Hungarian Championship. 2nd League. Women
The Hungarian Women's 2nd League Championship (NB II Nöi) is a vital tier in Hungarian women's football, featuring regional teams battling for promotion to the elite division. It fosters emerging talents and bolsters the growth of women's soccer in Hungary, which lags behind men's leagues in visibility but shows steady progress. The season runs from August to May with semi-professional fixtures.
History and foundation
Hungarian women's football emerged late 20th century, with the 2nd League solidifying in the 2010s under MLSZ oversight. Early years faced funding woes, but by the 2020s, it gained footing. Notably, in 2019, Ferencváros II reached the Hungarian Cup final, upsetting top clubs. COVID-19 truncated 2020/21 seasons, yet it rallied the community. The league mirrors Hungary's women's sports surge, highlighted by the national team's Euro 2022 qualification.
Tournament format
The league comprises 10–12 teams in a double round-robin format (home and away), yielding 18–22 matches per side. Top two teams earn promotion to NB I, while bottom clubs face relegation to regional leagues. Ties are broken by goal difference and head-to-head results. No playoffs; focus remains on the regular season grind.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 3.2, favoring defensive setups common in second divisions. All-time top scorer Katarina Kovacs netted 35 goals in 2022/23 for MTK Hungária II. Standouts include Dora Zolt (28 goals in 2021, now in Austria), teenage prodigy Anna Somogyi (12 goals at 15 in 2023/24), and playmaker Flora Banfai (18 assists for Diosgyor), fueling Hungary U-19 prospects.