1931–32 Nationalliga

Overview

Preamble

The Swiss Football Association (ASF/SFV) were modifying the formats in the football league system. Last season the top-tier (called Serie A) had 33 Clubs, which had been divided into three regional groups. From here onwards, the top-tier was now named Nationalliga and the number of clubs had been reduced. This season the top-tier had only 18 teams which were divided into two groups and in the following season would be reduced to 16 clubs, also in two groups. From the 1931–32 Nationalliga season the Nationalliga would be contested in one national division with 16 clubs.

This season a new second division was created, 1931–32 Swiss 1. Liga, with 18 teams divided into two regional groups. The former second-tier which had been 54 teams in 6 regional groups, now became the third-tier. The season was played from 30 August 1931 to 1 May 1932, with a few rescheduled games being played later in May. The championship play-off rounds took place from 29 May to 26 June 1932.

Format

The 18 teams were divided into two groups and within the each group the teams played a double round-robin to decide their league table positions. Two points were awarded for a win and one point was awarded for a draw. Four teams qualified for the championship play-offs. The first placed team in each group at the end of the qualification stage were qualified directly for the play-offs. The two second placed teams competed a decider for the third qualification slot. The fourth contender of the final group was the curiosity here, because the second-tier champions were also qualified for this championship group. The play-off was contested as a single round robin. The winners of the play-offs were awarded the Swiss championship title.

The last two placed teams in each qualification group were relegated to the 1932–33 Swiss 1. Liga. Only the two group winners in the second-tier, 1. Liga, would both achieve promotion this season, thus reducing the top-tier to 16 teams for the 1932–33 season.

Nationalliga

Group 2

The eighth position in the table was the second relegation slot. Because Servette and Étoile-Sporting ended the qualification stage level on points in joint seventh/eighth position a decider against relegation was required. This match was played on 29 May 1932 at the Stade de la Maladière in Neuchâtel.

Servette won and were in seventh position, therefore they remained in the division for the next season. Étoile-Sporting were in eighth position and were relegated to 1933–34 1. Liga.

Championship play-offs

The two second placed teams Urania Genève Sport and Biel-Bienne contested a play-off to decide who would qualify for the final round. The match took place at the Pontaise in Lausanne on 29 May 1932.

Urania Genève Sport' won and continued to the final round, Biel-Bienne's season was finished.

Because Lausanne-Sports and Zürich ended the play-off group level on points in joint first position a decider for the championship was required. This final was played at the Stadion Neufeld in Bern on 3 July 1932.

Because Lausanne-Sports won the play-off final, the curiosity of the season had occurred, the winners of the very first 1. Liga season also became Swiss champions. This was the first and only time that a team from the second-tier won the championship title. This was the clubs second championship title to this date.

Further in Swiss football

1931–32 Swiss Cup

1931–32 Swiss 1. Liga