first-division team
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first-division team
A sports club or team that plays in the highest national division, the first division, of a particular sport.
Am Wochenende spielt der Aufsteiger gegen einen etablierten Erstligisten.
At the weekend, the promoted team is playing against an established first-division team.
The word combines 'Erste Liga' (first division/highest league) with the ending '-ist', which indicates belonging. An 'Erstligist' is therefore a member of the first division.
Der Verein möchte in der nächsten Saison endlich zum Erstligisten aufsteigen.
The club wants to finally move up to become a first-division team next season.
The structure of the word is productive. By replacing the first part, clubs from other leagues can be referred to, for example 'Zweitligist' (second-division team) or 'Bundesligist' (Bundesliga team).
Als Zweitligist hat die Mannschaft nur geringe Chancen im Pokalspiel.
As a second-division team, the club has only a small chance in the cup match.
This term is used almost exclusively in a sports context, especially in reporting on team sports such as football, handball, or basketball.
Der Torschützenkönig der letzten Saison spielt jetzt bei einem spanischen Erstligisten.
Last season's top scorer now plays for a Spanish first-division team.
second-division team
'der Zweitligist' and 'der Erstligist' both refer to sports clubs or teams according to their league. They are easy to confuse because they are formed in almost the same way. The difference lies in the number: an 'Erstligist' plays in the first and highest division. A 'Zweitligist' plays one level below that, in the second division. When you are talking about a club's strength or status, this distinction is important.
Der Erstligist reist vor dem Pokalspiel mit seiner besten Mannschaft an.
The first-division team is arriving with its best squad before the cup match.
Der Zweitligist hofft, in dieser Saison aufzusteigen.
The second-division team hopes to be promoted this season.