Uruguay II Division

Uruguay had familiar season – back to normal, so to say: Penarol and Nacional competed for the title, with everybody else far behind. And as it ever was, it was Montevideo championship all the way – no provincial club in first and second divisions. The Uruguyan championship was seemingly usual league format, yet, with some peculiarities. They involved relegation-promotion and participation in Copa Libertadores. Since the first division was increasing, one team was relegated and two promoted, to make it 14-team league in the next season. Thus, the second division was spurred into action. 10-team league, with specific relegation rule: the combined record of the last two season counted. Made no difference at the end, for Uruguay Montevideo finished last on both accounts: last with 9 points in the regular season, and its combined record was also last – 19 points. Far behind than Alto Peru, which had 28 points. So Uruguay Montevideo was relegated to third division.

At the top it was more complicated. Progreso won the season with 27 points. Miramar finished second with 23 points – the same as La Luz, but with better goal-difference. No other team managed to come near – Rampla Juniors, the most famous so to say club in the second division finished 5th with 18 points.

Rampla Juniors – if names could win, they should have been champions. Alas, the old club ended in mid-table position.

Progreso appeared unquestionable champion, but… no promotion yet. Instead a play-off had to played between the winners of each half of the season – Progreso vs Miramar. Justice prevailed and Progreso won both legs: 3-1 and 3-2.

Progreso won the championship and the promotion.

Miramar had a second chance – promotion/relegation play off against La Luz, the 3rd placed second division team, and Liverpool – 12th in first division. Unless a combined two-season record determined first division relegation, there was no reason Liverpool playing here – Rentistas finished last, 13th, but they was curiously in no danger. Anyhow, Miramar and La Luz opened the mini-tournament with 1-1 draw. Then Liverpool won 2-1 against La Luz and the last match was thorough final – a win of a tie would keep Liverpool in first division. Miramar would get promotion only if they won – which they did: 2-1.

Miramar was promoted to their joy, if only at the second attempt. Miramar was founded in 1906 – most Uruguayan clubs are old and by local standards Miramar was much older one than its immediate rivals – Progreso was founded in 1917; Liverpool – in 1915; and La Luz – later. Yet, Miramar was hardly known outside the country – they were small club. Not only that, money were usually short – Miramar had to merge with Albion and played under the name Albion Miramar between 1876-78. Then the entity was deconstructed back to two clubs. In 1979 Miramar played under its original name, only to merge in June 1980 with Misiones – the logo above belongs to Miramar Misiones: this merger still remains.

At the end, Progreso and Miramar were promoted to first division and Liverpool relegated to the second.