Please explain the Brazilian and Argentinian leagues

For a long time I've been confused about how these two major South American leagues work - from what I understand, there's first state championships, then a national league, and in the middle (just like Europe) the Copa Libertadores goes on in midweek...but can someone (Puro or the other South American posters) explain it exactly? Like which tournament/league runs from which month to which, how the qualification for Libertadores is decided, what the "Clausura" is, etc.

Thanks

I've always been fascinated by the Argentine League. Mainly because I don't know why it is split into and opening (Apertura) League and closing (Clausura) stages. Why can't it be one big League?

Am I right in saying that there is no real Cup cometition in Argentina as well.

Cesc wrote:I've always been fascinated by the Argentine League. Mainly because I don't know why it is split into and opening (Apertura) League and closing (Clausura) stages. Why can't it be one big League?

Am I right in saying that there is no real Cup cometition in Argentina as well.

I think so, but that's a question I had as well.

Ok, here's some info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primera_Divisi%C3%B3n_Argentina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_football_league_system

Argentina:

there are two leagues per year in Argentina, Apertura and Clausura. so there are 2 champions per year.


Brazil:

From January to May:

- state leagues (there are 27 states, therefore 27 state leagues)

From February to June:

- Copa do Brasil (our FA cup equivalent)

- Copa libertadores

From May to December:

- Brazilian League. It used to have different rules every year until 2002. It had quarter finals, semi finals, and the final. Now there are 20 clubs playing against each other home-and-away just like in the European leagues. I prefer the old format, with quarters, semis and a final.

From July (or august) to November:

- Copa Sulamericana.

Thanks