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.
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. 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 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 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 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. 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– 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. 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. With that decision, RK Lovćen won the title, while RK Komovi became a runner-up.
Champions Since the inaugural season (2006–07), five clubs have been champion.
Titles by season SeasonChampionsRunners-upThird2006–07RK Lovćen CetinjeRK BeraneRK Sutjeska Nikšić2007–08RK BeraneRK Lovćen CetinjeRK Sutjeska Nikšić2008–09RK Budućnost PodgoricaRK Lovćen CetinjeRK Sutjeska Nikšić2009–10RK Budućnost PodgoricaRK Sutjeska NikšićRK Lovćen Cetinje2010–11RK Brskovo MojkovacRK Lovćen CetinjeRK Sutjeska Nikšić2011–12RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Brskovo MojkovacRK Sutjeska Nikšić2012–13RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Brskovo MojkovacRK Budvanska rivijera2013–14RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Partizan Tivat2014–15RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Berane2015–16RK Budvanska rivijeraRK Partizan TivatRK Lovćen Cetinje2016–17RK Partizan TivatRK Lovćen CetinjeRK Brskovo Mojkovac2017–18RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Partizan TivatRK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje2018–19RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Komovi AndrijevicaRK Partizan Tivat2019–20RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Komovi AndrijevicaRK Partizan Tivat2020–21RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Komovi Andrijevica2021–22RK Budvanska rivijeraRK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budućnost Podgorica2022–23RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Rudar Pljevlja2023–24RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Rudar Pljevlja2024–25RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budućnost PodgoricaRK Rudar Pljevlja2025–26RK Lovćen CetinjeRK Budvanska rivijeraRK Sutjeska Nikšić
Titles by Club Montenegrin League Since 2006, six clubs have been Montenegrin handball champion.
The most successful club is RK Lovćen Cetinje with 12 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), 13 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 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Budućnost Podgorica 2009, 2010 RK Budvanska rivijera 2016, 2022 RK Berane 2008 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 2011 RK Partizan Tivat 2017
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, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Budućnost Podgorica 2009, 2010 RK Budvanska rivijera 2016, 2022 RK Berane 2008 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 2011 RK Partizan Tivat 2017
Performances by clubs Seasons 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 20 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 16 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Budvanska rivijera 16 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Berane 15 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Rudar Pljevlja 15 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Partizan Tivat 15 2007, 2008, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Sutjeska Nikšić 13 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Mornar 7 Bar 10 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje 9 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Budućnost Podgorica 8 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 RK Komovi Andrijevica 7 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 RK Mornar Bar 6 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 RK Danilovgrad 5 2010, 2014, 2020, 2021, 2022 RK Ulcinj 3 2013, 2014, 2015 RK Cepelin Cetinje 2 2007, 2012 RK Ivangrad Berane 2 2017, 2019 RK Zabjelo 2 2025, 2026 RK Sedmerac Bar 1 2012
Final placements 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 22 23 24 25 26 RK Berane 2 1 4 7 6 8 7 – 3 4 – – – – 4 5 4 7 6 7 RK Partizan 7 7 – – – – – 3 5 2 1 2 3 3 5 7 9 4 5 9 RK Budućnost – 5 1 1 – – – – – – – – – – – 3 5 6 2 4 RK Budvanska rivijera – – 5 6 5 4 3 2 2 1 – – 5 7 2 1 2 2 7 2 RK Cepelin 8 – – – – 7 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – RK Danilovgrad – – – 8 – – – 7 – – – – – 8 8 12 12 – – – RK Ivangrad – – – – – – – – – – 6 – 7 – – – – – – – RK Jedinstvo – – – – – – – – – – – 3 4 5 9 8 11 9 10 10 RK Komovi – – – – – – – – – 7 – 4 2 2 3 10 7 – – – RK Lovćen 1 2 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 5 6 6 – 1 2 2 5 6 5 3 5 – – – 9 8 10 11 11 RK Mornar 4 4 8 7 7 – 6 – – – – – – – – – – – – – RK Mornar 7 – – – – – – – – – – 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 5 8 6 RK Rudar 6 – 7 4 5 5 – – 4 6 4 – – 4 7 4 3 3 3 5 RK Sedmerac – – – – – 6 – – – – – – – – – – – – – – RK Sutjeska 3 3 3 2 3 3 4 4 – – – – – – – 11 10 8 9 3 RK Ulcinj – – – – – – 5 6 7 – – – – – – – – – – – RK Zabjelo – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 4 8
All-time table 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.
RankClubSeasonsGamesWDLPts1 RK Lovćen 15 260 232 10 38 4542 RK Budvanska rivijera 11 208 107 15 86 208 3 RK Brskovo Mojkovac 11 194 83 14 95 '1804 RK Partizan 10 172 85 10 77 1805 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 1428 RK Budućnost 3 64 52 1 11 105 9 RK Komovi 5 82 38 5 39 8110 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 2814 RK Danilovgrad 4 70 10 1 59 2115 RK Cepelin 2 34 5 2 27 1216 RK Ivangrad 2 30 4 2 24 1017 RK Sedmerac 1 18 4 1 13 9
Including the season 2020/21
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 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