2017–18 Second Professional Football League (Bulgaria)

The 2017–18 Second League was the 63rd season of the Second League, the second tier of the Bulgarian football league system, and the 2nd season under this name and current league structure. The fixture list was released on 22 June 2017.[5]

Second Professional Football League
Season2017–18
Dates22 July 2017–19 May 2018
ChampionsBotev Vratsa
PromotedBotev Vratsa
RelegatedNeftochimic
Sozopol
Maritsa Plovdiv
Oborishte
Matches played240
Goals scored592 (2.47 per match)
Top goalscorerSvetoslav Dikov (25)
Biggest home winBotev Vratsa 5–0 Ludogorets Razgrad II
(28 April 2018)[1]
Biggest away winSozopol 0–5 Montana
(20 October 2017)[2]
Highest scoringStrumska Slava 3–6 Maritsa Plovdiv
(12 August 2017)[3]
Longest winning run7 games by Tsarsko Selo[4]
Longest unbeaten run11 games by Tsarsko Selo[4]
Longest winless run19 games by Neftochimic[4]
Longest losing run12 games by Neftochimic[4]
All statistics correct as of 19 May 2018.

Teams

The following teams have changed division since the 2016–17 season.

a.^ Zagorets, the champions of South-East Third League, declined promotion due to financial and organizational reasons; Maritsa Plovdiv took their place as runners-up.[6]
b.^ CSKA Sofia II officially declined to participate in the South-West Third League and was dissolved.[7]

Stadia and locations
Location of teams in 2017–18 Second League
Team City Stadium Capacity
BotevGalabovoEnergitik3,000
BotevVratsaHristo Botev12,000
ChernomoretsBalchikGradski, Balchik3,100
LitexLovechGradski, Lovech8,100
LokomotivGorna OryahovitsaLokomotiv, Gorna Oryahovitsa10,500
LokomotivSofiaLokomotiv, Sofia22,000
Ludogorets IIRazgradEagles' Nest2,000
MaritsaPlovdivBotev 1912 Football ComplexA3,500
MontanaMontanaKiprovets, ChiprovtsiB1,600
NeftochimicBurgasGradski, BalgarovoC3,000[8]
NesebarNesebarNesebar Stadium7,000
OborishtePanagyurishteOrcho Voyvoda3,000
PomoriePomorieLazur, BurgasD18,037[9]
SozopolSozopolArena Sozopol3,500
Strumska SlavaRadomirGradski, Radomir3,500[10]
Tsarsko SeloSofiaTsarsko Selo2,000

A.^ Maritsa Plovdiv will play at Botev 1912 Football Complex because their Maritsa Stadium is not licensed for Second League.[11]
B.^ Montana will play at Kiprovets Stadium in Chiprovtsi due to ongoing renovation works at their Ogosta Stadium.[12]
C.^ Neftochimic will play at Gradski Stadium in Balgarovo for financial reasons.[13]
D.^ Pomorie will play at Lazur Stadium in Burgas due to renovation works at their Pomorie Stadium.[14]

Personnel and sponsorship

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players and managers may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Kit sponsor
Botev Galabovo Lyudmil Kirov Georgi Kirilov KRASIKO Galabovo Municipality Knauf
Botev Vratsa Sasho Angelov Ivaylo Mihaylov Jumper WinBet
Chernomorets Balchik Georgi Ivanov Genadi Lugo Legea Balchik Municipality
Litex Zhivko Zhelev Ivaylo Radentsov adidas
Lokomotiv Sofia Mladen Dodić Aleksandar Branekov Joma Efbet Malizia
Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa Aleksandar Dimitrov Mariyan Ivanov KRASIKO Efbet Prity, Enel, Go Grill
Ludogorets Razgrad II Radoslav Zdravkov Ventsislav Kerchev Umbro bet365 Vivacom, Spetema
Maritsa Dimcho Belyakov Iliya Nikolov Sportika Hristov Commerce
Montana Ferario Spasov Ivan Mihov Jako Efbet
Neftochimic Diyan Petkov Stanislav Zhekov KRASIKO Masterhaus
Nesebar Nikolay Zhechev Nikolay Kostov Joma Efbet
Oborishte Ivan Atanasov Tsvetomir Tsonkov KRASIKO Asarel Medet
Pomorie Veselin Branimirov Georgi Petkov Erreà[15] Pomorie Municipality, Efbet[15]
Sozopol Margarit Dimov Ivan Yanchev KRASIKO
Strumska Slava Vladimir Dimitrov[16] Nikolay Nikolov Sportika
Tsarsko Selo Velislav Vutsov Simeon Ganchev Nike

Note: Individual clubs may wear jerseys with advertising. However, only one sponsorship is permitted per jersey for official tournaments organised by UEFA in addition to that of the kit manufacturer (exceptions are made for non-profit organisations). Clubs in the domestic league can have more than one sponsorship per jersey which can feature on the front of the shirt, incorporated with the main sponsor or in place of it; or on the back, either below the squad number or on the collar area. Shorts also have space available for advertisement.

Managerial changes
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Position in table Incoming manager Date of appointment
Oborishte Emil Velev End of contract 1 June 2017[17] Pre-season Georgi Chilikov 9 June 2017[18]
Lokomotiv Sofia Yavor Valchinov Mutual consent 2 June 2017[19] Mladen Dodić 9 June 2017[20]
Neftochimic Hristo Yanev Resigned 3 June 2017[21] Nikolay Krastev 23 June 2017[22]
Montana Atanas Atanasov End of contract 11 June 2017[23] Yavor Valchinov 14 June 2017[24]
Botev Galabovo Ivan Vutov Signed by Etar 16 June 2017 Svetoslav Todorov 16 June 2017[25]
Nesebar Nikolay Rusev Appointed as Head of Academy 18 June 2017 Nikolay Zhechev 18 June 2017[26]
Oborishte Georgi Chilikov Signed by Ludogorets Razgrad 14 August 2017 4th Angel Slavkov 14 August 2017[27]
Montana Yavor Valchinov Resigned 27 August 2017[28] 12th Ferario Spasov 28 August 2017[29]
Pomorie Malin Orachev 27 September 2017 14th Veselin Branimirov 27 September 2017[30]
Neftochimic Nikolay Krastev Demoted to assistant 6 October 2017 16th Blagomir Mitrev 6 October 2017[31]
Botev Galabovo Svetoslav Todorov Mutual consent 16 November 2017[32] 12th Lyudmil Kirov 21 November 2017[33]
Oborishte Angel Slavkov 2 December 2017[34] 12th Ivan Atanasov 12 December 2017[35]
Neftochimic Blagomir Mitrev Signed by Vereya 2 January 2018[36] 16th Diyan Petkov 3 January 2018[37]
Tsarsko Selo Nikola Spasov Signed by Kyzylzhar 3 January 2018 2nd Veselin Velikov 3 January 2018[38]
Sozopol Rumen Dimov Resigned 24 April 2018 15h Margarit Dimov 24 April 2018[39]
Maritsa Plovdiv Stoyan Dimitrov 30 April 2018 14th Dimcho Belyakov 30 April 2018[40]
Tsarsko Selo Veselin Velikov Mutual consent 8 May 2018 3rd Velislav Vutsov 8 May 2018[41]

League table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
1 Botev Vratsa (C, P) 30 19 7 4 46 20 +26 64 Promotion to the First League
2 Lokomotiv Sofia 30 19 6 5 51 27 +24 63[lower-alpha 1] Qualification for the promotion play-offs
3 Tsarsko Selo 30 19 6 5 56 28 +28 63[lower-alpha 1]
4 Montana 30 17 5 8 50 20 +30 56
5 Nesebar 30 13 5 12 42 43 −1 44
6 Pomorie 30 10 11 9 36 32 +4 41[lower-alpha 2]
7 Botev Galabovo 30 11 8 11 37 40 −3 41[lower-alpha 2]
8 Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa 30 10 10 10 42 39 +3 40[lower-alpha 3]
9 Ludogorets Razgrad II 30 11 7 12 40 50 −10 40[lower-alpha 3] Ineligible for promotion
10 Litex Lovech 30 10 9 11 26 26 0 39[lower-alpha 4]
11 Chernomorets Balchik 30 10 9 11 37 40 −3 39[lower-alpha 4]
12 Strumska Slava Radomir 30 10 6 14 31 43 −12 36
13 Oborishte (R) 30 9 6 15 26 32 −6 33[lower-alpha 5] Relegation to the Third League
14 Maritsa Plovdiv (R) 30 9 6 15 34 45 −11 33[lower-alpha 5]
15 Sozopol (R) 30 6 6 18 25 47 −22 24
16 Neftochimic (R) 30 2 3 25 15 62 −47 9
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Head-to-head points; 3) Head-to-head goal difference; 4) Head-to-head goals scored; 5) Head-to-head away goals scored (only if two teams); 6) Goal difference; 7) Goals scored; 8) Fairplay ranking; 9) Draw.[42]
(C) Champion; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. Lokomotiv Sofia is ahead of Tsarsko Selo on head-to-head points: Lokomotiv Sofia–Tsarsko Selo 0–0, Tsarsko Selo–Lokomotiv Sofia 1–2.
  2. Pomorie is ahead of Botev Galabovo on head-to-head points: Pomorie–Botev Galabovo 0–0, Botev Galabovo–Pomorie 0–1.
  3. Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa is ahead of Ludogorets Razgrad II on overall goal difference.
  4. Litex Lovech is ahead of Chernomorets Balchik on head-to-head goal difference: Litex Lovech–Chernomorets Balchik 4–0, Chernomorets Balchik–Litex Lovech 1–0.
  5. Oborishte is ahead of Maritsa Plovdiv on head-to-head goal difference: Oborishte–Maritsa Plovdiv 1–2, Maritsa Plovdiv–Oborishte 0–3.

Results
Home \ Away GAL BVR CBA LIT LGO LSO LUD MAR MON NEF NES OBO POM SOZ STR TSS
Botev Galabovo 0–4 3–2 3–0 1–0 2–3 0–0 1–1 0–2 2–1 2–1 1–2 0–1 2–0 1–0 0–0
Botev Vratsa 0–0 3–2 1–0 0–0 2–2 5–0 2–1 2–1 4–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 0–1 1–0 1–0
Chernomorets Balchik 4–1 0–1 1–0 1–1 2–2 3–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 3–2 0–0 1–1 1–1 4–0 1–1
Litex 0–1 0–0 4–0 1–1 0–0 4–1 1–1 0–1 2–0 1–0 1–0 0–2 2–1 2–0 0–1
Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa 3–1 1–3 3–0 1–0 1–0 2–2 1–1 1–1 3–1 3–0 0–0 1–1 3–0 4–3 1–3
Lokomotiv Sofia 1–1 1–0 1–0 4–0 3–0 1–0 4–2 1–0 2–0 4–1 1–0 2–1 3–0 0–1 0–0
Ludogorets Razgrad II 2–1 4–1 2–2 1–1 2–2 2–1 0–2 1–0 2–0 0–2 3–0 2–1 1–0 1–2 3–2
Maritsa Plovdiv 1–2 1–1 0–1 0–1 3–1 1–3 3–3 1–0 1–0 0–0 0–3 1–0 1–0 0–1 1–3
Montana 3–1 0–1 4–0 2–1 1–0 4–0 4–0 2–1 4–0 1–3 2–0 2–1 2–1 1–1 1–0
Neftochimic 0–2 0–2 1–1 1–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 0–2 0–3 0–1 0–2 1–3 0–2 1–0 0–2
Nesebar 1–5 2–0 2–0 0–1 4–2 1–3 3–1 4–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 0–3 0–0 0–0 2–3
Oborishte 2–0 0–2 2–0 0–1 2–1 1–2 0–0 1–2 0–0 3–1 0–1 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–3
Pomorie 0–0 1–1 1–1 1–1 2–1 2–3 0–1 2–1 0–2 1–1 3–1 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–2
Sozopol 2–2 1–2 1–0 1–1 1–3 0–0 1–2 2–0 0–5 3–1 1–2 1–3 1–2 2–1 0–1
Strumska Slava Radomir 2–2 0–2 0–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 2–1 3–6 1–0 1–0 0–1 3–1 1–2 1–0 1–3
Tsarsko Selo 2–0 1–2 2–1 0–0 1–0 1–2 3–2 2–0 1–1 5–1 3–2 2–0 2–0 4–1 3–2
Updated to match(es) played on 19 May 2018. Source: Soccerway
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top scorers
As of match(es) played on 19 May 2018[43]
Rank Player Club Goals
1 Svetoslav Dikov Tsarsko Selo 25
2 Iliya Dimitrov Lokomotiv Sofia 17
3 Ivan Kolev Botev Vratsa[n 1] 15
Vladislav Mirchev Chernomorets Balchik
5 Pavel Petkov Tsarsko Selo 11
Atanas Iliev Montana
7 Nikolay Kostov Nesebar 10
Petar Atanasov Botev Vratsa[n 2]
9 Nikolay Tsvetkov Lokomotiv Sofia 9
Ivan Kokonov Montana
Ventsislav Gyuzelev Maritsa Plovdiv
Deyan Hristov Lokomotiv GO
Kristiyan Peshov Sozopol
14 Spas Georgiev Botev Vratsa 8
Iliyan Kapitanov Oborishte[n 3]
Ahmed Ahmedov Pomorie
Denislav Aleksandrov Ludogorets Razgrad II
Kristiyan Tasev Strumska Slava
Zhivko Petkov Pomorie
20 Ivaylo Stoyanov Strumska Slava 7
Rangel Ignatov Maritsa Plovdiv
Ivan Tsachev Botev Galabovo
Notes
  1. Including 8 goals for Nesebar.
  2. Including 3 goals for Montana.
  3. Including 6 goals for Botev Galabovo.

References
  1. "Botev Vratsa vs. Ludogorets II 5–0". soccerway.com. 28 April 2018.
  2. "Sozopol vs. Montana 0–5". soccerway.com. 20 October 2017.
  3. "Strumska Slava vs. Maritsa Plovdiv 3–6". soccerway.com. 12 August 2017.
  4. "Bulgaria - 2nd league - streaks and sequences". soccerstats.com. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  5. "Изтеглен бе жребият за определяне на програмата на Втора професионална лига за сезон 2017–18" (in Bulgarian). Bulgarian Football Union. 22 June 2017. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 2 July 2017.
  6. "ОФИЦИАЛНО: "Марица" ще приеме поканата за Втора лига!" (in Bulgarian). plovdivderby.com. 1 June 2017.
  7. "ЦСКА II няма да участва в Трета лига" (in Bulgarian). cska.bg. 5 June 2017.
  8. "Стадиони от България" (in Bulgarian). sporta.bg. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  9. "ФИФА даде лиценз на "Лазур" - Gol.bg". gol.bg. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  10. "Промени в Струмска слава за първия домакински мач" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 27 July 2017.
  11. "Ботев и Марица ще си сътрудничат, пет "канарчета" ще играят под наем при маричани" (in Bulgarian). botevplovdiv.bg. 16 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  12. "Монтана заяви да играе мачовете на стадиона в Чипровци" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 16 June 2017.
  13. "Нефтохимик изпълни препоръките на Лицензионната комисия, приема Лудогорец 2 в Българово" (in Bulgarian). kotasport.com. 27 July 2017.
  14. "ОФК Поморие се мести в Бургас" (in Bulgarian). kotasport.com. 10 June 2017.
  15. "ОФК Поморие с нова екипировка" (in Bulgarian). ofc.pomorie.bg. 9 August 2017.
  16. "Владимир Димитров ще води Струмска слава и във Втора лига" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 31 May 2017.
  17. "Емил Велев вече не е треньор на Оборище" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 1 June 2017.
  18. "Чиликов начело на Панагюрище, Телкийски му помага" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 9 June 2017.
  19. "Бойчо Величков: Локо Сф се раздели с Вълчинов с благодарности" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 2 June 2017.
  20. "Локо (Сф) подписа със сръбския наставник" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 9 June 2017.
  21. "Николай Тодоров: Янев имаше целия ресурс да спаси отбора" (in Bulgarian). neftochimic.com. 3 June 2017.
  22. ""Нефтохимик" стартира във Втора лига" (in Bulgarian). neftochimic.com. 23 June 2017.
  23. "Монтана остана без треньор" (in Bulgarian). blitz.bg. 11 June 2017.
  24. "Явор Вълчинов е новият треньор на Монтана" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 14 June 2017.
  25. "Светльо Тодоров пое Ботев (Гълъбово)" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 16 June 2017.
  26. "Джангъра сдаде властта в Несебър" (in Bulgarian). kotasport.com. 18 June 2017.
  27. "Оборище намери заместник на Чиликов" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 14 August 2017.
  28. "Монтана остана без треньор" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 27 August 2017.
  29. "Монтана и Феро пак се събраха" (in Bulgarian). gong.bg. 28 August 2017.
  30. "ОФК "Поморие" с нов треньор" (in Bulgarian). ofc.pomorie.bg. 27 September 2017.
  31. "Благомир Митрев се завръща в Нефтохимик" (in Bulgarian). neftochimic.com. 6 October 2017.
  32. "Светослав Тодоров вече не е треньор на Ботев" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 16 November 2017.
  33. "Людмил Киров ще изведе Ботев (Гълъбово) за първа тренировка" (in Bulgarian). sportal.bg. 21 November 2017.
  34. "Сагата приключи, Славков напуска Панагюрище" (in Bulgarian). pazardzjik.marica.bg. 22 January 2018.
  35. "Иван Атанасов е новият старши треньор на ФК Оборище" (in Bulgarian). oborishte.bg. 12 December 2017.
  36. "Благомир Митрев се раздели с Нефтохимик" (in Bulgarian). neftochimic.com. 2 January 2018.
  37. "Диян Петков поема Нефтохимик" (in Bulgarian). neftochimic.com. 3 January 2018.
  38. "Веселин Великов треньор на "Царско село"" (in Bulgarian). bnr.bg. 3 January 2018.
  39. "Треньорска рокада в Созопол, Румен Димов вече не е наставник на "небесносините"" (in Bulgarian). topsport.bg. 24 April 2018.
  40. "Димчо Беляков е новият старши треньор на Марица" (in Bulgarian). plovdivlive.com. 30 April 2018.
  41. "Вили Вуцов поема Царско село" (in Bulgarian). btvnovinite.bg. 8 May 2018.
  42. "Second League - Season Rules". Scoresway. Retrieved 4 June 2017.
  43. "Втора лига 2017/18" [Second League 2017/18] (in Bulgarian). bulgarian-football.com. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
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