Austrian Championship. Second League. Women
The Austrian Women's Second League Championship (ÖFB Frauen 2. Liga) is a cornerstone of women's club football in Austria. It acts as a vital stepping stone for emerging talents and ambitious sides aiming for promotion to the top-tier ÖFB Frauen Bundesliga. Featuring clubs from across Austria's regions, the league fosters grassroots growth in women's soccer. Matches unfold on intimate grounds buzzing with fan energy, where every tackle and goal resonates deeply.
History and foundation
Launched in 2003 amid rising interest in women's football, the league started as Regionalliga before integrating into the ÖFB structure in 2010. A standout season was 2015/16, with USC Landhaus dominating Vienna to clinch the title by 12 points. The 2020 pandemic halted play, but resilience shone through in a swift return. Notably, in 2018, SPG Schrobenhausen became Upper Austria's first champions, highlighting regional parity. Teams like Neulengbach have graduated to the elite, even tasting European competitions.
Tournament format
The format emphasizes competition: 12 teams vie in a single round-robin, with the group winner earning direct promotion to Frauen Bundesliga. Positions 2-4 contest playoffs for another spot, while the bottom two face relegation to the Third League. Running from August to May, it features 22 matchdays with 11 games per team. Relegation/promotion playoffs against Bundesliga bottom-feeders inject extra drama.
Interesting facts
Matches average 3.2 goals, underscoring an open, attacking ethos. Top scorer Maria Burgstaller netted 28 in 2019/20 for Landesliga. Standouts include Laura Feierabend of SPG Desselbrunn with 45 goals over three seasons, and Anna-Kristina Mauerer, now in the top flight. The league has nurtured stars like Maria Hobel, now at USV Taisten. Prolific forwards shine, though defenses are sharpening amid fierce regional rivalries.