Initially the DDR-Oberliga was operated on an autumn-spring schedule as was traditional in Germany. From 1956 to 1960 a Soviet-style spring-autumn (calendar year) schedule was in place.[citation needed] This required a transition round in 1955 and, although no champion was formally declared that season, Wismut Karl-Marx-Stadt finished atop the division.[7] 1961/62 saw the return of an autumn-spring season and an extended schedule (39 matches vs. 26 matches) was played with each club meeting the others a total of three times – once at home, once away, and once at a neutral venue.[8]