2. Handball-Bundesliga

The 2. Handball-Bundesliga is the second tier of professional handball in Germany. 
Season.
It is directly linked to the Handball-Bundesliga, the country's highest tier, by a promotion and relegation system. Before the 2011–12 season, the league played in two regional groups (north and south), since then it has been playing in a nationwide single division format.
Relegation and promotion.
The top two placed teams are promoted to the "Handball-Bundesliga" for the next season. The five last placed teams are relegated to the "3. Liga".