The Montenegrin Men's Handball First League (Montenegrin: Crnogorska prva muà ¡ka rukometna liga) is the top men's team handball league in Montenegro. It is organized by the Handball Federation of Montenegro.
During the history, many Montenegrin clubs played in the SFR Yugoslavia / FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro First Handball League. Among them were RK LovÃÂen, RK BuduÃÂnost, RK Mornar, RK Rudar and RK Berane.<br /> First Montenegrin team which played in Yugoslav First League is Rudar, which debuted in the top-tier on season 1964âÂÂ65. 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 LovÃÂen, and at the beginning of nineties BuduÃÂnost and Mornar. On season 1994âÂÂ95, third-placed Mornar gained participation in EHF Cities Cup 1995âÂÂ96 and that was the first ever performance of some Montenegrin side in European competitions.<br /> From season 1996âÂÂ97, started the domination of LovÃÂen â who won two champion titles in FR Yugoslavia (1999âÂÂ2000; 2000âÂÂ01), with two consecutive seasons in EHF Champions League. On season 2000âÂÂ01, LovÃÂen played in Champions League quarterfinals, against THW Kiel (29âÂÂ24; 22âÂÂ35). That was the greatest result of some Montenegrin handball team in European competitions.<br /> During the new century, except LovÃÂen, in the First League of FR Yugoslavia played Rudar (at that time under the name Pljevlja), Berane and BuduÃÂnost.<br />
Below is the list of performances of Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav Handball League with final placements on each season.<br />
The only Montenegrin club who gained trophies in Yugoslav League was RK LovÃÂen. They gained two champion titles, with four finishes as a runner-up of championship.<br /> Below is the list of Montenegrin clubs' champion titles in the First League of Yugoslavia.
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 LovÃÂen was most successful side and participated three times on regional SEHA League.<br /> 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 â TOP4 (league for the champion) and league for relegation.<br /> First League is one of three men's handball competitions in Montenegro. Other high level competition is Montenegrin Cup.
First title holder in independent Montenegro was RK LovÃÂen, who won the trophy on season 2006âÂÂ07. Their biggest opponent at the time was RK Berane, who won the champions' battle during the next season.<br /> Next two years saw the domination of RK BuduÃÂnost from Podgorica, who won two consecutive titles. Big incidents occurred at the games during both seasons. Match RK BuduÃÂnost â RK LovÃÂen, 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). BuduÃÂnost won 28:26 (18:14) and held the first title in the club history. Match ended with incidents in Sports center 'MoraÃÂa', with the clash of supporters, but the players Goran ÃÂukanovià(BuduÃÂnost) and Igor Markovià(LovÃÂen) too. Big crowd disturbances previously happened at the game RK Berane â RK LovÃÂen.<br /> RK BuduÃÂnost was dissolved during the summer 2010. During the season 2010âÂÂ11, RK Brskovo (at that time under the name RK Mojkovac) gained their first-ever trophy, after title race with RK LovÃÂen.<br /> From 2011 to 2015, RK LovÃÂen won four consecutive titles. At that time, team from Cetinje played three seasons in SEHA League, while RK Sutjeska participated once.
With poor performances of RK LovÃÂen and following earlier relegations of many notable teams as RK Berane or RK Sutjeska, title holder on season 2015âÂÂ16 was RK Budvanska rivijera. Next season, the trophy won RK Partizan from Tivat.<br /> New time of RK LovÃÂen domination started in 2017. Team from Cetinje won two consecutive trophies in seasons 2017âÂÂ18 and 2018âÂÂ19.<br /> Season 2019âÂÂ20 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 LovÃÂen won the title, while RK Komovi became a runner-up.
Since the inaugural season (2006âÂÂ07), five clubs have been champion.
Since 2006, six clubs have been Montenegrin handball champion. <br />
The most successful club is RK LovÃÂen Cetinje with 12 titles, while RK BuduÃÂnost 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), 12 titles in Montenegrin league and 12 wins in Montenegrin Cup, RK LovÃÂen is the most successful club of Montenegro.<br />
Below is an overall list, with titles won in both leagues â Montenegrin League and FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro Championship.
During the past, in Montenegrin First League participated 17 different teams. Only one club competed in the all seasons â LovÃÂen.
Below is the list of participants of the First League with their placements during the every single season.
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.
Including the season 2020/21
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
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. <br /> The following clubs compete in the First League during the 2020âÂÂ21 season.
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 LovÃÂen. <br /> Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of SEHA League.
Montenegrin men's handball clubs are participating in the EHF competitions since the season 1995âÂÂ96. <br /> First team which ever competed at the European cups was Mornar Bar and most successful Montenegrin represent in the European competitions is LovÃÂen Cetinje. The other Montenegrin clubs which competed at the EHF competitions are Berane, Rudar Pljevlja, BuduÃÂnost Podgorica, Sutjeska Nikà ¡iÃÂ, Brskovo and RK Budvanska rivijera.<br /> The greatest result in the European cups made RK LovÃÂen during the season 2000âÂÂ01. As a champion of FR Yugoslavia, LovÃÂen won fifth place in the EHF Champions League.<br /> Below is a list of Montenegrin teams which played in the European competitions. </onlyinclude>
S â seasons; G â games; W â wins; D â draws; L â losses; GD â goal difference; Pts â points (win = 2pts; draw = 1)