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Polish American Football League

The Polish American Football League or shortly PLFA (Polska Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego) is a structured system for the american football competitions in Poland founded in 2006 by the Polish federation, PZFA. Since 2012 season, PLFA is divided into three leagues (Ekstraklasa, PLFA I and PLFA II). Between PLFA I and PLFA II there is promotion and relegation.

The most prestigious league is Ekstraklasa; the top four teams from the Ekstraklasa regular season enter the playoffs and the winners meet in the championship game called PLFA SuperFinal (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl).

The PLFA Cup game determining the champion of the PLFA I league.

In the 2012 season there were 27 teams from 21 cities (6 teams in the Ekstraklasa, 8 teams in the PLFA I and 13 teams in the PLFA II). PLFA I and PLFA II is divided into two divisions, for the geographical reason (North and South each).

Since 2011 there is a eight-man football league, called PLFA 8 for the new clubs and reserve team of the top clubs.

History
American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland. American football, as a sport that is actually played, appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was set in Warsaw. The Polish American Football Association (Polski Związek Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly PZFA) was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding, was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland.

The first game between Polish teams (still without professional equipment) was played in December 2005 in Poznań. The historic game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in a game played in Warsaw. From that moment on teams began to develop in different parts of the country.

Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008 the league split into two divisions - PLFA I (8 teams) and PLFA II (9 teams). There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for the 2010 season.

Season structure
Regular season in the PLFA I (One) is started in March/April and ended in June/July. Each team plays nine games against each team once (4 or 5 home games and 5 or 4 away games). A team is awarded 2-points for a win, 1-point for a tie, and 0-points for a loss (tie only if the overtime can not be played). After a regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs (1st place against 4th place and 2nd against 3rd) and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called PLFA I Final (more commonly known as the Polish Bowl); there is no 3rd place game.

PLFA II is divided into two divisions, for the geographical reason (in 2011 season for North and South). The teams played five games against each team once and one bonus game with another division rival. After a regular season, top three teams in each division qualifies for the play-offs (2nd and 3rd placed team playing wildcard game; division winners and a wildcard winners played PLFA II Semi-Final games; and the winners meet in the PLFA II Final.

After the season, the PLFA II Champion is promoted to the PLFA I (last place PLFA I team is relegated to the PLFA II). PLFA I 9th place team and the PLFA II Runner-up play a promotion/relegation playoff game.

Game rules
Playing rules are based of those of the NCAA College football with minor modifications, e.g.:
 * 12-minutes quarter
 * minimum field markings
 * unsportsmanlike conduct for excessive celebrations after plays, more closer to the NFL rules
 * no Instant replay

Current
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