Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs

Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs

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prvaliga.si Wikipedia

Wikipedia - Slovenian PrvaLiga

The Slovenian PrvaLiga (Slovene: Prva slovenska nogometna liga, pronounced [ˈpərʋa slɔˈʋeːnska nɔɡɔˈmɛtna ˈliːɡa]), currently named Prva liga Telemach due to sponsorship reasons, also known by the abbreviation 1. SNL, is the top level of the Slovenian football league system. Contested by ten clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Slovenian Second League (2. SNL). Seasons typically run from July to May with each team playing 36 matches.

The competition was founded in 1991, after Slovenia became an independent country. From 1920 until the end of the 1990–91 season, the Slovenian Republic League was a lower division within the Yugoslav league system, although the top Slovenian clubs usually competed in the highest levels of the Yugoslav league system. The league is governed by the Football Association of Slovenia. Celje and Maribor are the only two founding clubs that have never been relegated from the league since its foundation in 1991.

47 clubs have competed since the inception of the PrvaLiga in 1991. Eight of them have won the title: Maribor (16), Gorica (4), Olimpija (4), Olimpija Ljubljana (3), Celje (2), Domžale (2), Koper (1), and Mura (1).

History

PrvaLiga trophy being lifted in celebration of Maribor's ninth league title in May 2011.

The Slovenian First League (1. SNL) was established after Slovenia's independence in 1991 and initially consisted of 21 clubs in the inaugural season. Prior to that, Slovenian teams competed in the Yugoslav football league system. Olimpija, Maribor, and Nafta were the only Slovenian teams to play in the Yugoslav top division between 1945 and the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991. While they were part of the Yugoslav football system, most Slovenian clubs competed for the title of regional champions in the Slovenian Republic League, the third tier of Yugoslav football.

Matjaž Kek won the PrvaLiga title as a footballer and manager.

In 1991, the Football Association of Slovenia separated from the Football Association of Yugoslavia and established its own competitions, where Slovenian clubs competed for the title of Slovenian national champions. As of 2024, Celje and Maribor remain the only two founding clubs that have never been relegated from the league since the inaugural 1991–92 edition. The competition format and the number of clubs in the league have changed over time, ranging from 21 clubs in the first season to 10 clubs in its present form.

Olimpija won the first title. They had a long tradition of playing in the Yugoslav First League and their squad was still composed of players from that era. Olimpija dominated the league and won a further three championships before Gorica won their first in the 1995–96 season. Following Gorica's success, Maribor won their first championship in 1997. This started a record-breaking streak of seven successive league championships which came to an end when Gorica won their second title in the 2003–04 season. The club from Nova Gorica went on to win an additional two titles, becoming the third club to win three consecutive championships. During the 2006–07 season, Domžale won their first title, a feat they repeated the following season. Starting with the 2008–09 season, Maribor became the major force in Slovenian football for the second time, having won 9 out of 16 championships since then, including five consecutive titles from 2011 to 2015.

Maribor is the most successful club; they have won the championship 16 times. Seven of Maribor's titles came during the late 1990s and early 2000s when the club was led alternately by managers Bojan Prašnikar, Ivo Šušak and Matjaž Kek. Darko Milanič has led the club to four championships between 2009 and 2013. Olimpija have won four titles, all in successive years between 1992 and 1995. Tied with four championships is Gorica who won their first title in 1996 and an additional three in successive years between 2004 and 2006. Olimpija Ljubljana have won three titles, followed by Celje and Domžale with two titles each. Koper and Mura have won one title each, in 2010 and 2021, respectively. Maribor have won the most doubles, winning the league and the Slovenian Cup four times in the same season.

Names

Since 1991, the league has been named after sponsors on several occasions, giving it the following names:

Period Sponsor Name
1991–1999 No sponsor 1. SNL
1999–2004 Si.mobil Liga Si.mobil
2004–2006 Si.mobil Vodafone Liga Si.mobil Vodafone
2006–2009 Telekom Slovenije Prva liga Telekom Slovenije
2009–2013 No sponsor Prva liga
2013–2021 Telekom Slovenije Prva liga Telekom Slovenije
2021–present Telemach Prva liga Telemach
**Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs: Tournament Description**

The Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs is the thrilling conclusion to the top tier of Slovenian football, showcasing the best teams in the league as they vie for glory and a coveted spot in European competitions. This highly anticipated tournament features the top teams from the regular season, who compete in a series of knockout matches that promise intense action, skillful play, and unforgettable moments.

Held annually, the Play-Offs typically take place in late spring, following the conclusion of the regular Prva Liga season. The format includes a series of matches that determine the ultimate champion of Slovenian football, as well as the teams that will qualify for prestigious European tournaments such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

Fans can expect to see fierce rivalries reignited, as clubs battle not only for the title but also for pride and bragging rights. The atmosphere in stadiums across Slovenia is electric, with passionate supporters rallying behind their teams, creating a vibrant backdrop for each match.

The Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs not only highlight the talent and determination of the players but also serve as a platform for emerging stars to shine on a national stage. With every match carrying the weight of potential glory, the tournament is a must-watch for football enthusiasts and a celebration of the sport's rich heritage in Slovenia.

Join us for this exciting journey as the best of Slovenian football clash in the Slovenia Prva Liga Play-Offs, where every goal, save, and moment counts in the pursuit of championship glory!