League is no more "open" in Belarus

27 Jun 2013 | Davide Tuniz

With almost all clubs with financial problems the new season will begin without foreign teams in Extraliga. Energija Elektrenai and Kremenchuk will play in Second division

While almost all Belarusian clubs are experiencing financial difficulties, Belarus Federation Executive Committee decided next season the structure of the Extraliga won´t change, with teams split in two sub-groups and post season playoffs. After the exit of Latvian Metalurgs Liepaja, the league will loose the name "open": the interest showed in last months by two Ukranian clubs - Berkut and Companion Kyiv - to join the League didn´t materialize. The Federation decided also to postpone the deadline for confirmation of financial guarantees for clubs participating in the championship. As well as the declaration of absence of debts to the players over the last year. The deadline was moved to July 15, in connection with the difficult situation of the clubs.

The Second League, where competing all the farm clubs, will see two news from abroad: Lithuanian Energija Elektrenai and Ukranian Kremenchuk will play in next season without age limits

Finally the Belarus Cup (Ruslan Salei Cup) will be played as usual in August before the start of the season. Twelve teams will take part, split in two Groups, beside the Extraliga teams, also Yunost Minsk MHL team and Belarus U20 National team will compete. The final will be played in Minsk.