Internasjonal Fotballserie
Current season, competition or edition: 2024 IFS Season | |
 | |
| Formerly | Nordlig Liga Sørlig Fotballforbund Jortfeld-Hartizsák -Furby Island League |
|---|---|
| Sport | Tronder Rules Football |
| Founded | May 17, 1950 Alna, Tevitheim |
| Inaugural season | 1950-1951 Season |
| Commissioner | Erik Sorensen |
| No. of teams | 28 |
| Country | Tevitheim, Jortfeld, and Hartizsák and Furby Island |
| Headquarters | Alna, Tevitheim |
| Most recent champion(s) | Koross (5th title) |
| Most titles | Alna City (8 titles) |
The Internasjonal Fotballserie (IFS) is a professional Tronder rules football league that consists of 30 clubs. The IFS is the highest level of Tronder rules football (simply known as "football" in the member countries) in Tevitheim, Jortfeld, and Hartizsák and Furby Island. Each IFS season begins in early June, followed by a 17-week regular season which runs from late August to late December, for a total of 23 games per club over 17 weeks. Following the conclusion of the regular season, the top two clubs with the most points (established by the point system) in each division move on to the finals, a series tournament that culminates in the IFS Championship Series, which is contested in December to January. In addition, three other awards are granted: the Offensive and Defensive shields are given to the clubs with the best offenses and defenses, as determined by a commission of journalists, pundits, players, and coaches. In addition, the Oberjarl's Trophy is given to the club with the best record. Winning all three of these awards, plus the championship game, is known as crowned season. The IFS is a full member of the INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION, the governing body for Tronder rules football.
The IFS was formed in 1950 as a merger of the Western-HFI League, the Northern League, and the Southern Association of Football. This new league began with 15 clubs, six from the WHFI, four from the Northern, and five from the Southern. The league would expand over several and reached its current number of 30 in 1997. While initially final standings determined the champion, a three-way tie between Jarlens, Adelsønn, and North Furby Island in 1964 led to a single elimination tournament to determine the champion, which was won by Jarlens. The final rounds were so popular that the league voted to keep the structure for the next years. This system was expanded from 3 clubs to 4, 6 in 1973, 8 in 1984, and then eventually to 12 in 1997. The IFS is the most popular sports league in the three countries which host teams, averaging 11 million viewers per game and an average attendance of 49,000 people.
Alna City holds the most championships with eight titles and the most Oberjarl's Trophies, winning six. The reigning league champion is Koross, who defeated North Furby Island in three games to win its fifth ever championship.
Organizational Structure
Season Format
Regular Season
Currently, the league operates under a round-robin system, with each club playing every other club in the league at least once, for a total of 23 games per club. The league runs a 25-week regular season, with bye weeks in weeks 9 and 18 and a total of 345 games. Since 2000, the season has begun the last Monday of September which is not September 30 and concludes in mid March, roughly 25 weeks later. The opening game of the season is normally a home game on a Monday night for the league's defending champion. The league is divided into six divisions of five teams. Each team plays its division twice (8 games), another two random and rotating divisions once (10 games), the similar finisher from the last three divisions (3 games), and two rivalry games against the same opponents every year (2 games) for a total of 23 games.
Most IFS games are played on Saturdays and Sundays, with a Monday night game typically held at least once a week. Most weeks (with some exceptions) IFS games include five Saturday afternoon games, two Saturday night games, five Sunday afternoon games, a Sunday night game, and two Monday evening games. IFS games are rarely scheduled for Tuesday or Wednesday, and those days have only been used three times since 1948: in 2010, when a Sunday game was rescheduled to Tuesday due to a hurricane; in 2012, when the Kickoff game was moved from Monday to Sunday to avoid conflict with the national conventions of several political parties; and in 2020, when a game was postponed from Monday to Wednesday due to a terror-risk being declared by the government.
Although a club's home and away opponents are constant, the exact dates and times for IFS games are not determined until much later because the league has to account for, among other things, operation of other sports leagues and local events that could pose a scheduling conflict with IFS games. During the 2010 season, over 200,000 potential schedules were created by computers, 1,000 of which were considered "playable schedules" and were reviewed by the IFS's scheduling team. After arriving at what they felt was the best schedule out of the group, nearly 50 more potential schedules were developed to try to ensure that the chosen schedule would be the best possible one.
Postseason
Following the conclusion of the regular season, a 12-club variable tournament, called the IFS postseason. The top two teams in each division are invited along with the top two teams which failed to be in their division's top two. The first and second place division winners are granted byes in the first round. During the first round, division winners host non division winners, and 14 teams are cut to eight teams. During the second, lower seeds host higher seeds with eight teams cut to four, and again during the third round which cuts the number of teams to just two. The final championship is a three game series between the two finalists.
Clubs are selected according to their point values relative to the rest of their division. Points are earned in the regular season by teams for their performance. A win is worth two points, a tie or an overtime loss is worth one point, and a regulation loss is worth zero points. Ties are broken through a series of tiebreakers outlined by the league's officials. In the event a team has gotten into the playoffs with more losses than wins, and another team has more wins than losses but has missed the postseason, then the second team will replace the first team.
Player Acquisition
National Draft
Each May (excluding 2014 when it took place in June), the IFS holds a selection of players from lower leagues, which act as farms for the IFS as a whole. The selection process consists of fourteen rounds, with each of the 24 clubs getting one selection in each round. The order is determined by regular-season record though it is randomized. This is because, prior to 2004, teams were alleged to intentionally lose games in order to obtain a better place in the upcoming selections. To disincentivize this behavior, teams are randomized in groups of three. For example, prior to 2004 the 24th team would have selected first. However, since 2004 the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th teams are in a lottery for the first, second, and third selections and the lottery is weighted- the 22nd team will have three tickets, the 23rd will have two, and the 24th just one. This is done to discourage deliberately losing games, since fewer wins could still mean a worse draft pick. All potential selectees must be at least twenty years old in order to be eligible for the selections. Farm players that have met that criterion to be eligible for the selections must write an application to their respective developmental leagues by February 15 renouncing their remaining contacts. Clubs can trade away picks for future selections, but cannot trade the rights to players they have selected in previous selections.
Aside from the seven selections each club gets, compensatory selections are given to teams that have lost more compensatory uncontracted players than they have gained. These are spread out from rounds 6 to 14, and a total of 24 are given. Clubs are required to make their selection within a certain period of time, the exact time depending on which round the pick is made in. If they fail to do so on time, the clubs behind them can begin to select their players in order, but they do not lose the selection outright. This happened in the 2014 selections, when Kirkeby failed to make their selection on time. Måkeøyene and Noord Strand were able to make their picks before Kirkeby was able to use theirs. Selected players are only allowed to negotiate contracts with the club that picked them, but if they choose not to sign they become eligible for the next year's selection. Under the current collective bargaining contract, all contracts to drafted players must be four-year deals with a club option for a fifth. Contracts themselves are limited to a certain amount of money, depending on the exact selection the player was selected with. Players who were eligible but not picked in the selections process are free to sign with any club.
Like many other major sports leagues, the IFS maintains protocol for a disaster restocking. In the event of a 'near disaster' (less than 15 players killed or disabled) that caused the club to lose a large portion of their roster in a certain position, they could select one from a team with at least three if that position. In the event of a 'disaster' (15 or more players killed or disabled) that results in a club's season being canceled, a further selection would be held. Missile strikes during the opening days of the Third Great War killed enough members of two clubs (Nye Trondheim and Alna City) to trigger a disaster restocking for both. However, league play was entirely canceled before the process could begin.
Uncontracted Players
Uncontracted players in the IFS are divided into restricted uncontracted players, who have three accrued seasons and whose current contract has expired, and unrestricted uncontracted players, who have four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired. An accrued season is defined as "six or more regular-season games on a club's active/inactive, reserved/injured or reserve/physically unable to perform lists". Restricted uncontracted players are allowed to negotiate with other clubs besides their former club, but the former club has the right to match any offer. If they choose not to, they are compensated with selections in the next national selection. Unrestricted uncontracted players are free to sign with any club, and no compensation is owed if they sign with a different club.
Clubs are given one player hold to offer to any unrestricted uncontracted players. The player hold is a one-year deal that pays the player 120% of his previous contract or no less than the average of the five highest-paid players at his position, whichever is greater. There are two types of player holds: exclusive holds, which do not allow the player to negotiate with other clubs, and non-exclusive holds, which allow the player to negotiate with other clubs but gives his former club the right to match any offer and two first-round selections if they decline to match it.
Clubs also have the option to use a transition hold, which is similar to the non-exclusive player hold but offers no compensation if the former club refuses to match the offer. Due to that stipulation, the transition hold is rarely used, even with the removal of the "poison pill" strategy (offering a contract with stipulations that the former club would be unable to match) that essentially ended the usage of the hold league-wide. Each club is subject to a salary cap, which is set at ᵹ595.2 million (or about Ø192 million) for the 2022-2023 season.
Members of clubs' practice squads, despite being paid by and working for their respective clubs, are also simultaneously a kind of uncontracted player and are able to sign to any other club's active roster (provided their new club is not their previous club's next opponent within a set number of days) without compensation to their previous club; practice squad players cannot be signed to other clubs' practice squads, however, unless released by their original club first.
Trophies and Honors
The Internasjonal Fotballserie has used three different trophies to honor its champion over its existence. The first trophy, the Republican Cup, was first created in 1950 to honor the champions of the newly created league. The trophy was intended to be a traveling trophy and not become permanent until a team had won ten titles. However, after just over 20 years of being used by the IFS, the Republican Cup was destroyed by Kherni bombing campaigns during the Third Great War. The remains of the cup were never found.
A second trophy, the Memorial Trophy, was issued by the IFS from 1987 to 1999. The trophy was dedicated to those who died during the Third Great War, with the names of all players, coaches, and IFS staff who died being engraved into the base of the trophy. In addition to the main trophy, which would be in the posession of the current league champion, the league issued a smaller replica trophy to each champion, who would maintain permanent control over it. This was considered disrespectful, and the trophy was discontinued. The Memorial Trophy is now instead kept by the club who last won it, the Drondheim Brewers, who won the trophy in 1999.
The current trophy of the IFS is the International Cup. The trophy was named to represent the international nature of the new championship and was created to reflect the growing league, being announced alongside the expansion of the league from to 24 clubs. Unlike the Republican Cup, the International Cup is a pure traveling trophy, being placed in a place of honor somewhere in the winning club's stadium. Clubs are authorized to make copies of the trophy for display, which are identical to the real trophy other than an engraving of the final matchup and result into the trophy. In addition, each player and coach on the winning team are awarded rings to commemorate their victory. Each ring design varies, but they usually include the matchup's score and the emblem or colors of the winning club.
In addition to the championship trophies, the IFS awards three other team awards. The first and most prestigious is the Oberjarl's Trophy, which is awarded to the team which has the best record in the league and is awarded by the Oberjarl of Tevitheim in a ceremony at the end of the season. The Oberjarl's Trophy de jure ranks equivalent to a league championship, though it is de facto not as prestigious. However, it is often considered a respectable end to the season by itself. The second and third are ranked equally, the Offensive and Defensive Shields. Unlike the simple math of the Oberjarl's Trophy, the shields are awarded by a panel of journalists, pundits, statisticians, coaches, and players by anonymous vote. The shields are given to the clubs with the best offenses and defenses, respectively.
A perfect season, where a team wins the championship, Oberjarl's Trophy, and both shields, has happened ten times since 1950. The club with the most perfect seasons is Tre Konger FK, which takes its name from the three seasons where it was "king" of the league; 1957, 1997, and 2002. Four other clubs have won perfect seasons; Adelsønn (1985 and 2018), Jarlens (1966), North Furby Island (1974 and 1976), and Nye Trondheim (1989). Kirkeby has earned the nickname of "Killers of Kings" because in three separate seasons (1975, 1994, and 2008) Kirkeby has, in some way, denied a team the perfect season.
Clubs
| Crowned Club | League Champions | Oberjarl's Trophy | Offensive Shield | Defensive Shield |
| Emblem | Club | Location | 2023-2024 Finish | Playoff Finish | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finish | Points | W | L | T | ||||
|
Ålessos | Ålessos, Tevitheim | 23rd | 10 | 5 | 23 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Adelsønn Bears | Adelsønn, Tevitheim | 12th | 30 | 15 | 13 | 0 | Won (at Langager) 21-10 Lost (at Jortfeld City) 31-33 |
|
Alna City | Alna, Tevitheim | 1st | 50 | 25 | 3 | 0 | Lost (vs Koross) 10-22 |
|
Jarlens | Paalstun, Tevitheim | 5th | 42 | 21 | 7 | 0 | Won (vs Måkeøyene) 30-22 Lost (vs Koross) 18-28 |
|
Alna United | Alna, Tevitheim | 13th | 30 | 15 | 13 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Drondheim Brewers | Drondheim, Tevitheim | 8th | 36 | 18 | 10 | 0 | Lost (vs Koross) 14-18 |
|
Frihavn | Frihavn, Tevitheim | 24th | 8 | 4 | 24 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Elvheim | Elvheim, Tevitheim | 18th | 18 | 9 | 19 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Fort Beaker | Fort Beaker, Tevitheim | 19th | 18 | 9 | 19 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Hartizsák | Hartizsák, Hartizsák and Furby Island | 9th | 18 | 9 | 8 | 0 | Lost (at Øyboere) 10-44 |
|
Willemby | Willemby, Tevitheim | 21st | 14 | 7 | 21 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Jortfeld City | Friside, Jortfeld | 2nd | 48 | 24 | 4 | 0 | Won (vs Adelsønn) 33-31 Lost (vs North Furby Island) 22-28 |
|
Jortfeld Men's | Atlantisk, Jortfeld | 15th | 28 | 14 | 14 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Kirkeby | Kirkeby, Tevitheim | 16th | 26 | 13 | 15 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Kongenesby | Kongenesby, Tevitheim | 20th | 16 | 8 | 20 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Koross | Koross, Tevitheim | 10th | 36 | 18 | 10 | 0 | Won (at Drondheim) 18-14 Won (at Alna City) 22-10 Won (at Jarlens) 28-18 Won (vs North Furby Island) in 3 |
|
Langager | Langager, Hartizsák and Furby Island | 7th | 36 | 18 | 10 | 0 | Lost (vs Adelsønn) 10-21 |
|
Måkeøyene | Kystheim, Tevitheim | 4th | 46 | 23 | 5 | 0 | Won (vs Noord Strand) 36-33 Lost (at Jarlens) 22-30 |
|
Noord Strand | New Hammerfest, Tevitheim | 11th | 30 | 15 | 13 | 0 | Lost (at Måkeøyene) 33-36 |
|
North Furby Island | Bedford, Hartizsák and Furby Island | 3rd | 46 | 23 | 5 | 0 | Won (vs Øyboere) 44-10 Won (at Jortfeld City) 28-22 Lost (vs Koross) in 3 |
|
Nye Trondheim | Oshkosh, Tevitheim | 17th | 24 | 12 | 16 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Øyboere | Anders-På-Havet, Tevitheim | 6th | 40 | 20 | 8 | 0 | Won (vs Hartizsák) 22-19 Lost (at North Furby Island) 10-44 |
|
Prospekt | Anvers, Tevitheim | 22nd | 12 | 6 | 22 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Tre Konger | Rikbakk, Tevitheim | 14th | 28 | 14 | 14 | 0 | Did not qualify |
|
Gulkystheim | Buktheim, Tevitheim | ||||||
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Aketikhold | Aketikhold, Tevitheim | ||||||
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Roseland | Roseland, Tevitheim | ||||||
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Vårdame | Vårdame, Tevitheim | ||||||
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New Hammerfest | New Hammerfest, Tevitheim | ||||||
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Marooner | Drondheim, Tevitheim | ||||||