Gamma Ethniki Explained
The Gamma Ethniki (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Γ΄ Εθνική Ερασιτεχνική Κατηγορία, C National Amateur Division) is the third highest football league in Greece.
History
The Gamma Ethniki began in 1965 as an amateur championship, while in 1983 it was changed to professional. Although not literally national (it is divided into North and South groups), Football League 2 is considered as a national division.
On 3 August 2010, it was announced that the division had been renamed Football League 2.[1] From season 2013–14, the football League 2 is merged by fourth division championship (Delta Ethniki) and renamed again Gamma Ethniki.[2] [3] The new third division will be held in six groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria, while it will return in an amateur form.[4] From season 2014–15 until season 2016–17 the league was held in four groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria. The champion of each group was promoted to Super League 2.
From the 2017–18 season until 2022–23 season, the league will be held in eight groups, with the clubs divided by geographical criteria. The first team of each group will be qualified to a play-off tournament, consisted of two groups. The first two teams of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2.[5]
From 2023 onwards, the league will be held in four groups with 18 clubs each. The top team of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2 and bottom six teams will be relegated to Local Championships.
Current groups
71 clubs in 4 groups will compete in the Gamma Ethniki during the 2024–25 season.
| Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA | Group | FCA | |
|---|
- Notes
- FCA = Football Clubs Association
Winners
Third Division champions
From 1965 to 1982
| Season | Winner |
|---|
| 1965–66 | Levadiakos, Ergotelis, Ethnikos Alexandroupoli, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki |
| 1966–67 | Asteras Zografou, AEK Faliro, Thermaikos, Elpida Drama |
| 1967–68 | Argonaftis Piraeus, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki |
| 1968–69 | Anagennisi Arta, Anagennisi Karditsa |
| 1969–70 | Pandramaikos, Apollon Krya Vrysi, A.O. Karditsa, Panaspropyrgiakos, Acharnaikos,
Ergotelis, Panargiakos, Finikas Polichni, Aris Agios Konstantinos |
| 1970–71 | Orestis Orestiada, Naoussa, Orchomenos, P.A.O. Rouf, Orfeas Egaleo, Paniliakos |
| 1971–72 | Anagennisi Epanomi, P.O. Moudania, Thiva, Ilisiakos, Fivos Kremasti, Pannemeatikos |
| 1972–73 | Nestos Chrysoupoli, Niki Polygyros, Achilleas Farsala, Lamia,
Panetolikos, Panarkadikos, Syros, Olympiacos Liosia, Apollon Mytilene |
| 1973–74 | Ethnikos Sidirokastro, A.O. Kozani, Makedonikos,
Dimitra Trikala, A.P.S. Patra, Doxa Vyronas, Moschato, Diagoras |
| 1974–75 | Akrites Sykies, Kampaniakos, Rigas Feraios,
Ethnikos Asteras, Agios Dimitrios, Amfiali, Orfeas Egaleo |
| 1975–76 | Kilkisiakos, Apollon Kalamaria, Ethnikos Sidirokastro,
Anagennisi Arta, Niki Volos, Paniliakos, Kallithea, Irodotos |
| 1976–77 | Makedonikos, Edessaikos, Thyella Serres,
Elassona, Chalkida, A.E. Messolonghi, Agios Dimitrios, Ionikos |
| 1977–78 | Anagennisi Arta, Acharnaikos, Anagennisi Giannitsa, Makedonikos Siatista |
| 1978–79 | Eordaikos, Panegialios, Vyzas Megara, Panthrakikos |
| 1979–80 | Pierikos, Chalkida, Apollon Kalamaria, Diagoras |
| 1980–81 | Toxotis Volos, Achaiki, Atromitos Piraeus, Kozani |
| 1981–82 | Paniliakos, Thiva, Florina, Alexandroupoli,
Ionikos, Aiolikos, Levadiakos, APE Langadas | |
From 1982 to 2013
From 2013 to 2019*
| Season | Winner |
|---|
| 2013–14 | Agrotikos Asteras, AEL, Lamia, Enosi Ermionida, Trachones, AEK Athens |
| 2014–15 | Panserraikos, Trikala, Panelefsiniakos, Kissamikos |
| 2015–16 | |
| 2016–17 | Apollon Kalamaria, Apollon Larissa, Panachaiki, Ergotelis |
| 2017–18 | Apollon Paralimnio, Iraklis, Tilikratis, Volos, Asteras Amaliadas, Ethnikos Piraeus, Aittitos Spata, Irodotos1 |
| 2018–19 | Kavala, Veria, Kronos Argyrades, Olympiacos Volos, Ierapetra, Ialysos, Egaleo, Aspropyrgos | |
- as the 3rd and 4th tier were merged in one league (3rd amateur tier)
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Football League (2nd tier).
Third (amateur) Division champions
From 2019 to 2021
| Season | Winner |
|---|
| 2019–20 | Panserraikos, Almopos Aridea, Pierikos, AEP Karagiannia, Kallithea, Rodos, Asteras Vlachioti, Episkopi[6] |
| 2020–21 | Orfeas Xanthi, Poseidon Nea Michaniona, Anagennisi Karditsa, Diagoras Stefanovikeio, PAS Acheron Kanallaki, Panionios, A.E. Kifisia, Thyella Rafina, Zakynthos, Irodotos1 | |
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
Third Division champions
From 2021 to present
| Season | Winner |
|---|
| 2021–22 | Agrotikos Asteras, Makedonikos, Iraklis Larissa, Panachaiki, Ilioupoli, Proodeftiki, P.A.O. Rouf1 |
| 2022–23 | Aiolikos, Giouchtas, Kampaniakos, Kozani, Tilikratis |
| 2023–24 | Kavala, Ethnikos Neo Keramidi, Panargiakos, Panionios |
|
- 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.
See also
Notes and References
- http://www.epae.org/entry.fds?entryID=1067&pageCode=05.07&tablePageID=47&pageID=46&langid=1 epae.org
- Web site: Συγχώνευση της Γ΄ και Δ΄ Εθνικής. kathimerini.gr. 6 August 2013.
- Web site: ΕΠΟ, Σχέδιο αναδιάρθρωσης του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου. epo.gr. 6 August 2013.
- Web site: Ο χάρτης της νέας Γ' Εθνικής. sport24.gr. 6 August 2013.
- Web site: Γ εθνική:το πλήρες αγωνιστικό πρόγραμμα περιόδου 2017-2018. epo.gr. 12 October 2017.
- News: Γ' Εθνική: Οι πρωταθλητές στους οκτώ ομίλους - Όλα ανοιχτά για άνοδο και υποβιβασμό. www.fosonline.gr . 30 April 2020 . 30 April 2020.
