)25
1955–56Brønshøj BKB 1901Ove Andersen (Brønshøj BK)26
1956–57Ikast FSFrederikshavn fILeo D. Nielsen (Ikast FS)31
1958Randers SK FrejaBK Fremad AmagerOle Madsen (Hellerup IK)
Helge Jørgensen (Odense KFUM)
26
1959BK RødovreBK Frem SakskøbingHarald Nielsen (Frederikshavn fI)19
1960Odense KFUMHellerup IKHelge Jørgensen (Odense KFUM)28
1961Viborg FFHorsens FSFinn Døssing (Viborg FF)23
1962Vanløse IFIkast FSAdser Skov (Vanløse IF)21
1963Hvidovre IFNæstved IFBjarne Jensen (IK Aalborg Chang)23
1964Holbæk B&IFAIAFlemming Jensen (IK Skovbakken)18
1965Vanløse IFRanders SK FrejaBjarne Jensen (IK Aalborg Chang)21

3rd Division West (1966–1974)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1966Silkeborg IFIK Aalborg ChangBjarne Jensen (IK Aalborg Chang)22
1967IK SkovbakkenFrederikshavn fIOle Larsen (IK Skovbakken)
Preben Plougmann (Stoholm IF)
Finn Johansen (Stoholm IF)
17
1968Kolding IFFrederikshavn fINiels Erik KIldemoes (Odense KFUM)25
1969IF FuglebakkenViborg FFKristen Nygaard (IF Fuglebakken)25
1970Silkeborg IFBK Herning Fremad
1971Svendborg fBOdense KFUMHeino Hansen (Kalundborg GF&BK)
Helge Jørgensen (Odense KFUM)
17
1972Aabenraa BKFrederikshavn fIWilly Moshage (Aabenraa BK)23
1973Esbjerg fBIkast FSKristian Østergaard (Esbjerg fB)20
1974Nakskov BKFrederikshavn fIHenning Marxen (Middelfart G&BK)21

3rd Division East (1966–1974)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1966Lyngby BKKFUM KøbenhavnJørgen Jørgensen (Holbæk B&IF)20
1967Slagelse BK&IFTaastrup IKKaj Lykke (Holbæk B&IF)18
1968Holbæk B&IFBK Fremad AmagerJørgen Larsen (Lyngby BK)20
1969BK Fremad AmagerHellerup IKPeter Kristensen (BK Fremad Amager)20
1970Slagelse BK&IF<sup>B.93Jan Højland (B.93)
Lau Jensen (Herfølge BK)
Peter Johansson (Slagelse BK&IF)
16
1971BK Fremad AmagerB.93
1972B.93Helsingør IFBent Andersen (B.93)20
1973Vanløse IFHelsingør IFBjarne Pettersson (Vanløse IF)23
1974Kastrup BKGlostrup ICLars Francker (Lyngby BK)18

3rd Division (1975–1985)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1975Ikast FSHerfølge BKAnders Bjerregaard (Ikast FS)20
1976IK SkovbakkenHelsingør IFKlaus Granlund (Hellerup IK)26
1977Lyngby BKBrøndby IFKlaus Berggreen (Lyngby BK)22
1978Herfølge BKRoskilde B1906Jørgen Petersen (Viborg FF)22
1979Kolding IFHelsingør IFMorten Svart (Brønshøj BK)23
1980Glostrup ICOKSClaus Granlund (Hellerup IK)21
1981BK AvartaBrønshøj BKGunnar Weber (Dragør BK)27
1982Roskilde B1906Svendborg fBHenrik Andersen (Hjørring IF)20
1983B 1913Randers SK FrejaLars Britz (Slagelse BK&IF)24
1984Aalborg BKHorsens FSWarly Jørgensen (Næsby BK)18
1985Greve IFVanløse IFJan Krause (Vanløse IF)27

3rd Division West (1986–1990)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1986Slagelse BK&IFOKS
1987Horsens FSOKSSteen Engby (Horsens FS)
Jacob Harder (OKS)
18
1988B 1909Nørresundby BKJan Knudsen (B 1909)19
1989Svendborg fBGreve IFJan Nielsen (Greve IF)19
1990Horsens FSVarde IF

3rd Division East (1986–1990)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1986Helsingør IFBK Fremad ValbyPeter Rasmussen (B 1901)30
1987BK Fremad AmagerBK AvartaBernd Dietrich (BK Fremad Amager)15
1988BK AvartaHolbæk B&IFPer H. Jensen (Holbæk B&IF)13
1989B.93Ølstykke FCPeter Eriksen (Dragør BK)20
1990IF Skjold BirkerødAkademisk BKPeter Lassen (Køge BK and Hvidovre IF)22

2nd Division West (1991–1997)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1991Nørresundby BKRanders SK FrejaBo Hansen (Holstebro BK)17
1991–92 grundspilHorsens FSEsbjerg fB
1991–92 slutspilSvendborg fBAkademisk BKFlemming Christensen (Akademisk BK)14
1992–93 grundspilØlstykke FCHorsens FSPeter Rasmussen (Nørre Aaby IK)14
1992–93 slutspilHolstebro BKBK Herning FremadPeter Rasmussen (Nørre Aaby IK)12
1993–94 grundspilBK Herning FremadHolstebro BKPer Andersen (Holstebro BK)18
1993–94 slutspilHaderslev FKIK Aalborg ChangKim Michelsen (IF Skjold Birkerød)15
1994–95 grundspilBK Herning FremadSvendborg fBOle Pedersen (Svendborg fB)15
1994–95 slutspilNørre Aaby IKB 1909Peter Rasmussen (Nørre Aaby IK)14
1995–96 fallAarhus FremadNørresundby BKSøren Hermansen (Aarhus Fremad)18
1995–96 springAarhus FremadHaderslev FKSøren Hermansen (Aarhus Fremad)15
1996–97 fallAC HorsensVejen SFMichael Steffensen (Vejen SF)16
1996–97 springIK Aalborg ChangAC HorsensBo Nielsen (IK Aalborg Chang)15

2nd Division East (1991–1997)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1991Hellerup IKBK Fremad AmagerKim Michelsen (IF Skjold Birkerød)13
1991–92 grundspilBK Fremad AmagerHelsingør IF
1991–92 slutspilB.93Ølstykke FCMichael Bo Nielsen (BK Avarta9
1992–93 grundspilB.93Herfølge BKCarsten Hansen (Herfølge BK)14
1992–93 slutspilAkademisk BKHvidovre IFFinn Buchardt (Akademisk BK)17
1993–94 grundspilB.93Hvidovre IFJan Krause (Vanløse IF)12
1993–94 slutspilHellerup IKKøge BKMorten Topp (Hellerup IK)18
1994–95 grundspilEsbjerg fBKøge BKJon Dahl Tomasson (Køge BK)18
1994–95 slutspilBK AvartaHellerup IKThomas Eriksen (Hellerup IK)10
1995–96 fallRoskilde B1906IF Skjold BirkerødThomas Jensen (Roskilde B1906)19
1995–96 springRoskilde B1906IF 32 GlostrupThomas Rasmussen (IF 32 Glostrup)15
1996–97 fallHellerup IKB 1909Peter Rasmussen (B 1909)19
1996–97 springBK FremB 1913Jacob Harder (B 1913)11

2nd Division (1997–2005)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
1997–98B 1909Holstebro BKPeter Rasmussen (B 1909)28
1998–99Randers SK FrejaFC FredericiaSøren Borup (Skive IK)29
1999–2000B 1913Skive IKMichael Steffensen (Vejen SF)23
2000–01Kolding IFFC FredericiaMikkel Lindorff (FC Fredericia)24
2001–02BK SkjoldØlstykke FCAnders Jochumsen (BK Skjold)22
2002–03FC NordjyllandNykøbing Falster AlliancenGlenn Gundersen (FC Nordjylland)26
2003–04Hellerup IKDalum IFKarsten Jensen (Næstved BK)27
2004–05Kolding FCBrabrand IFMorten Nordstrand (Lyngby BK)22

2nd Division West (2005–2015)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
2005–06Esbjerg fB (II)Aarhus FremadThomas Buus Nielsen (Jetsmark IF)20
2006–07Skive IKIkast FS (FCM II)Jesper Kjærulff (FC Fyn)19
2007–08Thisted FCBrabrand IFMartin Hansen (Brabrand IF)
Ronnie Schwartz Nielsen (Aalborg BK II)
15
2008–09FC FynOdense BKJesper Thorsted Rasmussen (FC Svendborg)20
2009–10FC HjørringHobro IKDanilo Arrieta (Hobro IK)28
2010–11Blokhus FCAarhus FremadNikolaj Thomsen (Blokhus FC)25
2011–12FC FynNæsby BKAnders K. Jacobsen (Næsby BK)26
2012–13BK MarienlystAarhus FremadPeter Raask Jensen (Aarhus Fremad)20
2013–14Skive IKHellerup IKAnders Hostrup (Skive IK)24
2014–15Næstved BKBK Marienlyst

2nd Division East (2005–2015)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
2005–06Næstved BKHolbæk B&IFKarsten Jensen (Næstved BK)22
2006–07Lolland-Falster AlliancenBrøndby IF (II)Henrik Lyngsø Graham Olsen (B.93)21
2007–08FC RoskildeBK Fremad AmagerJeppe Kjær (FC Roskilde)20
2008–09FC VestsjællandB.93Thomas Wagner (Stenløse BK)23
2009–10Brønshøj BKB.93Niels Peter Kjølbye (BK Avarta)20
2010–11Nordvest FCElite 3000, HelsingørMorten Seifert (BK Avarta)18
2011–12Hellerup IKHvidovre IFAnders Kaagh (Herlev IF)22
2012–13Hvidovre IFFC HelsingørJonathan Nielsen (FC Helsingør)22
2013–14FC RoskildeNæstved BKEmil Nielsen (FC Roskilde)34
2014–15FC HelsingørBK Frem

2nd Division, Promotion Group (2015–2020)

SeasonWinnersRunners-upTop scorer(s)Ref
NameGoals
2015–16AB GladsaxeBK Fremad Amager
2016–17Thisted FCBrabrand IF
2017–18Hvidovre IFNæstved BK
2018–19Skive IKKolding IF
2019–20FC HelsingørAarhus FremadChristian Nissen (Aarhus Fremad)
Jeppe Kjær (FC Helsingør)
19

2nd Division (since 2021)

External links