RK Lovćen

Rukometni klub Lovćen is a Montenegrin handball club from Old Royal Capital Cetinje, that plays in Montenegrin First League.

For the parent multisport club, see SD Lovćen Cetinje.

RK Lovćen
Full nameRukometni klub Lovćen
Short nameLovćen
Founded1949
ArenaSRC Lovćen, Cetinje
Capacity1,500
Head coachDuško Milić
LeagueFirst Handball League
2018-191st
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For decades, Lovćen has been the most successful Montenegrin men's handball club and the only team from Montenegro which won men's handball trophies in the Yugoslav era. During the 2001 and 2002, Lovćen played in the EHF Champions League.

History
RK Lovćen - RK Partizan, 2013
RK Lovćen - RK Crvena zvezda, 2011

Formed at 1949, Lovćen is among oldest handball clubs in Montenegro. During the decades, especially from 80's until today, Lovćen became most successful Montenegrin men's handball club, but the most trophied team from Old Royal Capital Cetinje. There is huge number of great Montenegrin, Yugoslav and European players which produced handball school of Lovćen. During the decades, Lovćen became most important base of Montenegro national handball team players.

First biggest success, Lovćen made during the start of 80's, when they became permanent member of Yugoslav Second League. In the second half of the same decade, Lovćen won the trophy of Second League champion and became first Montenegrin men's handball club which gained promotion to the First League of SFR Yugoslavia.

First seasons in the First league
Main article: RK Lovćen in the First League

First match in First league of SFR Yugoslavia, Lovćen played in October 1988 against RK Jugović away and won with result 23:20. Their first season in strongest domestic competition, Lovćen finished in sixth place. After three successful years in the SFR Yugoslavia, and the matches against great names of European handball like Zagreb Hromos, Metaloplastika Šabac or RK Borac Banja Luka, Lovćen was relegated at the end of season 1990/94.

At the season 1994/95, Lovćen returned to the First League of FR Yugoslavia and in the next years made notable results. With the second place at the end of season 1996/96, Lovćen get promotion to their first European competition - EHF Cup 1997/98. In the next two seasons, team was placed on the top positions of Yugoslav First League, with placements at the Quarterfinals of the EHF Cities Cup and EHF Cup.

Trophies in the FR Yugoslavia

One of the glory days in the club history was 17 May 2000. On that day, Lovćen won their first champions title in the First League. With the four points more than Sintelon Bačka Palanka, Lovćen provided their first appearance in the EHF Champions League.

Season 2000/01 was the most successful in the club history. At the EHF Champions League 2000/01 Lovćen finished as first team in the Group 'D' and played in the Quarterfinals. On that season, fans at Cetinje watched Lovćen games against great European clubs like THW Kiel or Portland San Antonio. At the same period, Lovćen won another one title in the First Yugoslav League, with two points more than Partizan Belgrade. On 8 November 2000, Lovćen recorded their biggest win in the Yugoslav League - against Vojvodina Novi Sad at Cetinje - 43:17.

EHF Champions League 2000/01 - Group D

Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts
Lovćen Cetinje 6 4 1 1 160 150 +10 9
SDC San Antonio 6 4 0 2 170 155 +15 8
IL Runar Sandefjord 6 2 0 4 151 165 −14 4
Banik Karvina 6 1 1 4 170 181 −11 3
Source:

At the 2001/02 season, Lovćen again participated in the EHF Champions League, but finished domestic season at the second place, after three dramatic play-off finals against Partizan Belgrade (24:23, 24:25, 24:25). During that season, Lovćen won their first trophy on the Yugoslav Cup - in the final match, in Vršac, club from Cetinje defeated Sintelon Bačka Palanka - 19:18.

Next year, Lovćen repeated their success in the Cup of Yugoslavia and that was the last club's trophy during the FR Yugoslavia era. In the next seasons, Lovćen stayed in the top of domestic league, with permanent appearances in the European cups.

Montenegrin independence

Following the Montenegrin independence, national handball association of Montenegro established their own First League and Cup Competition. Lovćen became the first champion of independent Montenegro in the season 2006/07, after 20 matches - 18 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss.

In the next years, Lovćen became weaker in the domestic championship. During the period from 2007 to 2011, Lovćen didn't won any First League title, but they triumphed in the Cup seasons 2009, 2010 and 2011. Finally, at the end of season 2011/12, Lovćen again became Champion of Montenegro, with new Cup title. Same success club made in the season 2012/13, with the best performance in Montenegrin men's handball - 21 match / 21 win (League and Cup). New doubles (league and cup winner) Lovćen made at seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15.

RK Lovćen player during the match against RK Vardar

Honours and achievements

National Championships - 10

  • Champion of FR Yugoslavia (2)
    • 2000, 2001.
  • Champion of Montenegro (8)
    • 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020

National Cups - 11

European Cups

RK Lovćen in domestic and regional competitions

First League seasons
Main article: RK Lovćen in the First League

From the 1988 until today, Lovćen played 23 seasons in the First Handball League of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Montenegro. Five times, club from Cetinje won the champions' title - in the seasons 1999/00, 2000/01, 2006/07, 2011/12 and 2012/13.

CountrySeasonPlacementMWDL
1988/896th3016113
1989/9011th3013116
1990/9115th308022
1994/957th2812313
1995/9612th2912017
1996/972nd261637
1997/983rd *261656
1998/992nd211614
1999/001st302712
2000/011st *201721
2001/021st *302613
2002/032nd322525
2003/045th18918
2004/057th18729
2005/063rd10523
2006/071st201811
2007/082nd181206
2008/092nd282305
2009/103rd201235
2010/112nd181323
2011/121st201811
2012/131st181800
2013/141st181701
2014/151st181701
2015/162nd181314
OVERALL57438633155

* Play-off 1997/98 - semifinals: Lovćen - Crvena zvezda 28:29, 23:22, 24:29
* Play-off 2000/01 - final: Lovćen - Sintelon 33:23, 23:22
* Play-off 2001/02 - final: Lovćen - Partizan 24:23, 24:25, 24:25

National Cup trophies

Most trophies in the club history, Lovćen won in the national Cup. Club from Cetinje holds 2 winner titles in the Cup of FR Yugoslavia and five in the Montenegrin Cup.

Lovćen hold Cup trophies from the seasons 2001/02, 2002/03, 2008/09, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13.

Below is the list of final matches in which Lovćen won the Cup trophy.

CountryCup SeasonHostFinal matchResult
2001/02
VršacLovćen Cetinje - Sintelon Bačka Palanka
19:18 (10:10)
2002/03
BelgradeLovćen Cetinje - Partizan Belgrade
28:26 (13:11)
2008/09
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Budućnost Podgorica
26:25 (13:12)
2009/10
PljevljaLovćen Cetinje - Sutjeska Nikšić
18:17 (10:10)
2010/11
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
31:25 (19:16)
2011/12
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
23:19 (10:12)
2012/13
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
28:22 (15:11)
2013/14
DanilovgradLovćen Cetinje - Danilovgrad
41:28 (21:12)
2014/15
BudvaLovćen Cetinje - Budvanska Rivijera
25:21 (13:12)

SEHA League seasons
Main article: RK Lovćen in SEHA League

Lovćen has been a member of Regional SEHA League since its establishment. During the past seasons, Montenegrin club made several great results, like two wins against Zagreb (30:28, 27:25), Vardar (23:21) and Tatran Prešov (30:29). Today, Lovćen is the only SEHA League member from Montenegro.

In their first SEHA League season, Lovćen made surprising result, with final placement on 6th position. Year after that, Lovćen finished season on the same table position.

In the season 2013/14, because of new SEHA League criteria, SRC Lovćen hall was reconstructed, with changing capacity from 1,500 to 2,020. During that season, Lovćen made poorest performance in the SEHA League, winning 9th place on the final table.

SeasonPlacementMWDL
2011/20126th211209
2012/20136th18927
2013/20149th183213
OVERALL5724429

RK Lovćen in Europe

Handball club Lovćen is permanent member of European handball competitions since 1997. The greatest result Lovćen made during the EHF Champions League 2000/01 when they participated in the quarterfinals against THW Kiel.

Until today, Lovćen played 69 games in European Competitions. Montenegrin club won 27 games, with three draws and 39 defeats.

CompetitionMatchesWDLGD
EHF Champions League18819429:451
EHF Cup Winners' Cup14617336:362
EHF Cup256118660:731
EHF Challenge Cup12705333:303
OVERALL69273391758:1847

Seasons in European competitions

Lovćen played 18 seasons in the EHF European competitions:

1997/98 - EHF Cup
1998/99 - EHF Cities Cup
1999/00 - EHF Cup
2000/01 - EHF Champions League
2001/02 - EHF Champions League
2002/03 - EHF Cup Winners' Cup
2003/04 - EHF Cup Winners' Cup
2005/06 - EHF Cup Winners' Cup
2006/07 - EHF Challenge Cup
2007/08 - EHF Cup
2008/09 - EHF Cup
2009/10 - EHF Cup Winners' Cup
2010/11 - EHF Cup
2011/12 - EHF Cup Winners' Cup
2012/13 - EHF Champions League / EHF Cup
2013/14 - EHF Cup
2014/15 - EHF Cup
2015/16 - EHF Cup

Matches

During the history, Lovćen participated in every European clubs' competition - EHF Champions League, EHF Cup, EHF Challenge Cup (former EHF Cities Cup) and EHF Cup Winners' Cup.

Season Competition Round Opponent Score
1997/98 EHF Cup 1/16 Minaur Baia Mare 25:20, 17:25
1998/99 EHF Cities Cup 1/16 HRK Izviđač Ljubuški 41:20, 38:30
1/8 Virum-Sorgenfri HK 29:20, 20:26
1/4 Drammen HK 29:23, 24:32
1999/00 EHF Cup 1/16 SKP Frýdek-Místek 34:23, 23:29
1/8 Diyarbakir PolisGücü 32:24
1/4 ABC Braga 25:24, 21:26
2000/01 EHF Champions League Qual Remus Bärnbach-Köflach 30:23, 30:16
Group IL Runar 25:22, 28:23
Group Portland San Antonio 25:24, 22:25
Group Baník Karviná 31:27, 29:29
1/4 THW Kiel 29:24, 22:35
2001/02 EHF Champions League Group Kolding IF 23:28, 18:20
Group Sporting Lisbon CP 26:22, 0:10
Group Portland San Antonio 24:28, 19:39
2002/03 EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 HPC Arkatron Minsk 31:25, 24:18
1/8 Energiya Voronezh 30:29, 20:29
2003/04 EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 RK Sloga Doboj 29:27, 33:34
1/8 Cankaya Bel. Ankara 18:21, 20:20
2005/06 EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 RK Sloga Doboj 27:24, 22:27
2006/07 EHF Challenge Cup 1/16 RK Berane 26:19, 20:23
1/8 RK Borac Banja Luka 27:17, 23:30
1/4 Drammen HK 29:26, 27:37
2007/08 EHF Cup 1/16 HB Dudelange 30:30, 34:35
2008/09 EHF Cup 1/32 Neistin Tórshavn 35:21, 32:33
1/16 Benfica 28:26, 23:24
1/8 RK Gorenje Velenje 28:33, 16:35
2009/10 EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Tremblay-en-France Handball 27:24, 20:33
2010/11 EHF Cup 1/16 Xico Andebol 25:26, 32:33
2011/12 EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Benfica 21:25, 14:26
2012/13 EHF Champions League Group RK Sloga Doboj 23:25
Group FC Porto 25:31
EHF Cup 1/32 Kolding IF 31:32, 17:34
2013/14 EHF Cup 1/32 Maccabi Tel Aviv 35:37, 29:30
2014/15 EHF Cup 1/32 HC Kriens - Luzern 22:30, 25:37
2015/16 EHF Cup 1/32 KRAS/Volendam 23:34, 18:30

Opponents by countries

In the European competitions, Lovćen played against clubs from various 19 countries, including Montenegro.

Country Matches W D L GD
Austria 2 2 0 0 60:39
Belarus 2 2 0 0 55:43
Bosnia and Herzegovina 9 5 0 4 273:234
Czech Republic 4 2 1 1 117:108
Denmark 6 1 0 5 138:160
Faroe Islands 2 1 0 1 67:54
France 2 1 0 1 47:57
Germany 2 1 0 1 51:59
Israel 2 0 0 2 64:65
Luxembourg 2 0 1 1 64:67
Montenegro 2 1 0 1 46:42
Netherlands 2 0 0 2 41:64
Norway 6 4 0 2 162:163
Portugal 11 3 0 8 240:273
Romania 2 1 0 1 42:45
Russia 2 1 0 1 50:58
Slovenia 2 0 0 2 44:68
Spain 4 1 0 3 90:116
Switzerland 2 0 0 2 47:67
Turkey 3 1 1 1 70:65
OVERALL 69 27 3 39 1758:1847

Current squad

RK Lovćen Cetinje roster - season 2013/14
As of 10 March 2014


Coach: Zoran Abramović
Official kit supplier: Legea
Sponsors: Prijestonica Cetinje / Old Royal Capital Cetinje (city government), Lovćen Osiguranje / Lovćen Insurance

Notable former players
  • Ivan Ražnatović

Notable coaches

See also
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