Sport in Montenegro
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The Sports in Montenegro revolves mostly around team sports, such as football, basketball, water polo, volleyball, and handball. Other sports involved are boxing, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, and chess.
Most popular sport is football. Among many great players from Montenegro were Dejan Savićević, Predrag Mijatović, Mirko Vučinić or Stevan Jovetić. Montenegrin national football team, founded at 2006, played in playoffs for UEFA Euro 2012, which is the biggest success in the history of national team.
Water polo is often considered the national sport. Montenegro's national team is one of the top ranked teams in the world, winning the gold medal at the 2008 Men's European Water Polo Championship in Málaga, Spain, and winning the gold medal at the 2009 FINA Men's Water Polo World League, which was held in Montenegrin capital, Podgorica. Montenegrin team PVK Primorac from Kotor became a champion of Europe at the LEN Euroleague 2009 in Rijeka, Croatia.
The Montenegro national basketball team is also known for good performances and had won a lot of medals in the past as part of the Yugoslavia national basketball team. In 2006, the Basketball Federation of Montenegro along with this team joined the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on its own, following the Independence of Montenegro. Montenegro participated on two Eurobaskets until now.
Among women sports, the national handball team is the most successful, having won the 2012 European Championship and finishing as runner-ups at the 2012 Summer Olympics. ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica won two times EHF Champions League.
Contents
National competitions[edit]
Leagues and Cups[edit]
Among many leagues and other national competitions in Montenegro, most popular are football, basketball, handball, volleyball and water polo. Since independence, Montenegrin clubs played in the competitions of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. After 2006, Montenegrin sports federations founded their own national leagues and cups.
Below is a list with all leagues and cups in the system of Montenegrin national competitions.
Champions and Cup winners[edit]
At the end of every season, champions and Cup winners from Montenegrin national competitions are playing in European competitions. Many of them have important roles in eurocups, especially in basketball, women handball, water polo and volleyball.
During the history, Montenegrin clubs won the titles in Yugoslav competitions, and especially succesfful were clubs as KK Budućnost Podgorica, ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica, RK Lovćen and PVK Jadran.
Below are the lists of champion and Cup-winner titles by Montenegrin clubs in every team-sport. Titles from Yugoslav Leagues are also included.
Football[edit]
Men[edit]
Most successful club in domestic Montenegrin football competitions is FK Rudar Pljevlja, with two champion titles and four Cups. Historicaly, most successful clubs and today most popular are FK Budućnost Podgorica and FK Sutjeska Nikšić, which were members of Yugoslav First League.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FK Rudar Pljevlja |
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2009–10, 2014–15 |
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2006-07, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2015–16 |
| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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2007–08, 2011–12 |
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2012–13 |
| FK Mogren Budva |
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2008–09, 2010–11 |
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2007-08 |
| FK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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2012–13, 2013–14 |
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| FK Mladost Podgorica |
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2015–16 |
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2014–15 |
| FK Zeta Golubovci |
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2006–07 |
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| FK Lovćen Cetinje |
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2013–14 | |
| OFK Petrovac |
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2008-09 | |
| FK Čelik Nikšić |
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2011–12 |
Women[edit]
Women's football is the youngest of all team-sports in Montenegro. First national competition was held in 2008, and until now most successfull club is ŽFK Ekonomist Nikšić with five champion trophies and one Cup winner title.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ŽFK Ekonomist Nikšić |
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2010–11, 2011-12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 |
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2015–16 |
| ŽFK Palma Podgorica |
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2008-09, 2009-10 |
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| ŽFK Breznica Pljevlja |
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2015-16 |
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Basketball[edit]
Men[edit]
Among Montenegrin basketball clubs, notable successes had KK Budućnost Podgorica, who held numerous champion titles of Yugoslavia and Montenegro, with few successful seasons in FIBA and ULEB Euroleague. KK Budućnost won all champion titles in independent Montenegro and three titles in former Yugoslavia. KK Sutjeska Nikšić won one Cup-winner trophy, and all the others were won by KK Budućnost.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 |
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1995-96, 1997-98, 2000-01, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 |
| KK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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2012-13 |
Women[edit]
Most successful women's basketball club is ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica, who is the only Montenegrin team with champion titles from Yugoslav League. Except Budućnost, notable successes had ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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2000-01, 2001-02, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 |
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2006-07, 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 |
| ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 |
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2008-09, 2009-10 |
Handball[edit]
Men[edit]
With most titles in domestic competitions, but with trophies from Yugoslav League and Cup too, RK Lovćen Cetinje is most successful Montenegrin men's handball club. Except them, six other clubs won the national trophies since 2006.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK Lovćen Cetinje |
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1999-00, 2000-01, 2006-07, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 |
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2001-02, 2002-03, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 |
| RK Budućnost Podgorica |
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2008-09, 2009-10 |
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| RK Berane |
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2007-08 |
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2006-07 |
| RK Budvanska rivijera Budva |
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2015-16 |
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| RK Mojkovac |
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2010-11 |
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| RK Sutjeska Nikšić | - |
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2007-08 | |
| RK Boka Tivat | - |
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2015-16 |
Women[edit]
The most-trophied and most successful Montenegrin club is ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica. It's one of two clubs from Montenegro which won European Champions League in team-sports (twice), and the only club which won all the titles in Montenegrin women's handball. ŽRK Budućnost is all-time most successful club in SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Montenegro.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993-1994, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
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1983–84, 1988–89, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
Volleyball[edit]
Men[edit]
Traditionally, OK Budvanska Rivijera Budva and OK Budućnost Podgorica were two successful Montenegrin volleyball clubs in former Yugoslav competitions. Since 2006, two teams dominated in Montenegrin competitions too, but majority of trophies won Budvanska Rivijera.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OK Budvanska Rivijera Budva |
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2000–01, 2008–09, 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
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2000–01, 2001–02, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
| OK Budućnost Podgorica |
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2001-02, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006–07, 2007–08 |
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1999-00, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008-09 |
Women[edit]
Among Montenegrin women's volleyball clubs, four won at least one national trophy. Most successful club is ŽOK Luka Bar, who was the only Montenegrin club which in the past participated in Yugoslav elite competitions, too.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ŽOK Luka Bar |
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2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16 |
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2006–07, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15 |
| ŽOK Galeb Bar |
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2009–10, 2010–11 |
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2009–10, 2015–16 |
| ŽOK Budućnost Podgorica |
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2011–12 |
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| AOK Rudar Pljevlja |
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2007-08, 2008–09 |
Water polo[edit]
During the era of SFR Yugoslavia, first national titles won by Montenegrin clubs were in water polo. During the history, there are three extremely successful water polo clubs from Montenegro - PVK Jadran Herceg Novi, VK Primorac Kotor and VK Budva. All that clubs are holders of both national trophies - from Yugoslavia and from Montenegrin competitions. Except that, VK Primorac was a champion of Europe.
| Club | Champions | Winning Years | Cup winners | Winning Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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1957-58, 1958–59, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015-16 |
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2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 |
| VK Primorac Kotor |
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1985-86, 2006–07, 2007–08 |
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1985-86, 2002-03, 2009-10 |
| VK Budva |
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1993-94, 2010–11, 2012–13 |
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2008-09, 2010-11 |
Montenegrin clubs in regional competitions[edit]
At the beginning od 21st century, on the teritorry of former Yugoslavia started process of founding regional sport leagues. Montenegrin clubs were among the founders of all regional competitions, and today they are participating in ABA League, WABA League, SEHA League, Women’s Regional Handball League and Adriatic Water Polo League.
An exception is Balkans Cup in football, a regional tournament which held earlier - between 60's and 90's.
Below is a list of performances of all Montenegrin clubs in regional sports competitions.
Montenegrin football clubs in Balkans Cup[edit]
Balkans Cup is a former regional football competition (1960-1994) in which Montenegrin clubs participated as a representatives of SFR Yugoslavia. Teams from Montenegro which played in Balkans Cup were FK Budućnost Podgorica and FK Sutjeska Nikšić. Biggest success made FK Budućnost, who played in the final 1991, after eliminated Galatasaray SK.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs in Balkans Cup.
| Season | Round | Home | Guest | Result |
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FK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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| FK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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| FK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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| FK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| FK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Montenegrin basketball clubs in ABA League[edit]
Today, Adriatic Basketball League is one of strongest in Europe. At 2001, one of founders was Montenegrin side KK Budućnost Podgorica, which is among most successful members of competition. Except Budućnost, in ABA League played three other clubs from Montenegro - KK Lovćen Cetinje, KK Sutjeska Nikšić and KK Mornar Bar.
KK Budućnost played four times in the semifinal of ABA League playoffs, which is the most significant success of Montenegrin clubs in that competition until now.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of ABA League.
| Season | Club | Pos | G | W | L | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001-02 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2003-04 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| KK Lovćen Cetinje |
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| 2004-05 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2006-07 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2007-08 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Playoffs: Quarterfinals |
| 2008-09 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2009-10 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2010-11 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| 2011-12 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| 2012-13 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2013-14 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2014-15 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Playoffs: Semifinals |
| 2015-16 | KK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Playoffs: Semifinals |
| KK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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| 2016-17 | KK Budućnost Podgorica | |||||
| KK Mornar Bar |
Montenegrin women's basketball clubs in WABA League[edit]
Women Adriatic Basketball League, or MŽRKL is founded at 2001, and Montenegrin clubs are part of it since 2004. Most successful Montenegrin representatives in WABA League were ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica and ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje. While ŽKK Budućnost won champion title (2015-16), ŽKK Jedinstvo finished one season as a finalist in playoffs.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of WABA League.
| Season | Club | Pos | G | W | L | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-05 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2005-06 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| ŽKK Primorje Herceg Novi |
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| 2006-07 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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| ŽKK Primorje Herceg Novi |
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| 2007-08 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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| 2008-09 | ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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Final four: Finals |
| ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2009-10 | ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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| 2010-11 | ŽKK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje |
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| 2011-12 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2013-14 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| 2014-15 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| 2015-16 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| 2016-17 | ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica | |||||
| ŽKK Nikšić |
Montenegrin handball clubs in SEHA League[edit]
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 | Note |
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| 2011-12 | RK Lovćen Cetinje |
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| RK Sutjeska Nikšić |
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| 2012-13 | RK Lovćen Cetinje |
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| 2013-14 | RK Lovćen Cetinje |
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Montenegrin women's handball clubs in WRH League[edit]
Women Regional Handball League (WRHL) is founded on 2009, and Montenegrin clubs are participating from its' inaugural season. As one of strongest European clubs, ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica dominated in the history of competition, often playing seasons without any defeat. So, ŽRK Budućnost won five titles during the six seasons of WRHL.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of WRHL.
| Season | Club | Pos | G | W | D | L | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-09 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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| 2009-10 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja |
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| 2010-11 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja |
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| 2011-12 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja |
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| 2012-13 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja |
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| 2013-14 | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica |
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CHAMPIONS |
| ŽRK Danilovgrad |
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Montenegrin water polo clubs in Adriatic League[edit]
Clubs from Montenegro were among the founders of Adriatic Water Polo League, which is established at 2008. Since its' first season, Montenegrin sides were among the most successful participants of regional competition, and PVK Jadran Herceg Novi won two titles. Othed clubs from Montenegro which participated in Adriatic League are VK Primorac Kotor, VK Budva and VA Cattaro Kotor.
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of Adriatic League.
| Season | Club | Pos | G | W | D | L | Note |
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| 2008-09 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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| VK Primorac Kotor |
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| VK Budva |
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| 2009-10 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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CHAMPIONS |
| VK Primorac Kotor |
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Final four: Semifinals | |
| VK Budva |
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| VA Cattaro Kotor |
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| 2010-11 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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CHAMPIONS |
| VK Budva |
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Playoffs: Quarterfinals | |
| VK Primorac Kotor |
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Playoffs: Quarterfinals | |
| VA Cattaro Kotor |
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| 2011-12 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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| VK Budva |
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| VK Primorac Kotor |
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| 2012-13 | VK Budva |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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| VK Primorac Kotor |
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| 2013-14 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| VK Budva |
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| VK Primorac Kotor |
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| 2014-15 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi |
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| VK Budva |
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| VK Primorac Kotor |
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| 2015-16 | PVK Jadran Herceg Novi (A1 LEAGUE) |
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Final four: Semifinals |
| VK Budva (A2 LEAGUE) |
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Promotion to A1 | |
| VK Primorac Kotor (A2 LEAGUE) |
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| VA Cattaro Kotor (A2 LEAGUE) |
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Montenegrin clubs in European competitions[edit]
During the every season, Montenegrin clubs in every team-sport are participating in European competitions. Most successful were teams in women's handball and water polo, who won the titles of Champion of Europe. Except that sports, Montenegrin teams are playing in European competitions in football (men, women), handball, basketball (men, women), volleyball (men, women) and similar sports.
Below is a list of performances of all Montenegrin clubs in European sports competitions.
Montenegrin football clubs in UEFA competitions[edit]
Men's competitions[edit]
During the history, Montenegrin football clubs played in three different UEFA competitions for clubs - UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europe League (formerly UEFA Cup) and Intertoto Cup.
Champions of Montenegro never played in the group-phase of UEFA Champions League, and most successful in the qualifiers was FK Zeta Golubovci at season 2007-08.
Best performances in UEFA Europe League had FK Zeta who played in the playoffs, and FK Mladost Podgorica and FK Budućnost which played in Round 3. Most successful in Intertoto Cup was FK Budućnost Podgorica.
Below is a list of games of all Montenegrin clubs in UEFA competitions.
Montenegrin basketball clubs in FIBA/ULEB competitions[edit]
Men's competitions[edit]
Clubs from Montenegro are playing in European basketball competitions since the 80's. Until 2006, they represented SFR Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia. Almost all European seasons by Montenegrin clubs are played by KK Budućnost. Exception is only one participation of KK Lovćen in Europe.
Most successful period was end of 90's and beggining of new century. At that time, KK Budućnost played in the finish phases of EuroLeague. In that period, Budućnost often played games against greatest European basketball teams like FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Maccabi Tel Aviv etc.
Below is a list of games of all Montenegrin clubs in FIBA/ULEB competitions.
National sports teams[edit]
- Montenegro national football team
- Montenegro national under-21 football team
- Montenegro national basketball team
- Montenegro national handball team
- Montenegro national under-21 handball team
- Montenegro women's national handball team
- Montenegro women's national under-21 handball team
- Montenegro national rugby team
- Montenegro national volleyball team
- Montenegro national water polo team