Montenegrin First League of Men's Handball
 | |
| Countries |
 |
|---|---|
| Confederation | EHF |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| Level on pyramid | Level 1 |
| International cup(s) |
EHF Cup Winners' Cup EHF Cup EHF Challenge Cup |
| Current champions | Lovćen Cetinje |
| Most championships | Lovćen Cetinje (6) |
| Website | http://www.rscg.co.me |
The Montenegrin First League of Men's Handball (in Montenegrin: Prva Muška Liga) is the top men's team handball league in Montenegro. It is organized by the Handball Federation of Montenegro.
History
Before independence
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.
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 | 1999-00, 2000-01 |
After independence
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 clubs, and the season have two parts. During the first part, there are 14 weekends, after which are forming two groups - TOP4 (league for the champion) and LAST4 (league for relegation).
First League is one of three men's handball competitions in Montenegro. Other high level competition is Montenegrin Cup.
Champions
From the inaugural season (2006/07), five different clubs won the champion title in Montenegrin First League.
Titles by season
Titles by Club
Montenegrin League
Since 2006, five different clubs won the trophy of Montenegrin handball champion.
Most successful were RK Lovćen Cetinje with 5 titles and now dissolved RK Budućnost Podgorica (2 trophies). With 2 titles from FR Yugoslavia Championship (2000, 2001), two trophies of FRY Cup Winner (2002, 2003) and 5 wins in Montenegrin Cup, RK Lovćen is the most successful participant of Montenegrin First League.
Clubs which have one champions trophy are RK Mojkovac, RK Berane, RK Partizan Tivat and RK Budvanska Rivijera.
| Club | Titles | Runners-up | Years Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| RK Lovćen Cetinje | 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 | ||
| RK Budućnost Podgorica | 2009, 2010 | ||
| RK Budvanska rivijera Budva | 2016 | ||
| RK Berane | 2008 | ||
| RK Mojkovac | 2011 | ||
| RK Partizan Tivat | 2017 | ||
| RK Sutjeska Nikšić | |||
Overall
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 | 2000, 2001, 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 | ||
| RK Budućnost Podgorica | 2009, 2010 | ||
| RK Budvanska rivijera Budva | 2016 | ||
| RK Berane | 2008 | ||
| RK Mojkovac | 2011 | ||
| RK Partizan Tivat | 2017 | ||
| RK Sutjeska Nikšić | |||
Performances by clubs
During the past, in Montenegrin First League participated 17 different teams. Only one club compete in the all seasons - Lovćen.
| Club | Participations | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| RK Lovćen Cetinje | 12 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| RK Mojkovac | 11 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| RK Berane | 9 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 |
| RK Sutjeska Nikšić | 8 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 |
| RK Budvanska rivijera Budva | 8 | 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| RK Rudar Pljevlja | 8 | 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| RK Mornar Bar | 7 | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2017 |
| RK Partizan Tivat | 7 | 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| RK Budućnost Podgorica | 3 | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
| RK Ulcinj | 3 | 2013, 2014, 2015 |
| RK Danilovgrad | 2 | 2010, 2014 |
| RK Komovi Andrijevica | 2 | 2016, 2018 |
| RK Cepelin Cetinje | 2 | 2007, 2012 |
| RK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje | 1 | 2018 |
| RK Mornar 7 Bar | 1 | 2018 |
| RK Sedmerac Bar | 1 | 2012 |
| RK Ivangrad | 1 | 2017 |
Attendances by season
| 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 | Mojkovac (1,033) | Mornar (288) |
| 2011–12 | 387 | 28,600 | 74 | 1,200 | Lovćen (690) | Sedmerac (222) |
| 2012–13 | 448 | 26,900 | 60 | 1,500 | Mojkovac (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) |
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
Montenegrin handball clubs in SEHA League
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 | |||||
| RK Sutjeska Nikšić | ||||||
| 2012-13 | RK Lovćen Cetinje | |||||
| 2013-14 | RK Lovćen Cetinje |
Montenegrin handball clubs in European competitions
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, Mojkovac and Budvanska rivijera Budva.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berane | 4 | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 459:453 | 20 |
| Budućnost Podgorica | 2 | 16 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 483:450 | 20 |
| Budvanska rivijera Budva | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 135:171 | 0 |
| Lovćen Cetinje | 18 | 69 | 27 | 3 | 39 | 1758:1847 | 55 |
| Mojkovac | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 134:203 | 2 |
| Mornar Bar | 4 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 282:280 | 8 |
| Partizan Tivat | 2 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 148:161 | 5 |
| Rudar Pljevlja | 1 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 97:114 | 4 |
| Sutjeska Nikšić | 5 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 323:372 | 11 |
| 9 TEAMS | 147 | 57 | 10 | 80 | 3819:4051 | 124 |
S - seasons; G - games; W - wins; D - draw; L - loses; GD - goal difference; Pts - points (win = 2pts; draw = 1)