The Gamma Ethniki (Greek: Γ΄ Εθνική Κατηγορία, C National Division) is the third highest football league in Greece.

Gamma Ethniki
Founded
  • (2013–present as Gamma Ethniki)
  • (1965–1982 as C National Amateur Division)
  • (1982–2010 as Gamma Ethniki)
  • (2010–2013 as Football League 2)
CountryGreece
Number of teams69
Level on pyramid3 (1965–2019 & 2021–present)
4 (2019–2021)
Promotion toSuper League 2
Relegation toHellenic Amateur Divisions
Domestic cup(s)Gamma Ethniki Cup
Top goalscorerGiorgos Kiourkos (154 goals)
Current: 2024–25 Gamma Ethniki

History

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The Gamma Ethniki began in 1965 as an amateur championship, while in 1983 it was changed to professional. Although not literally national (it is divided into North and South groups), Football League 2 is considered as a national division.

On 3 August 2010, it was announced that the division had been renamed Football League 2.[1] From season 2013–14, the football League 2 is merged by fourth division championship (Delta Ethniki) and renamed again Gamma Ethniki.[2][3] The new third division will be held in six groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria, while it will return in an amateur form.[4] From season 2014–15 until season 2016–17 the league was held in four groups, with the clubs divided basis of geographical criteria. The champion of each group was promoted to Super League 2.

From the 2017–18 season until 2022–23 season, the league will be held in eight groups, with the clubs divided by geographical criteria. The first team of each group will be qualified to a play-off tournament, consisted of two groups. The first two teams of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2.[5]

From 2023 onwards, the league will be held in four groups with 18 clubs each. The top team of each group will be promoted to the Super League 2 and bottom six teams will be relegated to Local Championships.

Current groups

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69 clubs in 4 groups will compete in the Gamma Ethniki during the 2024–25 season.

Group FCA Group FCA Group FCA Group FCA Group FCA
Notes
  • FCA = Football Clubs Association

Winners

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Third Division champions

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From 1965 to 1982

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Season Winner
1965–66 Levadiakos, Ergotelis, Ethnikos Alexandroupoli, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki
1966–67 Asteras Zografou, AEK Faliro, Thermaikos, Elpida Drama
1967–68 Argonaftis Piraeus, Megas Alexandros Thessaloniki
1968–69 Anagennisi Arta, Anagennisi Karditsa
1969–70 Pandramaikos, Apollon Krya Vrysi, A.O. Karditsa, Panaspropyrgiakos, Acharnaikos,
Ergotelis, Panargiakos, Finikas Polichni, Aris Agios Konstantinos
1970–71 Orestis Orestiada, Naoussa, Orchomenos, P.A.O. Rouf, Orfeas Egaleo, Paniliakos
1971–72 Anagennisi Epanomi, P.O. Moudania, Thiva, Ilisiakos, Fivos Kremasti, Pannemeatikos
1972–73 Nestos Chrysoupoli, Niki Polygyros, Achilleas Farsala, Lamia,
Panetolikos, Panarkadikos, Syros, Olympiacos Liosia, Apollon Mytilene
1973–74 Ethnikos Sidirokastro, A.O. Kozani, Makedonikos,
Dimitra Trikala, A.P.S. Patra, Doxa Vyronas, Moschato, Diagoras
1974–75 Akrites Sykies, Kampaniakos, Rigas Feraios,
Ethnikos Asteras, Agios Dimitrios, Amfiali, Orfeas Egaleo
1975–76 Kilkisiakos, Apollon Kalamaria, Ethnikos Sidirokastro,
Anagennisi Arta, Niki Volos, Paniliakos, Kallithea, Irodotos
1976–77 Makedonikos, Edessaikos, Thyella Serres,
Elassona, Chalkida, A.E. Messolonghi, Agios Dimitrios, Ionikos
1977–78 Anagennisi Arta, Acharnaikos, Anagennisi Giannitsa, Makedonikos Siatista
1978–79 Eordaikos, Panegialios, Vyzas Megara, Panthrakikos
1979–80 Pierikos, Chalkida, Apollon Kalamaria, Diagoras
1980–81 Toxotis Volos, Achaiki, Atromitos Piraeus, Kozani
1981–82 Paniliakos, Thiva, Florina, Alexandroupoli,
Ionikos, Aiolikos, Levadiakos, APE Langadas

From 1982 to 2013

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Season Winner
South Group North Group
1982–83 Edessaikos
1983–84 Aiolikos Almopos Aridea
1984–85 Panetolikos Kilkisiakos
1985–86 Charavgiakos Skoda Xanthi
1986–87 Chalkida Edessaikos
1987–88 Atromitos Makedonikos
1988–89 Edessaikos
1989–90 Proodeftiki Anagennisi Giannitsa
1990–91 Doxa Vyronas Naoussa
1991–92 Panetolikos Pontioi Veria
1992–93 Kallithea Anagennisi Karditsa
1993–94 Paniliakos Panserraikos
1994–95 Doxa Vyronas Kastoria
1995–96 Panetolikos Niki Volos
1996–97 Ethnikos Asteras Anagennisi Karditsa
1997–98 Ialysos PAS Giannina
1998–99 Egaleo Olympiacos Volos
1999–00 Akratitos
2000–01 Patraikos
2001–02 Kerkyra
2002–03 Poseidon Neon Poron
2003–04 Kastoria
2004–05 Thrasyvoulos Veria
2005–06 Asteras Tripolis Agrotikos Asteras
2006–07 Agios Dimitrios Pierikos
2007–08 Diagoras Kavala
2008–09 Ilioupoli Doxa Drama
2009–10 Kallithea Veria
2010–11 Panachaiki Anagennisi Epanomi
2011–12 Apollon Smyrnis Ethnikos Gazoros
2012–13 Fostiras Apollon Kalamaria

From 2013 to 2019*

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Season Winner
2013–14 Agrotikos Asteras, AEL, Lamia, Enosi Ermionida, Trachones, AEK Athens
2014–15 Panserraikos, Trikala, Panelefsiniakos, Kissamikos
2015–16 Aris, Aiginiakos, Sparta, OFI
2016–17 Apollon Kalamaria, Apollon Larissa, Panachaiki, Ergotelis
2017–18 Apollon Paralimnio, Iraklis, Tilikratis, Volos, Asteras Amaliadas, Ethnikos Piraeus, Aittitos Spata, Irodotos1
2018–19 Kavala, Veria, Kronos Argyrades, Olympiacos Volos, Ierapetra, Ialysos, Egaleo, Aspropyrgos
    • as the 3rd and 4th tier were merged in one league (3rd amateur tier)
  • 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Football League (2nd tier).

Third (amateur) Division champions

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From 2019 to 2021

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Season Winner
2019–20 Panserraikos, Almopos Aridea, Pierikos, AEP Karagiannia, Kallithea, Rodos, Asteras Vlachioti, Episkopi[6]
2020–21 Orfeas Xanthi, Poseidon Nea Michaniona, Anagennisi Karditsa, Diagoras Stefanovikeio, PAS Acheron Kanallaki, Panionios, A.E. Kifisia, Thyella Rafina, Zakynthos, Irodotos1
  • 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.

Third Division champions

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From 2021 to present

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Season Winner
2021–22 Agrotikos Asteras, Makedonikos, Iraklis Larissa, Panachaiki, Ilioupoli, Proodeftiki, P.A.O. Rouf1
2022–23 Aiolikos, Giouchtas, Kampaniakos, Kozani, Tilikratis
2023–24 Kavala, Ethnikos Neo Keramidi, Panargiakos, Panionios
  • 1 In bold the champions which promoted to Super League 2.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ epae.org Archived 2012-03-30 at the Wayback Machine announcement
  2. ^ "Συγχώνευση της Γ΄ και Δ΄ Εθνικής". kathimerini.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  3. ^ "ΕΠΟ, Σχέδιο αναδιάρθρωσης του ελληνικού ποδοσφαίρου" (PDF). epo.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  4. ^ "Ο χάρτης της νέας Γ' Εθνικής". sport24.gr. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Γ εθνική:το πλήρες αγωνιστικό πρόγραμμα περιόδου 2017-2018". epo.gr. Retrieved 12 October 2017.
  6. ^ "Γ' Εθνική: Οι πρωταθλητές στους οκτώ ομίλους - Όλα ανοιχτά για άνοδο και υποβιβασμό". www.fosonline.gr. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
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