Capital: Minsk Population: 10.3 million Currency: Belorussian Rouble Official Language: Belorussian and Russian Borders: Lativa (North), Russia (North/East), Ukraine (South), Poland (South/West), Lithuania (West) GNP per Capita: $2,150 (84th in world) Main Airport: Minsk International - Minsk
Formally known as White Russia due to the harsh winter temperatures. It was one of the last states to give up Soviet rule as it was unable to cope without its lord and master. The south of the country was deeply affected by the Chornobyl disaster in 1986 in neighbouring Ukraine. Tourism still hasn't reached the country and entry restrictions still remain.
The Belarusian Premier League or the Vysshaya Liga is the top division of professional football in Belarus. There are 14 teams in the competition. At the end of the season two teams get relegated in Belarusian First League and get replaced with two top First League teams. It is organized by Belarusian Football Federation.
FC BATE are the current Belarusian Premier League champions.
History Belarusian Premier League was organized in 1992. In it’s earliest years it was dominated by FC Dinamo Minsk, which won the league 5 times in a row. Of late however the league has been more evenly fought with the four main teams being FC Dinamo Minsk, FC BATE, FC MTZ-RIPO and FC Shakhtyor.
Season Champions 1992 FC Dinamo Minsk 1992-1993 FC Dinamo Minsk 1993-1994 FC Dinamo Minsk 1994-1995 FC Dinamo Minsk 1995 FC Dinamo Minsk 1996 FC MPKC 1997 FC Dinamo Minsk 1998 FC Dnepr-Transmash 1999 FC BATE 2000 FC Slavia 2001 FC Belshina 2002 FC BATE 2003 FC Gomel 2004 FC Dinamo Minsk 2005 FC Shakhtyor 2006 FC BATE 2007 FC BATE 2008 FA BATE
Premier League in 2008 In 2008/09 the Belarusian Premier League will consist of the following 16 teams and the league was expanded from 14 teams to 16 teams, with FC Minsk being relegated, who subsequently won the 2nd division with ease and will replace Daryda in 2009.
DETAILS ON FIXTURES FOR THE FORTHCOMING SEASON CAN BE FOUND HERE.
FC BATE - Reigning Belarussian champions who are based in the city of Borisov. Their stadium is the intimate Horodskiy Stadium which holds 5,500 fans. They will be competing in the Champions League Group Stages for the first time ever this season, drawn in a group along with Real Madrid, Juventus and Zenit St Petersburg in what can only be described as the ultimate group of death.
FC Darida - Small club from Kuntsaushchyna. They play in the newly constructed Darida Stadium which seats 6,000 fans but were relegated at the end of the 2008 season.
FC Dinamo Brest Cup winners in 2007, Dinamo play in the small town of Brest. Their 10,168 Dinamo Stadium is one of the biggest in the country. Pictured left.
FC Dinamo Minsk - Based in the capital Minsk. They play at the national stadium. More details can be found by clicking her
FC Dnepr Transmash Mahilyow - Located in the eastern city of Mahilyow close to the Russian border. Their stadium, the Spartak holds 6,800 spectators.
FC Gomel - League champions in 2003, and finished in 5th place in 2006. They play at the Central Stadion in Gomel which is a brand new 14,000 seater arena.
Hranit Mikashevichy - Promoted to the top league in 2008. Located in the small town of Mikashevichy. Their stadium holds 3,500.
FK Vitebsk - Located in the town of Vitebsk in the Tsentral'nyi Sportkompleks which is a 8,300 seater stadium.
FC Minsk - Potentially relegated from the top league in 2007 but will be back for the 2009 season. They play at the Tarpeda Stadion in Minsk which holds 7,000. More details can be found by clicking here.
FC MTZ-RIPO - Club with a good European pedigree, they finished in 3rd place in 2006. They play at the Traktor Stadium in Minsk which holds 17,600, Pictured left. More details can be found here.
FC Naftan - Based in the small town of Navapolatsk at the Atlant Stadium which holds 4,500.
FC Neman - With one single cup win to their name, FC Neman are one of the smallest teams in the league. They are based in Grodno and play in the Nema Stadium which holds 6,000.
FC Savit Mahilyou - Promoted at the end of last season to renew their rivally with inter city rivals FC Dnper.
FC Shakhtyor - Champions in 2005, the club are based in Salihorsk and play at the Shakhtsyor Stadium which holds 3,000.
FC Smarhon - Small club that play home games in the 3,000 capacity Junost stadium in Smarhon.
FC Torpedo Zhodino - Another small club located in Zhodino. They play at the Torpedo stadium which holds 3,000.
FC Dinamo Brest
FC MTZ-RIPO - Club with a good European pedigree, they finished in 3rd place in 2006. They play at the Traktor Stadium in Minsk which holds 17,600, Pictured left. More details can be found 