2023–24 Belgian Division 2

Belgian Division 2
Season2023–24
Dates26 August 2023 – 12 May 2024
ChampionsAalst (VV A), Belisia (VV B), Mons (ACFF)
PromotedNinove, Merelbeke, Jong Cercle, Belisia, Hasselt, Lyra-Lierse, Mons, Rochefort, Tubize-Braine, Tournai, Binche, Stockay, Union SG B
RelegatedAalst, Mandel United, Wetteren, Overijse, Londerzeel, City Pirates, Warnant, Hamoir, Rebecq

The 2023–24 Belgian Division 2 was the eighth season of the division in its current format, placed at the fourth-tier of football in Belgium.

Team changes

In

Out

Merger

Belgian Division 2 VV A

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Locations of the 2023–24 Belgian Division 2 VV A teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Aalst[a] (C, R) 34 19 7 8 60 35 +25 64 Relegation to the Belgian Provincial Leagues
2 Ninove (P) 34 17 7 10 57 48 +9 58 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VV
3 Dikkelvenne[b] 34 15 11 8 67 48 +19 56
4 Merelbeke (O, P) 34 16 6 12 68 43 +25 54 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VV
5 Jong Cercle (O, P) 34 16 5 13 64 51 +13 53
6 Voorde-Appelterre 34 15 8 11 54 56 −2 53
7 Oudenaarde 34 13 11 10 45 39 +6 50
8 Oostkamp 34 14 7 13 58 68 −10 49
9 Jong Essevee 34 14 6 14 53 44 +9 48 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VV
10 Gullegem 34 14 5 15 57 64 −7 47
11 Torhout 34 13 8 13 47 61 −14 47
12 Racing Gent 34 13 6 15 54 53 +1 45
13 Zelzate 34 12 6 16 63 60 +3 42
14 Olsa Brakel 34 11 6 17 38 47 −9 39
15 Harelbeke 34 9 12 13 47 56 −9 39
16 Petegem[c] 34 10 8 16 54 63 −9 38
17 Mandel United (R) 34 10 7 17 27 46 −19 37 Relegation to the 2024–25 Belgian Division 3
18 Wetteren (R) 34 8 8 18 49 80 −31 32
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[4]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ As champions, Eendracht Aalst would have earned promotion but on 23 May 2024 (after completion of the season and playoffs) the club was refused a license for the Belgian National Division 1. As a result, second-placed Ninove (who had been eliminated in the playoffs) were promoted instead. [2] A few days later on 27 May 2024, the club was also refused a license for the Belgian Division 2 and Belgian Division 3 and hence will be relegated to the Belgian Provincial Leagues.[3]
  2. ^ Dikkelvenne, Voorde-Appelterre, Oudenaarde, and Oostkamp all would have qualified for the Promotion play-offs VV yet were skipped by the next eligible team due to the fact they had chosen not to apply for a national football license.
  3. ^ Due to the fact that Aalst was refused a license, Petegem was ultimately spared of relegation.[3]

Results

Home \ Away AAL DIK NIN MER CER VOO ESS OUD OOS GEN GUL TOR ZEL BRA MAN HAR PET WET
Aalst — 0–3 3–0 1–0 2–3 1–2 1–0 2–0 4–1 0–0 1–3 3–1 1–0 1–1 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–0
Dikkelvenne 1–1 — 1–1 0–5 3–0 6–2 2–0 0–0 1–2 4–2 2–0 1–3 1–1 2–0 2–0 2–2 3–1 5–2
Ninove 2–0 1–2 — 3–2 0–2 3–0 1–0 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 0–0 2–1 1–0 4–1 2–1 4–5 3–0
Merelbeke 0–2 2–0 3–1 — 0–0 2–3 0–2 1–1 1–2 1–4 4–0 4–1 3–0 2–0 1–1 4–0 5–2 1–3
Jong Cercle 0–1 1–1 2–3 0–3 — 2–3 3–0 3–0 5–1 2–2 4–2 8–1 1–4 2–1 1–4 2–1 0–2 4–2
Voorde-Appelterre 0–1 1–2 3–0 1–1 3–2 — 2–1 0–0 5–1 1–0 0–2 1–1 3–1 0–1 2–1 3–1 1–4 2–2
Jong Essevee 0–0 2–2 3–1 0–1 1–1 4–0 — 3–5 0–0 1–1 0–2 3–0 1–0 2–1 0–0 1–2 4–1 2–1
Oudenaarde 0–1 1–1 2–0 1–4 3–0 1–3 3–0 — 1–1 2–0 3–2 1–0 3–0 0–0 1–1 0–2 1–0 5–1
Oostkamp 0–4 2–1 1–1 2–2 1–2 2–2 1–5 2–0 — 1–3 2–1 1–2 2–1 2–1 1–1 3–1 3–1 2–3
Racing Gent 2–3 3–2 1–0 1–1 1–2 0–1 3–0 3–1 2–3 — 3–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 1–0 7–2 1–0 2–3
Gullegem 1–3 2–2 1–2 4–3 0–2 2–2 1–5 1–0 2–1 3–1 — 1–3 2–0 2–3 1–2 2–1 2–0 4–4
Torhout 3–2 1–0 3–4 2–1 2–1 4–1 0–3 0–0 2–3 2–1 0–1 — 0–6 1–1 2–1 3–1 0–0 4–1
Zelzate 1–3 4–7 1–3 1–2 1–0 1–1 3–2 1–3 4–3 1–2 1–2 1–1 — 4–0 1–2 2–2 3–1 6–0
Olsa Brakel 2–3 3–2 3–1 0–3 2–0 0–3 1–2 1–1 0–2 3–0 3–0 2–0 2–4 — 1–0 0–0 3–1 0–1
Mandel United 0–2 0–0 0–1 1–0 0–4 1–0 0–2 1–2 0–2 0–3 1–1 1–1 0–2 1–0 — 0–2 2–0 1–0
Harelbeke 1–0 1–1 1–1 2–0 0–3 4–0 2–1 2–2 2–2 2–1 2–3 2–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 — 2–2 0–1
Petegem 1–6 2–3 2–2 0–1 1–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 3–2 4–0 2–1 1–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–1 — 3–3
Wetteren 3–3 0–2 1–2 2–5 0–0 1–2 1–2 0–1 1–3 1–1 1–4 4–1 2–3 1–0 2–1 2–2 0–4 —
Source: vbal4 (in Dutch)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Period Champions

  • 1st Period: Aalst (20 Points (out of 30))
  • 2nd Period: Oostkamp (25 Points (out of 36))
  • 3rd Period: Aalst (24 Points (out of 36))

Belgian Division 2 VV B

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Locations of the 2023–24 Belgian Division 2 VV B teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Belisia (C, P) 34 21 8 5 71 37 +34 71 Promotion to the 2024–25 Belgian National Division 1
2 Hasselt (O, P) 34 21 4 9 67 37 +30 67 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VV
3 Lyra-Lierse Berlaar (O, P) 34 18 6 10 61 47 +14 60
4 Rupel Boom 34 18 6 10 62 58 +4 60
5 Racing Mechelen 34 16 7 11 61 46 +15 55
6 Houtvenne 34 15 10 9 48 43 +5 55
7 Bocholt 34 16 6 12 59 46 +13 54
8 Tongeren 34 14 6 14 50 48 +2 48
9 Lebbeke 34 13 8 13 49 53 −4 47
10 Jong KV Mechelen 34 13 7 14 57 49 +8 46 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs VV
11 Berchem 34 12 10 12 44 43 +1 46
12 Diegem 34 13 6 15 62 63 −1 45
13 Wezel 34 12 7 15 59 67 −8 43
14 Hades 34 12 6 16 54 60 −6 42
15 Lille 34 11 7 16 48 60 −12 40
16 Overijse (R) 34 7 7 20 33 59 −26 28 Relegation to the 2024–25 Belgian Division 3
17 City Pirates (R) 34 7 4 23 41 86 −45 25
18 Londerzeel (R) 34 6 7 21 34 58 −24 25
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[5]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated

Results

Home \ Away BEL HAS LLB RUP RCM HOU BOC TON LEB KVM BER DIE WEZ HAD LIL OVE C-P LON
Belisia — 1–1 1–1 2–0 4–2 2–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 1–0 2–1 2–1 3–2 4–1 1–1 3–0 4–0 2–1
Hasselt 2–1 — 2–0 4–1 3–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 5–0 1–1 2–0 0–2 4–1 3–1 0–2 3–0 3–1 0–3
Lyra-Lierse Berlaar 0–2 3–0 — 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–1 2–4 2–0 2–0 2–1 5–0 1–1 2–1 4–2 2–2 2–1 1–1
Rupel Boom 1–5 3–2 2–5 — 0–0 2–2 1–0 3–1 3–1 4–1 2–1 1–1 2–2 4–3 2–1 2–1 3–2 2–1
Racing Mechelen 1–1 0–1 4–1 0–2 — 3–1 3–0 1–1 0–1 2–5 3–0 1–0 3–0 2–4 1–0 1–0 2–3 1–0
Houtvenne 0–0 2–4 0–0 1–2 0–3 — 2–2 1–2 1–1 1–0 1–1 4–1 1–0 2–0 0–0 3–2 3–0 0–0
Bocholt 1–2 2–1 2–4 0–5 1–1 1–1 — 3–2 4–1 0–1 0–1 2–2 4–2 2–0 2–2 3–0 4–1 2–0
Tongeren 0–2 3–2 0–2 1–2 2–0 1–2 0–3 — 1–1 3–1 0–0 3–0 3–1 2–3 3–0 3–0 2–0 1–0
Lebbeke 2–2 1–3 1–2 2–1 1–2 5–1 2–0 0–0 — 1–1 0–0 2–1 3–2 2–2 2–1 3–0 2–2 3–2
Jong KV Mechelen 4–1 0–1 5–0 1–2 0–0 1–2 4–4 4–0 1–0 — 0–2 3–0 0–0 1–2 1–2 6–4 4–2 3–0
Berchem 1–1 1–1 0–1 3–0 1–1 2–3 0–3 2–0 2–0 1–3 — 1–1 2–2 3–2 1–1 2–0 4–0 1–0
Diegem 3–4 1–0 3–2 2–2 3–1 1–2 1–2 1–2 5–1 4–1 2–2 — 1–2 3–2 2–3 2–0 3–0 2–4
Wezel 3–0 2–3 4–1 1–0 2–5 2–1 1–3 1–5 0–2 2–0 4–1 0–1 — 1–0 3–1 2–2 4–3 2–0
Hades 2–1 2–1 2–2 3–1 1–4 1–3 0–1 1–1 2–3 0–0 1–2 3–3 3–2 — 3–1 0–0 2–1 0–1
Lille 2–0 1–2 1–0 4–3 1–3 0–3 0–1 1–0 0–3 2–2 0–2 2–0 5–3 2–1 — 1–1 1–2 3–2
Overijse 0–4 0–1 0–3 1–2 1–2 2–0 0–2 5–0 2–1 0–1 2–0 0–2 1–1 0–2 2–1 — 2–0 0–0
City Pirates 3–3 0–6 2–0 0–1 1–5 0–1 1–0 0–4 1–2 2–0 2–1 2–3 2–2 0–2 3–3 1–3 — 2–1
Londerzeel 0–4 1–3 0–2 1–1 3–3 1–2 0–3 0–0 1–0 1–2 1–2 2–5 1–2 0–2 2–1 0–0 4–1 —
Source: vbal4 (in Dutch)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Period Champions

Belgian Division 2 ACFF

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Locations of the 2023–24 Belgian Division 2 ACFF teams

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Mons (C, P) 34 27 4 3 76 23 +53 85 Promotion to the 2024–25 Belgian National Division 1
2 Rochefort (P) 34 20 6 8 64 40 +24 66 Qualification for the Promotion play-offs ACFF
3 Tubize-Braine (O, P) 34 19 9 6 64 35 +29 66
4 Tournai (P) 34 17 12 5 59 33 +26 63
5 Binche (P) 34 15 9 10 52 44 +8 54
6 Meux 34 12 14 8 51 45 +6 50
7 Warnant (R) 34 14 7 13 45 42 +3 49 Restarting at bottom of football pyramid
8 Stockay[a] (P) 34 13 8 13 59 50 +9 47
9 La Calamine 34 12 9 13 53 54 −1 45
10 La Louvière Centre 34 13 5 16 48 47 +1 44
11 Union SG B[a] (P) 34 13 4 17 55 56 −1 43
12 Verviers 34 11 8 15 56 64 −8 41
13 Verlaine 34 11 7 16 50 59 −9 40
14 Ganshoren 34 10 9 15 44 57 −13 39
15 Jette 34 9 8 17 33 63 −30 35
16 Acren-Lessines 34 8 9 17 56 75 −19 33
17 Hamoir (R) 34 6 5 23 30 71 −41 23 Relegation to the 2024–25 Belgian Division 3
18 Rebecq (R) 34 3 13 18 43 80 −37 22
Source: vbal4
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Matches won; 3) Goal difference; 4) Goals scored; 5) Away matches won; 6) Goal difference in away matches; 7) Away goals scored.[6]
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b After conclusion of the play-offs, Stockay and Union SG B were also promoted. Stockay as highest-placed finisher with a license not already promoted, Union SG B as highest eligible U23 team.

Results

Home \ Away MON ROC TUB TOU WRN BIN LAL S-W MEU LAC USG VER VEV GAN JET A-L HAM REB
Mons — 1–0 2–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 2–0 2–0 1–1 2–1 2–0 5–0 3–1 4–1 3–0 5–2 3–1 2–2
Rochefort 0–2 — 2–3 1–1 1–0 1–2 2–0 2–0 1–1 5–4 2–1 1–0 3–3 2–1 5–1 2–3 3–0 2–0
Tubize-Braine 0–1 0–1 — 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 2–2 0–1 2–1 2–0 3–0 4–1 2–2 2–0 1–0 4–1 2–1
Tournai 1–1 0–1 1–1 — 2–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–0 1–0 0–2 2–0 1–0 4–3 6–0 1–0 3–2 3–0
Warnant 0–2 1–0 1–0 1–2 — 3–2 0–2 1–0 3–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 5–0 4–0 3–0 3–1 2–2
Binche 0–3 1–3 1–1 2–1 2–2 — 2–0 2–2 3–4 0–0 3–2 3–2 4–1 1–0 0–0 0–2 0–0 0–0
La Louvière Centre 0–3 1–2 2–2 1–1 0–1 1–4 — 3–1 2–3 1–0 1–2 4–1 0–0 1–0 3–0 2–0 3–0 3–1
Stockay 1–5 2–2 2–2 2–2 2–0 1–2 1–0 — 0–0 3–2 3–0 1–1 0–1 3–1 2–0 5–1 4–0 3–1
Meux 2–1 1–4 1–1 2–2 5–0 0–0 0–4 1–1 — 2–1 2–3 1–1 3–1 1–0 2–3 1–1 5–0 3–1
La Calamine 1–3 2–1 0–2 1–1 2–1 2–0 2–1 1–2 0–0 — 0–0 1–0 1–4 2–0 1–1 5–0 2–1 3–1
Union SG B 1–3 3–4 1–3 0–2 4–0 0–2 3–1 1–4 0–0 4–0 — 0–1 4–5 0–2 1–3 1–2 4–0 5–0
Verlaine 3–1 2–1 1–3 3–1 0–2 1–2 0–1 4–2 1–2 2–2 6–0 — 1–3 2–2 5–3 3–1 0–2 2–2
Verviers 0–2 2–2 2–5 2–2 1–3 1–2 3–1 2–1 3–1 0–1 0–0 0–1 — 3–1 1–0 4–1 2–4 1–3
Ganshoren 0–3 0–3 1–0 2–0 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–0 2–2 4–1 1–2 3–0 1–1 — 2–1 3–2 1–1 2–2
Jette 0–1 0–1 1–4 0–0 0–0 0–1 2–1 1–0 0–0 2–3 1–5 1–0 1–0 2–1 — 3–2 1–0 2–2
Acren-Lessines 1–2 1–1 2–3 3–3 3–1 1–3 1–1 4–0 1–1 3–3 1–2 1–2 3–3 2–1 0–0 — 3–1 6–5
Hamoir 0–1 0–1 1–2 0–2 0–1 2–0 2–3 0–3 1–0 0–3 0–3 2–2 2–3 0–3 2–2 2–1 — 0–0
Rebecq 1–1 1–2 1–1 0–0 2–1 1–6 1–3 0–5 1–3 4–4 0–1 0–2 1–1 2–3 3–2 2–2 0–2 —
Source: vbal4 (in Dutch)
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Period Champions

  • 1st Period: Mons (30 Points)
  • 2nd Period: Mons (25 Points)
  • 3rd Period: Mons (30 Points)

Promotion play-offs

Promotion play-offs VV

The play-offs feature eight teams, the two second-place finishers in divisions VV A and VV B as well as from each division the winners of each of the three periods (for periods won by overall champions or runners-up the highest team not yet qualified takes the spot instead). The eight teams play a knockout tournament, with all teams unseeded when setting up the draw. Due to the reform of the Belgian National Division 1 (into a separate VV and ACFF division) and uncertainty about the number of VV teams to be relegated from the Challenger Pro League, it was uncertain at the start of the playoffs how many teams would be promoted. In any case, at most one U23 team would be promoted.

Qualified teams:

  • Hasselt (runner-up division VV B)
  • Jong Cercle (highest place eligible finisher (5th) not directly qualified from division VV A)
  • Jong Essevee (2nd highest place eligible finisher (9th) not directly qualified from division VV A)
  • Jong KV Mechelen (winner period 1 division VV B)
  • Lyra-Lierse Berlaar (highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified from division VV B)
  • Merelbeke (winner period 3 division VV A)
  • Ninove (runner-up division VV A)
  • Rupel Boom (highest place eligible finisher (4th) not directly qualified from division VV B)
Round 1Round 2Placing 1st/2nd
11 May 2024
Jong Cercle1
Jong KV Mechelen023 May 2024 (Cancelled)
Jong Cercle
11 May 2024Hasselt
Hasselt1
Ninove026 May 2024 (Cancelled)
Winner Round 2 Match 1
12 May 2024Winner Round 2 Match 2
Merelbeke2
Jong Essevee123 May 2024 (Cancelled)
MerelbekePlacing 3rd/4th
12 May 2024Lyra-Lierse Berlaar26 May 2024 (Cancelled)
Lyra-Lierse Berlaar5Loser Round 2 Match 1
Rupel Boom0Loser Round 2 Match 2

Round 1

Jong Cercle1–0Jong KV Mechelen
  • Gijdé 90+2' (pen.)
Hasselt1–0Ninove
Merelbeke2–1 (a.e.t.)Jong Essevee
Lyra-Lierse Berlaar5–0Rupel Boom

After completion of round 1, it was nearly certain that the four winners would all be promoted, as six spots were available for VV teams with the first two spots taken by champions Eendracht Aalst and Belisia Bilzen, and the four round 1 winners included only one U23 team. On 17 May 2024, this was confirmed as Oostende would not be receiving a license to play in the Challenger Pro League (and thus be relegated), but would also not be receiving a license for the National Division 1, meaning it would directly relegate two levels meaning still six spots opened up, and the four round 1 winners were instantly promoted. Further rounds were thus canceled, as well as the consolation round for possible extra spots (where Jong Essevee had been drawn at home to Ninove, and Jong KV Mechelen was to host Rupel-Boom). A final twist followed a few days later when news was released that Division VV A winners Eendracht Aalst had been refused a license to be promoted and per the rules, this meant the automatic promoted shifted to the next highest eligible team Ninove, despite the fact they had lost the promotion playoffs a few days prior.

In the end, Hasselt, Jong Cercle, Lyra-Lierse Berlaar, Merelbeke and Ninove were promoted.

Promotion play-offs ACFF

The play-offs feature four teams, the second-place finishers and the winners of each of the three periods (for periods won by overall champions or runners-up the highest team not yet qualified takes the spot instead). Overall champions Mons had won all three periods and hence the four highest eligible finishers were taking part:

Qualified teams:

  • Binche (3rd highest place eligible finisher (5th) not directly qualified from division ACFF)
  • Rochefort (runner-up division ACFF)
  • Tournai (2nd highest place eligible finisher (4th) not directly qualified from division ACFF)
  • Tubize-Braine (highest place eligible finisher (3rd) not directly qualified from division ACFF)

Going into the playoffs it was already certain that all teams would be promoted due to the reform of the National Division 1 which was split into a VV and ACFF division. The playoffs were played nevertheless.

Semi-finalPlacing 1st/2nd
18 May 2024
Tournai5
Binche2
24 May 2024
Tournai1
Tubize-Braine4
19 May 2024
Rochefort0Placing 3rd/4th
Tubize-Braine526 May 2024
Binche1 (4)
Rochefort1 (3)

Round 1

Tournai5–2Binche
Rochefort0–5Tubize-Braine

All four teams were promoted.

References

  1. ^ "Le Stade Verviétois, nouveau club issu de la fusion entre le Stade Disonais et le CS Verviers, visera la Nationale 1". RTBF (in French). Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  2. ^ https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20240527_96491850
  3. ^ a b https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20240527_96491850
  4. ^ "Belgian Second Amateur Division VV A 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  5. ^ "Belgian Second Amateur Division VV A 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  6. ^ "Belgian Second Amateur Division ACFF 2020/2021". Soccerway. Retrieved 17 February 2021.