upper league / top league
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upper league
A high division in a sport, usually positioned in the hierarchy below the highest national league (e.g. the Bundesliga).
Nach dem Aufstieg spielt der Verein nun in der Oberliga.
After promotion, the club now plays in the upper league.
The word is made up of 'ober' (high, upper part) and 'Liga' (league/division). So it literally means an 'upper league' in the hierarchy of a sports system.
Der Verein hat das Ziel, in die Oberliga aufzusteigen.
The club's goal is to be promoted to the upper league.
You can tell from the context whether the sports meaning or the figurative meaning is intended. If it is about a club, sport, or promotion, it refers to the division. If it is about quality, technology, or business, it refers to the highest class.
Dieser Fußballclub spielt seit drei Jahren in der Oberliga.
This football club has been playing in the upper league for three years.
In a sports context, the preposition 'in' is usually used. Movement is expressed with the accusative ('in die Oberliga aufsteigen' — to be promoted to the upper league), while a state or affiliation is expressed with the dative ('in der Oberliga spielen' — to play in the upper league).
Die Mannschaft ist neu in der Oberliga.
The team is new to the upper league.
In the figurative meaning, the phrasing 'in der Oberliga spielen' (to play in the top league) or 'in der Oberliga mitspielen' (to compete in the top league) is often used to express the highest quality or excellence.
Was die Ausstattung angeht, spielt dieses Hotel in der Oberliga mit.
As far as the amenities are concerned, this hotel competes in the top league.
state league
'Oberliga' and 'Landesliga' are both names for divisions in sports. They indicate the level at which a team plays. The difference depends on the league system: 'Oberliga' is usually a higher division. 'Landesliga' is a league at the level of a German federal state and is often below it. Learners may confuse the words because neither is the highest league and both sound similarly official. To identify the exact league, you should pay attention to the name used by the relevant sports association.
Nach dem Aufstieg spielt der Verein nächste Saison in der Oberliga.
After promotion, the club will play in the Oberliga next season.
In der Landesliga trifft unsere Mannschaft oft auf Teams aus der Nähe.
In the Landesliga, our team often faces teams from nearby areas.