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EPFA

Polish American Football League
Polish American Football League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2011 PLFA season
SportAmerican football
FoundedOctober 2006
FounderPZFA
First season2006 season
CEOJędrzej Stęszewski
No. of teams6 (Ekstraklasa PLFA)
8 (PLFA I)
13 (PLFA II)
Country Poland
Most recent
champion(s)
The Crew Wrocław
Most titlesWarsaw Eagles, The Crew Wrocław (2 titles)
Official websiteplfa.pl

The Polish American Football League or shortly PLFA (Polish: Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego) is a structured system for the american football competitions in Poland founded in 2006 by the Polish federation, PZFA. Since 2012 season, PLFA is divided into three leagues (Ekstraklasa, PLFA I and PLFA II). Between PLFA I and PLFA II there is promotion and relegation.

The most prestigious league is Ekstraklasa; the top four teams from the Ekstraklasa regular season enter the playoffs and the winners meet in the championship game called PLFA SuperFinal (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl).

The PLFA Cup game determining the champion of the PLFA I league.

In the 2012 season there were 27 teams from 21 cities (6 teams in the Ekstraklasa, 8 teams in the PLFA I and 13 teams in the PLFA II). PLFA I and PLFA II is divided into two divisions, for the geographical reason (North and South each).

Since 2011 there is a eight-man football league, called PLFA 8 for the new clubs and reserve team of the top clubs.

History

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American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland. American football, as a sport that is actually played, appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was set in Warsaw. The Polish American Football Association (Polish: Polski Związek Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly PZFA) was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding, was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland.

The first game between Polish teams (still without professional equipment) was played in December 2005 in Poznań. The historic game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in a game played in Warsaw. From that moment on teams began to develop in different parts of the country.

Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008 the league split into two divisions - PLFA I (8 teams) and PLFA II (9 teams). There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for the 2010 season.

Season structure

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Regular season in the PLFA I (One) is started in March/April and ended in June/July. Each team plays nine games against each team once (4 or 5 home games and 5 or 4 away games). A team is awarded 2-points for a win, 1-point for a tie, and 0-points for a loss (tie only if the overtime can not be played). After a regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs (1st place against 4th place and 2nd against 3rd) and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called PLFA I Final (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl); there is no 3rd place game.

PLFA II is divided into two divisions, for the geographical reason (in 2011 season for North and South). The teams played five games against each team once and one bonus game with another division rival. After a regular season, top three teams in each division qualifies for the play-offs (2nd and 3rd placed team playing wildcard game; division winners and a wildcard winners played PLFA II Semi-Final games; and the winners meet in the PLFA II Final.

After the season, the PLFA II Champion is promoted to the PLFA I (last place PLFA I team is relegated to the PLFA II). PLFA I 9th place team and the PLFA II Runner-up play a promotion/relegation playoff game.

Game rules

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Playing rules are based of those of the NCAA College football with minor modifications, e.g.:

League

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Ekstraklasa

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PLFA I

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PLFA II

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Eight-man football

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PLFA 8

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Junior/Youth competitions

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Champions

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Season Ekstraklasa PLFA I PLFA II PLFA 8
2006 Warsaw Eagles
2007 The Crew Wrocław
2008 Warsaw Eagles Lowlanders Białystok
2009 Silesia Miners Zagłębie Steelers
2010 Devils Wrocław Bielawa Owls
2011 The Crew Wrocław Warsaw Spartans Warsaw BEagles
2012 July 15 August 4 October 6 TBA

Teams

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Current

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Black pog.svg

League Team City Joined
  Ekstraklasa Devils Wrocław Wrocław 2007
Warsaw Eagles Warsaw 2006
Seahawks Gdynia Gdynia 2006
Kraków Tigers Kraków 2007
Kozły Poznań Poznań 2007
Silesia Rebels Katowice 2007
  PLFA N Lowlanders Białystok Białystok 2008
Warsaw Spartans Warsaw 2008
Mustangs Płock Płock 2008
Husaria Szczecin Szczecin 2007
S Bielawa Owls Bielawa 2008
Zagłębie Steelers Będzin 2008
Gliwice Lions Gliwice 2009
Kraków Knights Kraków 2008
  PLFA II N Warsaw Werewolves Warsaw 2011
Olsztyn Lakers Olsztyn 2012
Cougars Szczecin Szczecin 2012
Królewscy Warszawa Warsaw 2012
Sabercats Sopot Sopot 2012
Toruń Angels Toruń 2012
S Tychy Falcons Tychy 2011
Saints Częstochowa Częstochowa 2011
Tytani Lublin Lublin 2012
Ravens Rzeszów Rzeszów 2012
Diabły Wrocław Wrocław 2012
Rybnik Thunders Rybnik 2012
Silvers Olkusz Olkusz 2012
  out The Crew Wrocław Wrocław 2006-11

Former

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Team City Years active
Czerwone Byki Poznań Poznań 2008-10
Fireballs Wielkopolska Poznań 2006-11
Griffons Słupsk Słupsk 2009
Radom Rocks Radom 2009-11
Scyzory Kielce Kielce 2009-10
Torpedy Łódź Łódź 2008-11
Warriors Ruda Śląska Ruda Śląska 2009-11

See also

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References

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