Montenegrin First League
Official logo
Founded2006
Country Montenegro
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toMontenegrin Second League
Domestic cup(s)Montenegrin Cup
International cup(s)UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa Conference League
Current championsBudućnost (6th title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsBudućnost
(6 titles)
Most appearancesIvan Novović (440)
Top goalscorerŽarko Korać (112 goals)
TV partnersRTCG, Arena Sport
Websitefscg.me/takmicenja/meridianbet-1-cfl/
Current: 2023–24 Montenegrin First League

The First League of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Prva crnogorska fudbalska liga — Prva CFL — 1. CFL; pronounced [pr̂ːvaː t͡srnǒɡorskaː fûdbaːlskaː lǐːɡa]) is the top professional football league in Montenegro. Founded in 2006, competition is headed by the Football Association of Montenegro. 10 teams participate in this league. The winner of the Montenegrin First League starts the qualifications for the UEFA Champions League from the second round. The second and third placed teams and Montenegrin Cup winner play in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Conference League. The last placed team is directly relegated to the Montenegrin Second League, and the two next lowest ranked teams play in Montenegrin First League playoffs.

History

Before independence

As a part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, Montenegrin clubs played in the Montenegrin Football Championship which was formed in 1922.[1][2][3] Despite the presence of the nationwide Yugoslav Football Championship, Montenegrin teams did not partake in it. Montenegrin Football Championship played until the beginning of World War II.

The most successful teams at that period were SK Crnogorac Cetinje (10 titles), GSK Balšić Podgorica (7), FK Lovćen Cetinje (5), FK Budućnost Podgorica (4) and FK Arsenal Tivat (1). While SK Crnogorac and GSK Balšić played all the seasons, work of FK Budućnost and FK Lovćen was forbidden in 1935, as they were recognized as workers' clubs by Kingdom of Yugoslavia government and forbidden.

After World War II and the formation of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the top league became the Yugoslav First League. Montenegrin teams were allowed to partake in the nationwide league structure, with a Montenegrin Republic League acting as a lower-tier division with promotion and relegation between the Yugoslav league system. The most prominent clubs from Montenegro in this period were FK Budućnost and FK Sutjeska.

FK Budućnost was among the founders of Yugoslav First League and a member of its inaugural season. During the most of SFRY era, FK Budućnost played in First League, while another team from Montenegro in top-tier was FK Sutjeska. Other teams played in Yugoslav Second League or lower ranks. Among them, most successful was FK Lovćen, who played twice in First League qualifiers, but without success at the end of campaigns.

Below is the list of performances of Montenegrin teams in Yugoslav First League from 1946 to 1992, with final placements on every single season.

Club474950565758596063656772737677
Budućnost 106101191091114----159
Sutjeska ---------15151618--
Club787980818283848586878889909192
Budućnost 1161168141415147914101712
Sutjeska -------9101017---13

In 1992 when SFR Yugoslavia dissolved the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was formed. Serbian and Montenegrin teams played in its national league, although it was still named Yugoslav First League. In 2003, FR Yugoslavia became Serbia and Montenegro and the football league was renamed. Montenegrin clubs played in the First League with Serbian clubs from 1992 to 2006. In that period, representatives of Montenegro in the Yugoslav/Serbia and Montenegro First League were FK Budućnost, FK Sutjeska, FK Rudar, FK Mogren, FK Zeta, FK Kom and FK Jedinstvo.

Below is the list of performances of Montenegrin teams in FR Yugoslavia First League from 1992 to 2006, with final placements on every single season.

Club9394959697989900010203040506
Budućnost 1061114108141215---614
Sutjeska 161819-2021-57114815-
Mogren 1320----1519--16---
Rudar -1320--20---717---
Zeta --------13581135
Kom -----------16--
Jedinstvo -------------16

For 2004–05, restructuring of the Serbo-Montenegrin football league system saw the dissolution of the national second league, instead being replaced by two regional divisions for both republics of the union with promotion to the still-united First League.

Montenegrin teams which played in European competitions during Yugoslav era were FK Budućnost, FK Sutjeska and FK Zeta.

After independence

In 2006, after the Independence referendum, Montenegro split from Serbia. Following that, Montenegrin First League is founded as top-tier national competition. On inaugural season, members of League became three teams from former First League of Serbia and Montenegro, seven from Second League, and two from Montenegrin Republic League.

Between 2006 and 2017, the league consisted on 12 clubs, which played 33 matches during the season. From the 2017-18 season the number of participants in the Montenegrin First League was reduced to 10, with a 36 week-long competition.

20 clubs have participated in the Montenegrin First League. The most successful are FK Sutjeska with five titles and FK Budućnost five national titles too. FK Rudar and FK Mogren won two titles. Other winners were FK Zeta and OFK Titograd with one title.

2006–16

Official logo 2007-2018

The first game in Prva CFL was played on 11 August 2006 in Pljevlja. In front of 5,000 spectators, a game between the home side FK Rudar and FK Budućnost, finished with a victory of the away team (0-2). In the fifth minute of that match, Ivan Čarapić (Budućnost) scored the first goal in the history of Prva CFL.

The first champion of the top-tier CFL was Zeta, who won the trophy on the championship's final weekend, after a hard struggle with neighbouring Budućnost. Game between FK Berane and FK Budućnost was not even finished, after the crowd disturbances during the second half.[4] A third derby between Budućnost and Zeta in Podgorica was attended by 10,000 spectators, which is a record-high attendance in the history of CFL. During the season, many games were disrupted by crowd disturbances[5] and a match between Zeta and Budućnost in Golubovci was not played, after the decision was made by the home team not to open their stadium following discussion with Football Association of Montenegro.[6]

Next season started with incidents during the Montenegrin Derby in Nikšić. Budućnost won the title, with the same number of points as Zeta and Mogren. But, Budućnost had the best score against two opponents from the top of the table. This marked the first trophy for the team from Podgorica.[7] Their manager at that time Branko Babić became the first foreign coach to win the Prva CFL title. With an average attendance of 4,250 for their home games, Budućnost made a Montenegrin First League all-time record.

The title winners for season 2008–09 became Mogren,[8] the first-ever club from the coastal Montenegro to win the title. The race for the champions' trophy lasted until the final week, when Mogren won an away game against Jedinstvo (2-1). At the end of season, they had four points more than second-placed Budućnost and 11 more than the third-place team - Sutjeska.

A year later Rudar[9] won the first title in their club's history. They won the trophy after dramatic struggle with Budućnost, and only two points decided the championship race. During that year, Ivan Bošković from Grbalj scored 28 goals, which is the all-time record for one single season. During the last week of season, his team made another record, with the highest victory ever in Montenegrin First League, against Kom (11-0).[10] During that game, Bošković scored four goals - which is another Prva CFL record, shared with FK Zeta's player Miljan Vlaisavljević and OFK Titograd's player Zoran Petrović.

Mogren became first club to win a second champion trophy in Prva CFL. The team from Budva won the title on season 2010–11, but with equal number of points as second-placed Budućnost: (73).[11] In the end, head-to-head scores compared, Mogren were victorious over Budućnost (2-1; 2-0; 1-2).

Budućnost won their second trophy in season 2011–12,[12] whilst also setting records for highest number of points in CFL by single season (80) and highest number of scored goals by season (83). But, the team from Podgorica didn't win the trophy easily - they were followed by Rudar, who trailed by three points at the end of season. Additionally, Budućnost failed to beat Rudar during the season (0-2; 2-2; 1-1)

Sutjeska became the first club to win two consecutive titles of CFL champion - both times with Dragan Radojičić as head coach. The team from Nikšić won the title for seasons 2012–13 and 2013–14. Sutjeska headed to their first title with five points more than Budućnost, but secured the trophy on last week of the season.[13] During that season, Sutjeska for the first time in the First League played city derbies against Čelik (1-0; 0-3; 0-1), who placed third at the end of competition. Second trophy, Sutjeska won after the dramatic spring half-season and struggle with Lovćen. The title winner was decided a week before the end of season, after a draw between Sutjeska and Lovćen (1-1).[14] That was the first season on which Budućnost didn't finish in first or second position.

At the end of season 2014–15, Rudar[15] won the second title in the club's history. The team from Pljevlja won the race against title holders Sutjeska, who finished second. The team at the bottom of the table - Berane at the end of season had only 13 points with 78 goals conceded, which were negative records of Prva CFL at that time. After the relegation playoffs, Mogren were relegated to the Second League. This was the first time in history of Prva CFL that former champions were relegated.

The tenth edition of Prva CFL finished with a shock, as OFK Titograd from Podgorica won their first-ever national title.[16] During this era, OFK Titograd played under the name Mladost Podgorica. They won the champions' race against city rivals from Budućnost and during the season, OFK Titograd won all three games against them (3-1; 1-0; 2-0). After the last week, OFK Titograd had four points more than the second-placed team.

In the period from 2006 to 2016, FK Budućnost, FK Sutjeska, FK Rudar and FK Mogren won two champion titles, and FK Zeta and OFK Titograd one. During that time, 19 clubs participated in Prva CFL.

2016–present

FK Budućnost won their third champions' title on season 2016-17, but with equal number of points as Zeta and OFK Titograd. During the season, six points were deducted from FK Zeta because of irregularities,[17] so they weren't able to win the trophy. Week before the end of season, on Budućnost - OFK Titograd match, ultras of home team burned a part of north stand at Podgorica City Stadium, and the game was interrupted and registered with result 0–3.[18] But, that epilog did not have influence on final placement, as Budućnost finished on the top of the table, with better head-to-head score against OFK Titograd and Zeta.

Next season, FK Sutjeska won their third title.[19] Team from Nikšić dominated from the very beginning of championship and secured the trophy after 30 weeks. Except that, Sutjeska made a new league record with 11 games without conceded goal. They finished season with 22 points more than second-placed Budućnost.

Season 2018–19 started with the poorest performances of Montenegrin clubs in European competitions since independence. Four teams played 10 games in Champions league and Europa League qualifiers, but without any single win. During the season, FK Sutjeska and FK Budućnost have battle for champions' title and 100th Montenegrin Derby in Nikšić was followed by huge incidents after the game, with numerous wounded ultras and policemen.[20][21][22][23] Week before the end, FK Sutjeska won the title - fourth in team's history. At the same time, Nikola Rakojević became the first manager to win three titles. That was the second time in Prva CFL that one club retained the title - both times it did Sutjeska. During the same season, Mornar finished with 12 points and only one victory from 36 games, which is the all-time negative record in Prva CFL.

Season 2019–20 started with the title race between FK Budućnost and FK Sutjeska, but the championship was interrupted in March 2020, after 23 weeks, due to the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, FK Budućnost was a leader, with 11 points more than FK Sutjeska. Two months after that, Football Association of Montenegro decided that Prva CFL will be continued on 30 May and that the season will last until 28 July.[24] But, at the beginning of July, due to COVID-19 case among FK Budućnost players, Football Association of Montenegro decided to stop every official competition. Because of that, placement after 31 week was the final one.[25] Therefore, FK Budućnost became a new champion. The team from Podgorica secured the title before the final interruption, as they have 18 points more than second-placed squad. Except that, FK Sutjeska, FK Iskra and FK Zeta qualified for European competitions, too. Last-placed OFK Grbalj was directly relegated to Druga CFL and FK Kom after the playoff games against FK Jezero.[26]

FK Budućnost defended the trophy on season 2020-21 with 28 points more than second-placed FK Sutjeska. For the first time in teams' history, FK Dečić and FK Podgorica participated in European competition. From the other side, OFK Titograd was directly relegated, while FK Iskra and OFK Petrovac survived via playoffs.

After three years, FK Sutjeska won the new title on season 2021-22. FK Budućnost, which won previous two editions, finished as runner-up. Except them, FK Dečić and FK Iskra qualified for European competitions. Big battle for avoiding the relegation lasted until the final week and at the end, first champion of Montenegro, FK Zeta, directly went to Druga CFL, while FK Podgorica was relegated after the playoffs.

Changes in league structure

  • Number of teams:
    • 2006–07 to 2006–17: 12
    • Since 2017–18: 10
  • Number of teams relegated:
    • 2006–07 to 2016–17: 1 automatic plus the 10th and 11th placed team in the First League played a two-leg relegation matches against the second and third placed team of the Second League.
    • Since 2017–18: 1 automatic plus the 8th and 9th placed team in the First League plays a relegation matches against the second and third placed team of the Second League.

Rivalries

FK Budućnost supporters at Montenegrin Derby game

The main rivalry in the Montenegrin First League is between Budućnost and Sutjeska, often called the Montenegrin Derby. The first edition of the derby in official competitions was played at 1932,[27] and the two clubs have played derbies in the highest-tier competitions of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and in the Montenegrin First League.

Another traditional rivalry is between FK Budućnost and FK Lovćen Cetinje, because the two clubs have played important games since the 1920s. That rivalry is further fuelled by the fact that Budućnost is the major club from the capital Podgorica, while Lovćen is the main club from the former royal capital, Cetinje.

During the first two seasons of Montenegrin First League, there was a strong rivalry between Budućnost and Zeta. The two clubs from the territory of the Capital Podgorica were the main candidates for the title during the 2006-07 and 2007–08 seasons, and their match from the spring 2007 was attended by more than 10,000 spectators at Podgorica City Stadium. That is the highest attendance in the history of Montenegrin First League.

During the seasons of 2012-13 and 2013–14, there was a big local derby in Nikšić, between Sutjeska and Čelik. At that time, their matches were often attended by more than 7,000 supporters.

In the new period, there was a strong title races between Rudar and Budućnost or Sutjeska and Rudar.

Champions by season

Champions

Since its inception in the 2006–07 season, six clubs have won the title. As of the culmination of the 2020–21 season, Budućnost have won 5 titles, followed by Sutjeska with 4, while Rudar and Mogren each won 2. Only Budućnost and Sutjeska managed to retain their title in the following season; furthermore, Sutjeska managed to do so twice.

Key
† League champions also won the Montenegrin Cup.
Season Champions Runners up Third place
2006–07 Zeta (1) Budućnost Grbalj
2007–08 Budućnost (1) Zeta Mogren
2008–09 Mogren (1) Budućnost Sutjeska
2009–10 Rudar (1) Budućnost Mogren
2010–11 Mogren (2) Budućnost Rudar
2011–12 Budućnost (2) Rudar Zeta
2012–13 Sutjeska (1) Budućnost Čelik
2013–14 Sutjeska (2) Lovćen Čelik
2014–15 Rudar (2) Sutjeska Budućnost
2015–16 OFK Titograd (1) Budućnost Rudar
2016–17 Budućnost (3) Zeta OFK Titograd
2017–18 Sutjeska (3) Budućnost OFK Titograd
2018–19 Sutjeska (4) Budućnost Zeta
2019–20 Budućnost (4) Sutjeska Iskra
2020–21 Budućnost (5) Sutjeska Dečić
2021–22 Sutjeska (5) Budućnost Dečić
2022–23 Budućnost (6) Sutjeska Arsenal

Performance by club

Budućnost has won most titles, six in total; it is the only club which finished as a champion or runner-up more than 10 times. FK Lovćen is the only team which finished as a runner-up but never won any title.

Club City Champions Runners-up Winning years
FK Budućnost Podgorica
6
9
 2007–08, 2011–12, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23
FK Sutjeska Nikšić
5
4
 2012–13, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22
FK Rudar Pljevlja
2
1
 2009–10, 2014–15
FK Mogren Budva
2
-
 2008–09, 2010–11
FK Zeta Golubovci
1
2
 2006–07
OFK Titograd Podgorica
1
-
 2015–16
FK Lovćen Cetinje
-
1

Top scorers

Every season, the best scorer of Prva CFL is awarded with Radio Montenegro Trophy.

The most goals during a single season were scored by Ivan Bošković (28) during the season 2009–10. In two seasons, two players were joint top-scorers. Žarko Korać and Admir Adrović are the only players who were top-scorers in two seasons. The majority of top scorers during the single seasons were from Budućnost (4), followed by 3 which played for Sutjeska, OFK Titograd and Zeta.

Season Top scorer(s) Club Goals
2006–07 Montenegro Damir Čakar
Montenegro Žarko Korać		 Rudar
Zeta		 16
2007–08 Montenegro Ivan Jablan Lovćen 13
2008–09 Montenegro Fatos Bećiraj Budućnost 18
2009–10 Montenegro Ivan Bošković Grbalj 28
2010–11 Montenegro Ivan Vuković Budućnost 20
2011–12 Montenegro Admir Adrović Budućnost 22
2012–13 Montenegro Admir Adrović
Montenegro Žarko Korać		 Budućnost
Zeta		 15
2013–14 Montenegro Stefan Mugoša OFK Titograd 15
2014–15 Montenegro Goran Vujović Sutjeska 21
2015–16 Montenegro Marko Šćepanović OFK Titograd 19
2016–17 Montenegro Zoran Petrović OFK Titograd 14
2017–18 Montenegro Igor Ivanović Sutjeska 14
2018–19 Montenegro Nikola Krstović Zeta 17
2019–20 Montenegro Marko Ćetković Sutjeska 10
2020–21 Montenegro Božo Marković Sutjeska 16
2021–22 Montenegro Adnan Bašić Petrovac 14
2022–23 Netherlands Tyrone Conraad Sutjeska 26

Players and managers

Players

Appearances

Ivan Novović, with 440 appearances, is the most capped player in the history of the league.

Rank Player Club(s) Games First Last
1 Montenegro Ivan Novović Zeta, OFK Titograd, Dečić, Budućnost 440 2007–08 2022–23
2 Montenegro Miroje Jovanović OFK Titograd, Kom, Rudar, Iskra 420 2006–07 2020–21
3 Montenegro Milan Đurišić Budućnost, OFK Titograd, Lovćen, Iskra 418 2006–07 2021–22
4 Montenegro Miloš Lakić Kom, Petrovac, OFK Titograd, Lovćen, Iskra 399 2006–07 2020–21
5 Montenegro Draško Božović Budućnost, Mogren, OFK Titograd, Lovćen, Sutjeska, Rudar, Dečić 380 2006–07 2022–23
6 Montenegro Luka Mirković Lovćen, OFK Titograd, Budućnost 378 2008–09 2022–23

As of the end of 2022–23 season.
First = First season in Prva CFL; Last = Last season in Prva CFL
Sources:[28][29][30][10][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Goalscorers

Since the foundation of Prva CFL, most goals in competition scored Admir Adrović. Playing for six teams, he scored overall 110 goals. Below is a list of the 5 best all-time goalscorers.

Rank Player Club(s) Goals Games First Last
1 Montenegro Admir Adrović Berane, Sutjeska, Budućnost, OFK Titograd, Dečić, Podgorica 110 303 2006–07 2021–22
2 Montenegro Žarko Korać Zeta, Grbalj, Jedinstvo 103 190 2006–07 2022–23
3 Montenegro Ivan Vuković Budućnost, OFK Titograd, Grbalj, Iskra 95 287 2006–07 2021–22
4 Montenegro Božo Marković Sutjeska, OFK Titograd, Dečić, Mornar 83 291 2009–10 2022–23
5 Montenegro Ivan Jablan Petrovac, Lovćen, Grbalj 76 298 2006–07 2018–19

As of the end of 2022–23 season.
Clubs = Only Prva CFL teams for which every player scored at least one goal; First = Season of player's first goal in Prva CFL; Last = Season of player's last goal in Prva CFL
Sources:[28][29][30][10][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Goalkeepers

From the first edition of Prva CFL, many goalkeepers made runs without conceded goals during the three or more games. Below is the list of three biggest runs from 2006 to 2007 edition until now, classified by minutes without conceded goal.

Rank Goalkeeper Season Club Minutes
1 Montenegro Vladan Giljen 2017–18 Sutjeska 1019
2 Montenegro Mileta Radulović 2012–13 Grbalj 845
3 Montenegro Mladen Božović 2006–07 Budućnost 795

Managers

During the history, nine managers have won the title of Montenegrin First League champions. Among them, Nikola Rakojević won three titles. Dragan Radojičić and Dejan Vukićević did it twice. Rakojević and Radojičić are the managers which won more than one title with the same team (both with FK Sutjeska).

Manager Club(s) Wins Winning years
Montenegro Nikola Rakojević OFK Titograd, Sutjeska 3 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
Montenegro Dragan Radojičić Sutjeska 2 2012–13, 2013–14
Montenegro Dejan Vukićević Zeta, Mogren 2 2006–07, 2008–09
Serbia Mladen Milinković Budućnost 2 2019–20, 2020–21
Serbia Branko Babić Budućnost 1 2007–08
Montenegro Miodrag Radulović Budućnost 1 2011–12
Montenegro Miodrag Vukotić Budućnost 1 2016–17
Serbia Nebojša Vignjević Rudar 1 2009–10
Montenegro Mirko Marić Rudar 1 2014–15
Montenegro Branislav Milačić Mogren 1 2010–11
Montenegro Milija Savović Sutjeska 1 2021–22
Montenegro Miodrag Džudović Budućnost 1 2022–23

Awards

Every year, Football Association of Montenegro is organising awards ceremony for best player and best manager in Montenegrin First League. Best player and manager are chosen by coaches and captains of First League members.

All time tables

Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav First League (1946–2006)

In period from 1946 to 2006, Montenegrin clubs played in the First league of SFR Yugoslavia (1946–1992), FR Yugoslavia (1992–2001) and Serbia and Montenegro (2001–2006). Below is the list of all matches and seasons by every single club in the First league from 1946 until 2006.

Club Town Season First Last Pld W D L GD Pts
BudućnostPodgorica371946–472005–0611523862665001274:16251424
SutjeskaNikšić201964–652004–05671217136318776:1029787
ZetaGolubovci62000–012005–06188833471269:250283
RudarPljevlja61993–942002–03206664199217:277239
MogrenBudva51993–942002–03170443591171:289167
KomPodgorica12003–042003–0430422421:6714
JedinstvoBijelo Polje12005–062005–0630322518:7211

Prva CFL (2006–present)

Since its inauguration in 2006–07 season, 20 clubs have played in Montenegrin First League. Clubs that played all the seasons are Budućnost, Sutjeska, Rudar and Petrovac.

Rank
Club
Town
Ssn
First
Last
Pld
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1BudućnostPodgorica 172006–072022–23574337137100977:4741148
2SutjeskaNikšić 172006–072022–23574266155153790:529953
3RudarPljevlja 172006–072022–23574238138198695:602852
4ZetaGolubovci 162006–072021–22538221143174670:573805
5PetrovacPetrovac 172006–072022–23574170167227589:767677
6GrbaljRadanovići 142006–072019–20466165134167550:518629
7TitogradPodgorica 132006–072020–21436148120168488:516564
8DečićTuzi 132006–072022–23441128121192423:562505
9MogrenBudva 92006–072014–152971327393402:335469
10LovćenCetinje 112007–082018–1936612291153362:428457
11IskraDanilovgrad 82015–162022–232779281104289:321357
12MornarBar 92009–102022–233067973154269:451309
13KomPodgorica 62006–072019–20199505198178:273201
14BokeljKotor52007–082016–17 165493977154:202186
15JezeroPlav 42008–092022–23141453462135:180169
16JedinstvoBijelo Polje 52006–072022–23168384387149:275157
17PodgoricaPodgorica 32019–202021–22103313339111:126126
18ČelikNikšić 22012–132013–146630171988:63107
19BeraneBerane 42006–072014–15132262284110:229100
20ArsenalTivat 12022–232022–233613111239:5950
21BarBar 12010–112010–11337111530:4332
League or status for 2022–23 season
2022–23 Montenegrin First League
2022–23 Montenegrin Second League
2022–23 Montenegrin Third League
No longer exists

Ssn = Number of seasons; First = First season; Last = Last season; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points

Participants by season

Club070809101112131415161718192021222324
Arsenal ----------------3
Bar ----12------------
Berane 12--11-11--12--------
Bokelj -10---12--8410------
Budućnost 21222124321221121
Čelik ------33---------
Dečić 107119610-12-6510--334
Grbalj 344579475774610---
Iskra ---------1067538410
Jedinstvo 11-12---12---12-----5
Jezero --10-----------567
Kom 79812-------8-9---
Lovćen -67686926911-9----
Mogren 531314101011--------
Mornar ---1010-11111012--10--58
Petrovac 686895757119976976
Podgorica -------------549-
Rudar 45513256138587789
Sutjeska 8113711811254112212
Titograd 912--576941334810--
Zeta 12944388982634610-

Relegation and promotion

At the end of every season, the last placed team are relegated to the Montenegrin Second League, while the winner of Second League is promoted to highest-rank. Additionally, another two teams from First and Second League every season are participating in the playoffs.

Directly promoted and relegated teams

Below is the list of directly promoted and relegated teams by every single season. Relegated were last-placed teams in First League, while directly promoted teams were the champions of Montenegrin Second League.

Year Directly relegated Directly promoted
2007 FK Berane FK Lovćen
2008 FK Mladost Podgorica FK Jezero
2009 FK Jedinstvo FK Berane
2010 FK Kom FK Mladost Podgorica
2011 OFK Bar FK Bokelj
2012 FK Bokelj FK Čelik
2013 FK Jedinstvo FK Dečić
2014 FK Dečić FK Bokelj
2015 FK Berane FK Iskra
2016 FK Mornar FK Jedinstvo
2017 FK Jedinstvo FK Kom
2018 FK Dečić FK Mornar
2019 FK Mornar FK Podgorica
2020 OFK Grbalj FK Dečić
2021 OFK Titograd FK Mornar
2022 FK Zeta FK Jedinstvo
2023 FK Iskra OFK Mladost DG

Playoffs

Montenegrin First League playoffs is a two legs tournament between the teams from Montenegrin First League which above direct relegation, and the teams from Montenegrin Second League which below the direct promotion. Below is the list of playoffs participants by every single season.

† Playoffs winners.
Season First League Participants Second League Participants
2007 FK Dečić FK Jedinstvo FK Bokelj FK Ibar
2008 FK Sutjeska FK Bokelj FK Jedinstvo FK Čelik
2009 FK Dečić FK Jezero FK Mornar OFK Titograd
2010 FK Berane FK Mornar FK Bratstvo OFK Bar
2011 FK Sutjeska FK Mornar FK Berane FK Jedinstvo
2012 FK Dečić FK Berane FK Mornar FK Jedinstvo
2013 FK Mogren FK Mornar FK Bokelj FK Zabjelo
2014 FK Mogren FK Mornar FK Berane FK Jezero
2015 FK Mornar FK Mogren FK Dečić OFK Igalo
2016 FK Iskra OFK Petrovac FK Cetinje FK Bratstvo
2017 OFK Petrovac FK Rudar FK Otrant FK Ibar
2018 FK Kom OFK Petrovac FK Podgorica FK Lovćen
2019 FK Rudar FK Lovćen FK Kom FK Bokelj
2020 OFK Titograd FK Kom FK Jezero FK Bokelj
2021 FK Iskra OFK Petrovac FK Arsenal FK Igalo
2022 FK Rudar FK Podgorica FK Arsenal OFK Mladost DG
2023 FK Mornar FK Rudar FK Kom FK Berane

Records and statistics

Champions

Records by seasons

Runs

  • Longest unbeaten run: 23 matches, Budućnost, 22 September 2020 - 20 March 2021, season 2020–21
  • Longest run without win: 30 matches, OFK Titograd, 19 May 2007 - 3 May 2008, seasons 2006–07, 2007–08
  • Longest winning streak: 10 matches, Budućnost, 17 March 2012 - 9 May 2012, season 2011–12; Budućnost, 31 October 2020 - 17 December 2020, season 2020–21
  • Longest losing streak: 12 matches, Mornar, 17 March 2019 - 25 May 2019, season 2018–19
  • Longest run without conceded goal: 11 matches, Sutjeska, 16 September 2017 - 6 December 2017, season 2017–18
  • Longest run without scored goal: 11 matches, Kom, 30 September 2009 - 7 March 2010, season 2009–10
  • Longest run of goalless matches (0-0): 3 matches, Grbalj, 15 September 2012 - 6 October 2012, season 2012–13; Grbalj, 13 October 2012 - 10 November 2012, season 2012–13

Single game

Attendance

Attendance by season

Season Avg Overall M H CH CL
2006–07 1,178 229,800 195 10,000 Budućnost (2,470) Petrovac (477)
2007–08 1,064 205,400 193 9,000 Budućnost (4,250) OFK Titograd (281)
2008–09 1,101 216,850 197 6,000 Budućnost (4,117) Petrovac (364)
2009–10 1,105 215,550 195 8,000 Budućnost (2,623) Kom (297)
2010–11 851 167,600 197 4,000 Budućnost (2,058) Grbalj (335)
2011–12 873 169,350 194 5,000 Budućnost (2,607) Petrovac (276)
2012–13 871 165,400 190 7,000 Sutjeska (2,529) Petrovac (281)
2013–14 746 143,300 192 4,500 Sutjeska (2,230) Grbalj (313)
2014–15 656 127,150 194 4,000 Rudar (1,512) Mogren (256)
2015–16 693 137,150 198 4,000 Budućnost (1,195) Grbalj (288)
2016–17 883 171,300 194 5,000 Budućnost (2,015) Grbalj (354)
2017–18 707 123,800 175 4,000 Rudar (1,233) Grbalj (283)
2018–19 513 92,300 180 3,500 Budućnost (1,067) Mornar (206)
2019–20 580 66,700 115 3,000 Budućnost (1,050) Grbalj (259)
2020–21Without attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021–22 548[53] 98,600 180 3,000 Budućnost (1,056) Jezero (317)
2022–23 786 133,600 170 4,000 Budućnost (1,489) Jezero (427)

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

Current season (2023–24)

The 2023–24 Montenegrin First League is the 18th season of top-tier football in Montenegro. FK Budućnost are the defending champions. The season will begin in July 2023 and will end in May 2024. At the end of season, last-placed team will directly be relegated, and 9th and 8th club from the table will participate in playoffs.

The following 10 clubs compete in First League 2023–24.

Club
 City Founded Position
in 2022–23		 Seasons in
top division		 First season in
top division		 Stadium Floodlights
ArsenalTivat19143rd22022–23Stadion u parku (2,000)No
BudućnostPodgorica19251st551946–47Stadion pod Goricom (15,230)Yes
DečićTuzi19264th142006–07Stadion Tuško Polje (2,000)Yes
JedinstvoBijelo Polje19225th72005–06Gradski Stadion (4,000)Yes
JezeroPlav19347th52008–09Stadion Pod Racinom (2,500)No
Mladost DGPodgorica20191st in 2. CFL 12022–23DG Arena (4,300)Yes
MornarBar19238th102009–10Stadion Topolica (2,500)Yes
PetrovacPetrovac19696th182006–07Stadion pod Malim brdom (1,630)Yes
RudarPljevlja19209th241993–94Stadion pod Golubinjom (5,140)Yes
SutjeskaNikšić19202nd381964–65Stadion kraj Bistrice (5,214)Yes

Seasons in top division - including the season 2022-23.

Montenegrin clubs in European football competitions

History

Montenegrin football clubs have played in three UEFA competitions - the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup) and Intertoto Cup.

Champions of Montenegro have never played in the group-phase of UEFA Champions League, and the most successful in the qualifiers was FK Zeta Golubovci in the 2007–08 season and FK Sutjeska Nikšić in 2019–20.

FK Zeta had the best performances in the UEFA Europa League: reaching the playoffs, and OFK Titograd, FK Budućnost and FK Sutjeska which played in Round 3. The most successful in the Intertoto Cup was Budućnost, which was among the winners during the 1981 season.

Below is a table with Montenegrin clubs' scores in UEFA competitions.

Team Seasons G W D L GD Pts
FK Budućnost Podgorica
18
57
19
12
26
69:82
69
OFK Titograd
6
20
6
5
9
18:34
23
FK Zeta Golubovci
10
28
6
5
17
25:56
23
FK Sutjeska Nikšić
11
33
3
11
19
18:46
20
FK Mogren Budva
4
12
5
1
6
15:24
16
FK Rudar Pljevlja
8
20
3
5
12
13:33
14
OFK Grbalj Radanovići
2
6
1
2
3
8:10
5
FK Podgorica
1
2
1
0
1
1:3
3
OFK Petrovac
1
4
1
0
3
5:10
3
FK Čelik Nikšić
3
8
0
2
6
6:36
2
FK Dečić Tuzi
2
4
0
1
3
3:6
1
FK Bokelj Kotor
1
2
0
1
1
1:6
1
FK Lovćen Cetinje
1
2
0
1
1
0:1
1
FK Bokelj Kotor
1
2
0
1
1
1:6
1
OVERALL
200
45
47
108
183:353
182

As of the end of UEFA competitions 2022–23 season.

Except the official UEFA competitions, teams from Montenegro represented SFR Yugoslavia in the Balkans Cup, former regional football competition (1960-1994). 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.

UEFA rankings

UEFA Country Ranking for league participation in 2019–20 European football season (Previous year rank in italics)

Stadiums

Podgorica City Stadium (11,264)

Prva CFL has been played in 20 stadiums since its first edition. The biggest stadium, used by FK Budućnost, is Podgorica City Stadium. It is the only stadium whose capacity is more than 10,000 seats. There are four other stadiums with a capacity of more than 5,000 seats, while five stadiums meet UEFA criteria - Podgorica City Stadium, Stadium in Nikšić, Sveti Petar Cetinjski, DG Arena and Stadium in Petrovac. Below is the list of stadiums on which members of Prva CFL have played from season 2006-07 until now.

Logo and sponsorships

Official logo and equipment

Since establishment, the Montenegrin First League has had two official logos.

The first logo was presented in 2006. Rebranding of the league came in 2018, together with the new logos of the Montenegrin Cup, Montenegrin Second League and youth leagues.[54]

The official ball of the competition is produced under the Derbystar brand, while the official equipment of referees is a product of Legea.

Sponsorships

Name of the competition

Since foundation, the main sponsor of Montenegrin First League has been Montenegrin 'Telekom' which operates under the T-Com / T-Mobile brand. Since July 2022, the main sponsor of the First Montenegrin Football League is Meridianbet company.

Broadcasting rights

Since the foundation of the competition, official broadcaster of First Montenegrin League matches is the national television station of Montenegro - RTCG. Matches of 1. CFL are directly broadcasting at RTCG channel 2, with most important matches on satellite programming.

From season 2017–18, broadcaster of matches is regional group Arena Sport. Every weekend, one game is broadcast live on Arena Sport channel.[55]
Since season 2018–19, some games of Prva CFL are broadcast by cable-network channel MNE Sport TV.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Traume odrastanja crnogorskog fudbala". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "FUDBAL U CRNOJ GORI DO DRUGOG SVJETSKOG RATA (I): Lovćen – prvi fudbalski klub". Monitor.co.me. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "BARinfo - Naši klubovi drugačijeg imena". Barinfo.me. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  4. ↑ "Zeta prvi šampion Crne Gore". B92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  5. ↑ "Budućnost dobila, prekid u Beranama". B92.net.
  6. ↑ "FSCG: Zeta - Budućnost 0:3". B92.net.
  7. ↑ "Deset godina od istorijske titule Budućnosti". 17 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "T-Com 1. CFL (33. kolo) - Mogren šampion!". FSCG.me.
  9. ↑ "Rudar novi šampion Crne Gore". B92.net.
  10. 1 2 3 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2010. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "T-Com 1.CFL (33.kolo) - Mogren šampion!". FSCG.me.
  12. ↑ "Budućnost šampion!- Najnovije vijesti iz Pljevalja | - Najnovije vijesti iz Pljevalja". 26 May 2012.
  13. ↑ "Fešta kraj Bistrice: Sutjeska šampion prvi put u istoriji". Vijesti.me. 1 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "Remi Sutjeske i Lovćena, Nikšićani nadomak titule". Vijesti.me. 24 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Rudar šampion- Najnovije vijesti iz Pljevalja | - Najnovije vijesti iz Pljevalja". 30 May 2015.
  16. ↑ "CRNA GORA: Mladost šampion!". Sport Klub SR. 15 May 2016.
  17. ↑ Fudbal, C. G. (21 April 2017). "Vlaisavljević: Nije kažnjena Zeta, nego crnogorski reprezentativci • CG-Fudbal".
  18. ↑ "Prekinuto pod Goricom, Budućnost gubi titulu?". Vijesti.me. 20 May 2017.
  19. ↑ Vukotić, Danilo (21 April 2018). "Sutjeska novi šampion Crne Gore" [June the new Champion of Montenegro]. FSCG.me (in Croatian).
  20. ↑ "Uznemirujuće: Krvave glave kao epilog fudbalskog derbija u Nikšiću". Vijesti.me. 3 April 2019.
  21. ↑ "Ekskluzivno: Pogledajte kako je počeo incident u Nikšiću". 4 April 2019.
  22. ↑ "Sukob Varvara i policije, povrijeđeno šest policajaca". 3 April 2019.
  23. ↑ "Varvari: Policijaci su nam rekli da će nas sve u tamnicu poslati". 3 April 2019.
  24. ↑ "Saopštenje sa X sjednice Izvršnog odbora". FSCG.me.
  25. ↑ "Saopštenje Izvršnog odbora - 07.07.2020". FSCG.me.
  26. ↑ "Izvršni odbor FSCG odlučio: Završena sezona, trenutni plasman je i konačan | FOS Media".
  27. ↑ "1932-1933". Exyufudbal.in.rs. Archived from the original on 4 June 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  28. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2007. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  29. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2009. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  31. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  32. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  33. 1 2 "Almanah Fudbalskog Saveza Crne Gore 2012/2013" [Almanac of the Football Federation of Montenegro 2012/2013] (PDF) (in Bosnian). Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  34. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  35. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2015. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  36. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  37. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  38. 1 2 "Table" (PDF). fscg.me. 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  39. 1 2 "Vučinić i Vujović najbolji u CG". B92.net. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  40. 1 2 "FSCG: Vukićević, Vuković i Jovetić". B92.net. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  41. 1 2 "Mirko Vučinić fudbaler godine". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  42. ↑ "Bošković: Drago mi je da ljudi prepoznaju kvalitet". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  43. 1 2 "Vučinić, Igumanović i Bubanja". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  44. 1 2 "FSCG: Mirko Vučinić fudbaler godine". Portalanalitika.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  45. 1 2 "Baša: Najdraži trofej u karijeri". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  46. 1 2 "FSCG: Jovetić i Šćepanović najbolji u 2015. godini - FK Mladost". Fkmladost.me. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  47. 1 2 "FSCG izabrao: Savić ubjedljivo najbolji, Rakojević trener godine - fudbal - pvinformer.me". pvinformer.me. Archived from the original on 29 November 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  48. 1 2 "Stefan Savić najbolji fudbaler Crne Gore". fscg.me. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  49. 1 2 "Info". fscg.me. 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  50. 1 2 "Info". fscg.me. 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  51. ↑ "Radojičić: Potrudiću se da opravdam povjerenje". Vijesti.me. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
  52. ↑ "Portal Analitika - najvažnije vijesti iz Crne Gore i svijeta".
  53. ↑ Capacity reduced to third due to coronavirus pandemic
  54. ↑ "Predstavljeni amblemi fudbalskih takmičenja". FSCG.me (in Croatian). Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  55. ↑ "Mečevi CFL-a od subote na Areni sport?". Vijestime. Retrieved 17 September 2017.
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