Professional Sports in Sel Appa

Like in most countries, sports in Sel Appa are very popular. Professionally, only two are followed by nearly the entire populace: (ice) hockey and football (soccer). Both are played back-to-back in winter and summer, respectively. This allows for a non-stop sports season. It also permits those lamenting their team's loss in the National Cup to look forward to the opening season of the other sport.

Football

Football is, by far, the most popular sport in Sel Appa. Played by nearly everyone at some point in their life, in a local mini-league, school team, amateur league, or maybe professional league. Most children receive their own football by their third birthday and are often brought outside to play with it and usually a small practice goal. Parents will usually sign the child up for a mini-league and if successful there, the child will likely tryout for his school's team. From there, some will continue at university and then professional leagues. Those who do not make professional leagues may join amateur leagues in their spare time.

Professional Leagues

There are three professional leagues in Sel Appa: Premier Football League, League One, and League Two. Each league contains 10 teams. The PFL contains the top 10 teams in all of Sel Appa. At the end of every season, the top two teams in the lower two leagues bump up to the league above. The third and fourth-place teams play-off for a third promotion. Meanwhile, the bottom three teams in the top two leagues relegate to the league below. Promotion to the next league usually gets a team more funding, sponsors, and coverage. Relegation will decrease funding, sponsors, and coverage. Teams will generally always have a solid fan base that will watch matches, regardless of place or league. However, there is a marked difference in attendance when teams are promoted or relegated.

Sel Appa Premier Football League

The PFL contains the top 10 teams in all of Sel Appa. Being in this league is very prestigious and the goal of all teams. Enormosu amounts of coverage and funding are given to teams in this league. Some teams, such as the Nemnen Turtles, have managed to stay in the top league for most or all of their existence.

Turtle Cup

The Turtle Cup is the name of the championship for both the FFSA and the HFSA. The most prestigious tournament in Sel Appa, all teams dream of entering it.

Format

At the end of the season, the top four teams in each group are entered into the tournament. Four groups of three are drawn and the teams playoff in a 2-leg group stage. The top two teams will advance to the Quarterfinals. Group A's winner plays Group B's runner-up and Group A's runner-up plays Group B's winner. The same occurs for Group C and D. From the Quaterfianls on, the tournament is in knockout format. The winners of the Quarterfinals go on to the Semifinals. The winners of the Semifinals go on to the Final. The losers of the Semifinals play a consolation third-place match. The winner of the Final wins the Turtle Cup.

Trophy

The winning team will receive the actual Cup to display until they do not qualify or lose the tournament. Afterwards, they receive a bronze copy with their team name on it and the year it was won in. The actual cup is inscribed with the winners and the year won.