1944–45 Nationalliga A

Overview

Preamble

In Switzerland during the second world war, sport became an integral part of the "spiritual national defense". This was a political and cultural movement that had already become increasingly important during the late 1930s. Politicians, intellectuals and media professionals had increasingly called for measures to strengthen Switzerland's basic cultural values. Since the Nationalliga games were also considered to be one of the activities that seemed important for maintaining the morale of the population, the military authorities put considerably fewer obstacles in the way of the top players as they had during the previous World War.

ASF/SFV

Therefore, it came about that the Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) expanded themselves. The decision of the extraordinary assembly, held on 9 October 1943 in Lugano, was to double the number of members to 28 clubs for the 1944–45 season and to initiate a new format. The Nationalliga was divided into two strength classes each with 14 teams. The previous Nationalliga became the Nationalliga A (NLA), while the Nationalliga B (NLB) was newly formed. From this moment, the 1. Liga became the third-tier of the Swiss football league system. It was also increased in size, from 25 clubs in two groups, to new three groups with 10 teams each.

Format

The teams in both NLA and in NLB played a double round-robin to decide their table positions. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. The top tier (NLA) was contested by the top 13 teams from the 1943–44 Nationalliga and the newly promoted, 1. Liga champion, AC Bellinzona. The two last placed teams in the league table at the end of the season were to be relegated.

The second-tier, the newly formed NLB, was contested by the relegated team from the NLA, FC Luzern, and the 13 best teams of the 1943–44 Swiss 1. Liga season. The top two teams would be promoted to 1945–46 Nationalliga A and the two last placed teams would be relegated to the 1945–46 Swiss 1. Liga.

Nationalliga A

Teams, locations

Final league table

Results

Topscorers

Nationalliga B

Teams, locations

Final league table

Further in Swiss football

• 1944–45 Swiss Cup
• 1944–45 Swiss 1. Liga

References

Sources

• Switzerland 1944–45 at RSSSF

seasons in Switzerland

References

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