Montenegrin Men's Handball First League

The Montenegrin Men's Handball First League (Montenegrin: Crnogorska prva muška rukometna liga) is the top men's team handball league in Montenegro. It is organized by the Handball Federation of Montenegro.

Montenegrin First League
Current season, competition or edition:
Current sports event 2023–24 Montenegrin First Handball League
SportHandball
Founded2006
No. of teams10
CountryMontenegro
ConfederationEHF
Most recent
champion(s)
Lovćen (10th title)
Most titlesLovćen (10 titles)
International cup(s)EHF Cup Winners' Cup
EHF Cup
EHF Challenge Cup
Official websitehttp://www.rscg.me

History

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Before independence

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During the history, many Montenegrin clubs played in the SFR Yugoslavia / FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro First Handball League. Among them were RK Lovćen, RK Budućnost, RK Mornar, RK Rudar and RK Berane.
First Montenegrin team which played in Yugoslav First League is Rudar, which debuted in the top-tier on season 1964–65. More than 20 years passed until next teams from Montenegro played in the top-tier. At the end of nineties, member of First League became Lovćen, and at the beginning of nineties Budućnost and Mornar. On season 1994–95, third-placed Mornar gained participation in EHF Cities Cup 1995–96 and that was the first ever performance of some Montenegrin side in European competitions.
From season 1996–97, started the domination of Lovćen – who won two champion titles in FR Yugoslavia (1999–2000; 2000–01), with two consecutive seasons in EHF Champions League. On season 2000–01, Lovćen played in Champions League quarterfinals, against THW Kiel (29–24; 22–35). That was the greatest result of some Montenegrin handball team in European competitions.
During the new century, except Lovćen, in the First League of FR Yugoslavia played Rudar (at that time under the name Pljevlja), Berane and Budućnost.

Below is the list of performances of Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav Handball League with final placements on each season.

Club 65 69 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06
Rudar 11 13 7 7 8 5
Lovćen 6 11 15 7 12 2 3 2 1 1 2 2 5 7 3
Budućnost 16 15
Mornar 7 8 6 3 9 9 13
Berane 9 11 6 12 10 5

The only Montenegrin club who gained trophies in Yugoslav League was RK Lovćen. They gained two champion titles, with four finishes as a runner-up of championship.
Below is the list of Montenegrin clubs' champion titles in the First League of Yugoslavia.

Club Winners Runners-up Winning Years
RK Lovćen Cetinje
2
4
1999–00, 2000–01

After independence

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Soon after the Montenegrin independence referendum, Handball Federation of Montenegro founded its own competitions, with the First League as a top-tier competition. During the history, RK Lovćen was most successful side and participated three times on regional SEHA League.
In the league participate eight or ten clubs, and the season have two parts. During the first part, there are 14 or 18 legs, after which are forming two groups – TOP4 (league for the champion) and league for relegation.
First League is one of three men's handball competitions in Montenegro. Other high level competition is Montenegrin Cup.

Period 2006–2015

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First title holder in independent Montenegro was RK Lovćen, who won the trophy on season 2006–07. Their biggest opponent at the time was RK Berane, who won the champions' battle during the next season.
Next two years saw the domination of RK Budućnost from Podgorica, who won two consecutive titles. Big incidents occurred at the games during both seasons. Match RK Budućnost – RK Lovćen, which decided about national champion, played on 17 May 2009, was the most attended game in the history of Montenegrin First League (4,000 spectators). Budućnost won 28:26 (18:14) and held the first title in the club history. Match ended with incidents in Sports center 'Morača', with the clash of supporters, but the players Goran Đukanović (Budućnost) and Igor Marković (Lovćen) too. Big crowd disturbances previously happened at the game RK Berane – RK Lovćen.[1]
RK Budućnost was dissolved during the summer 2010. During the season 2010–11, RK Brskovo (at that time under the name RK Mojkovac) gained their first-ever trophy, after title race with RK Lovćen.
From 2011 to 2015, RK Lovćen won four consecutive titles. At that time, team from Cetinje played three seasons in SEHA League, while RK Sutjeska participated once.

Period 2016–

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With poor performances of RK Lovćen and following earlier relegations of many notable teams as RK Berane or RK Sutjeska, title holder on season 2015–16 was RK Budvanska rivijera. Next season, the trophy won RK Partizan from Tivat.
New time of RK Lovćen domination started in 2017. Team from Cetinje won two consecutive trophies in seasons 2017–18 and 2018–19.
Season 2019–20 was interrupted after 12 weeks, due to coronavirus pandemic. During the April, Montenegrin national handball federation decided to erase all the results in every single competition.[2] But, after the consultations with the First League members in May, federation changed the decision, so the table after 13 weeks became a final score of the season.[3] With that decision, RK Lovćen won the title, while RK Komovi became a runner-up.

Champions

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From the inaugural season (2006–07), five different clubs won the champion title in Montenegrin First League.

Titles by season

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Season Champions Runners-up Third
2006–07 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Berane RK Sutjeska Nikšić
2007–08 RK Berane RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Sutjeska Nikšić
2008–09 RK Budućnost Podgorica RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Sutjeska Nikšić
2009–10 RK Budućnost Podgorica RK Sutjeska Nikšić RK Lovćen Cetinje
2010–11 RK Brskovo Mojkovac RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Sutjeska Nikšić
2011–12 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Brskovo Mojkovac RK Sutjeska Nikšić
2012–13 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Brskovo Mojkovac RK Budvanska rivijera
2013–14 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Budvanska rivijera RK Partizan Tivat
2014–15 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Budvanska rivijera RK Berane
2015–16 RK Budvanska rivijera RK Partizan Tivat RK Lovćen Cetinje
2016–17 RK Partizan Tivat RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Brskovo Mojkovac
2017–18 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Partizan Tivat RK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje
2018–19 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Komovi Andrijevica RK Partizan Tivat
2019–20 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Komovi Andrijevica RK Partizan Tivat
2020–21 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Budvanska rivijera RK Komovi Andrijevica
2021–22 RK Budvanska rivijera RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Budućnost Podgorica
2022–23 RK Lovćen Cetinje RK Budvanska rivijera RK Rudar Pljevlja
2023–24

Titles by Club

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Montenegrin League

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Since 2006, six different clubs won the trophy of the Montenegrin handball champion.

The most successful club is RK Lovćen Cetinje with 10 titles, while RK Budućnost Podgorica and RK Budvanska rivijera have won 2 titles. RK Brskovo, RK Berane and RK Partizan Tivat all have a single championship title.

With 2 titles from FR Yugoslavia Championship (2000, 2001), two times winner of the FRY Cup (2002, 2003), 10 titles in Montenegrin league and 12 wins in Montenegrin Cup, RK Lovćen is the most successful club of Montenegro.

Club Titles Runners-up Years Won
RK Lovćen Cetinje
10
5
2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
RK Budućnost Podgorica
2
-
2009, 2010
RK Budvanska rivijera
2
2
2016, 2022
RK Berane
1
1
2008
RK Brskovo Mojkovac
1
2
2011
RK Partizan Tivat
1
2
2017

Overall

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Below is an overall list, with titles won in both leagues – Montenegrin League and FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro Championship.

Club Titles Runners-up Years Won
RK Lovćen Cetinje
12
8
2000, 2001, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023
RK Budućnost Podgorica
2
-
2009, 2010
RK Budvanska rivijera
2
2
2016, 2022
RK Berane
1
1
2008
RK Brskovo Mojkovac
1
2
2011
RK Partizan Tivat
1
2
2017

Performances by clubs

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Seasons

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During the past, in Montenegrin First League participated 17 different teams. Only one club competed in the all seasons – Lovćen.

Club Participations Seasons
RK Lovćen Cetinje 18 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Brskovo Mojkovac 14 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Budvanska rivijera 14 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Berane 13 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Rudar Pljevlja 13 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Partizan Tivat 13 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Sutjeska Nikšić 11 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Mornar 7 Bar 8 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024,
RK Komovi Andrijevica 7 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
RK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje 7 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Mornar Bar 6 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013
RK Danilovgrad 5 2010, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022
RK Budućnost Podgorica 6 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2024
RK Ulcinj 3 2013, 2014, 2015
RK Cepelin Cetinje 2 2007, 2012
RK Ivangrad Berane 2 2017, 2019
RK Sedmerac Bar 1 2012

Final placements

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Below is the list of participants of the First League with their placements during the every single season.

Club 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
RK Berane 2 1 4 7 6 8 7 3 4 4
RK Partizan 7 7 3 5 2 1 2 3 3 5
RK Budućnost 5 1 1
RK Budvanska rivijera 5 6 5 4 3 2 2 1 5 7 2
RK Cepelin 8 7
RK Danilovgrad 8 7 8 8
RK Ivangrad 6 7
RK Jedinstvo 3 4 5 9
RK Komovi 7 4 2 2 3
RK Lovćen 1 2 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1
RK Brskovo Mojkovac 5 6 6 1 2 2 5 6 5 3 5
RK Mornar 4 4 8 7 7 6
RK Mornar 7 5 6 6 6 6
RK Rudar 6 7 4 5 5 4 6 4 4 7
RK Sedmerac 6
RK Sutjeska 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 4
RK Ulcinj 5 6 7

All-time table

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All-time Montenegrin First League table is a ranking of all Montenegrin handball clubs based on their performance in top tier. In this ranking 2 points are awarded for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss. Highlighted clubs played in the First League in the 2019/20 season.

Rank Club Seasonsa Games W D L Pts
1 RK Lovćen 15 260 232 10 38 454
2 RK Budvanska rivijera 11 208 107 15 86 208
3 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 11 194 83 14 95 '180
4 RK Partizan 10 172 85 10 77 180
5 RK Berane 10 196 82 13 101 177 '
6 RK Sutjeska 8 160 81 11 68 173
7 RK Rudar 10 186 66 10 110 142
8 RK Budućnost 3 64 52 1 11 105
9 RK Komovi 5 82 38 5 39 81
10 RK Mornar 6 112 34 8 70 76
11 RK Jedinstvo 4 68 24 3 41 51
12 RK Mornar 7 5 76 25 1 50 51
13 RK Ulcinj 3 48 12 4 32 28
14 RK Danilovgrad 4 70 10 1 59 21
15 RK Cepelin 2 34 5 2 27 12
16 RK Ivangrad 2 30 4 2 24 10
17 RK Sedmerac 1 18 4 1 13 9

^a Including the season 2020/21

Attendances by season

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Season Avg Overall M H CH CL
2006–07 570 45,600 80 3,000 Berane (1,160) Boka (260)
2007–08 551 34,700 63 2,500 Berane (1,278) Boka (150)
2008–09 651 72,900 112 4,000 Lovćen (875) Budva (286)
2009–10 560 44,800 80 3,000 Budućnost (1,020) Danilovgrad (240)
2010–11 557 33,400 60 1,500 Brskovo (1,033) Mornar (288)
2011–12 387 28,600 74 1,200 Lovćen (690) Sedmerac (222)
2012–13 448 26,900 60 1,500 Brskovo (778) Berane (275)
2013–14 402 20,900 52 1,000 Lovćen (522) Danilovgrad (188)
2014–15 434 25,150 58 1,500 Rudar (833) RK Ulcinj (183)
2015–16 388 23,300 60 1,000 Budva (478) Komovi (144)
2016–17 416 17,450 42 1,000 Lovćen (643) Ivangrad (214)
2017–18 313 13,750 44 1,200 Lovćen (457) Mornar 7 (183)
2018–19 331 19,850 60 1,500 Ivangrad (575) Partizan (167)
2019–20 470 22,100 47 1,500 Rudar (1,033) Partizan (117)
2020–21 Without attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic

M = Number of matches (only matches with spectators counted); H = Highest attendance on one match; CH = Club with highest average attendance; CL = Club with lowest average attendance

Current season

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At the first part of competition, nine teams play a two-round robin competition. In second phase, four best-placed teams are playing six-weeks long League for champion, while all the others are participating in playout.
The following clubs compete in the First League during the 2020–21 season.

Team City Arena Capacity
Berane Berane Gradska dvorana Berane 2,200
RK Budvanska rivijera Budva Mediterranean SC 1,500
Danilovgrad Danilovgrad City Hall 1,000
Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje SC Nikoljac 3,000
Komovi Andrijevica Gradska dvorana Berane 2,200
Lovćen Cetinje SRC Lovćen 1,500
Mornar 7 Bar Topolica 3,000
Partizan Tivat Župa 1,500
Rudar Pljevlja SC Ada 3,000

Montenegrin handball clubs in SEHA League

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Southeastern European Handball Association League, or SEHA League is founded at 2011, and Montenegrin clubs were part of it since first season. Most successful Montenegrin representative in regional league was RK Lovćen.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of SEHA League.

Season Club Pos G W D L
2011–12 RK Lovćen Cetinje
6
21
12
0
9
RK Sutjeska Nikšić
10
21
3
1
17
2012–13 RK Lovćen Cetinje
6
18
9
2
7
2013–14 RK Lovćen Cetinje
9
18
3
2
13

Montenegrin handball clubs in European competitions

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Montenegrin men's handball clubs are participating in the EHF competitions since the season 1995–96.
First team which ever competed at the European cups was Mornar Bar and most successful Montenegrin represent in the European competitions is Lovćen Cetinje. The other Montenegrin clubs which competed at the EHF competitions are Berane, Rudar Pljevlja, Budućnost Podgorica, Sutjeska Nikšić, Brskovo and RK Budvanska rivijera.
The greatest result in the European cups made RK Lovćen during the season 2000–01. As a champion of FR Yugoslavia, Lovćen won fifth place in the EHF Champions League.
Below is a list of Montenegrin teams which played in the European competitions.

Club S G W D L GD Pts
Lovćen Cetinje 20 73 27 4 42 1860:1984 56
Berane 4 16 10 0 6 459:453 20
Budućnost Podgorica 2 16 9 2 5 483:450 20
Sutjeska Nikšić 5 14 3 2 9 323:372 11
Mornar Bar 4 10 4 0 6 282:280 8
Brskovo Mojkovac 4 10 3 0 7 200:274 6
Partizan Tivat 3 8 1 3 4 187:231 5
Rudar Pljevlja 1 4 2 0 2 97:114 4
RK Budvanska rivijera 3 6 0 0 6 135:171 0
Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje 1 2 0 0 2 46:73 0
10 TEAMS 159 59 11 89 4072:4402 129

S – seasons; G – games; W – wins; D – draws; L – losses; GD – goal difference; Pts – points (win = 2pts; draw = 1)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "RUKOMET: Lovćenu bodovi za "zelenim stolom"". MTELCG.
  2. ^ "Rukometni Savez Crne Gore ,The Handball Federation of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro". rscg.me. Archived from the original on 23 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Rukometni Savez Crne Gore ,The Handball Federation of Montenegro, Podgorica, Montenegro". rscg.me. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020.
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