RK Lovćen

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

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 men's 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[]

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
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Lovćen Cetinje 6 4 1 1 160 150 +10 9
Spain SDC San Antonio 6 4 0 2 170 155 +15 8
Norway IL Runar Sandefjord 6 2 0 4 151 165 −14 4
Czech Republic Banik Karvina 6 1 1 4 170 181 −11 3
Source:[citation needed]

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 - 11

  • Champion of FR Yugoslavia (2)
    • 2000, 2001.
  • Champion of Montenegro (9)
    • 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021

National Cups - 13

  • Winner of the FR Yugoslavia Cup (2)
    • 2002, 2003.
  • Winner of the Montenegrin Cup (11)
    • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021

European Cups

RK Lovćen in domestic and regional competitions[]

First League seasons[]

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.

Country Season Placement M W D L
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1988/89 6th 30 16 1 13
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1989/90 11th 30 13 1 16
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1990/91 15th 30 8 0 22
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1994/95 7th 28 12 3 13
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1995/96 12th 29 12 0 17
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1996/97 2nd 26 16 3 7
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1997/98 3rd * 26 16 5 6
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1998/99 2nd 21 16 1 4
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1999/00 1st 30 27 1 2
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2000/01 1st * 20 17 2 1
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2001/02 1st * 30 26 1 3
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2002/03 2nd 32 25 2 5
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2003/04 5th 18 9 1 8
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2004/05 7th 18 7 2 9
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 2005/06 3rd 10 5 2 3
Montenegro 2006/07 1st 20 18 1 1
Montenegro 2007/08 2nd 18 12 0 6
Montenegro 2008/09 2nd 28 23 0 5
Montenegro 2009/10 3rd 20 12 3 5
Montenegro 2010/11 2nd 18 13 2 3
Montenegro 2011/12 1st 20 18 1 1
Montenegro 2012/13 1st 18 18 0 0
Montenegro 2013/14 1st 18 17 0 1
Montenegro 1st 18 17 0 1
Montenegro 2nd 18 13 1 4
OVERALL 574 386 33 155

* 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.

Country Cup Season Host Final match Result
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2001/02
Vršac Lovćen Cetinje - Sintelon Bačka Palanka
19:18 (10:10)
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
2002/03
Belgrade Lovćen Cetinje - Partizan Belgrade
28:26 (13:11)
Montenegro
2008/09
Cetinje Lovćen Cetinje - Budućnost Podgorica
26:25 (13:12)
Montenegro
2009/10
Pljevlja Lovćen Cetinje - Sutjeska Nikšić
18:17 (10:10)
Montenegro
2010/11
Cetinje Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
31:25 (19:16)
Montenegro
2011/12
Cetinje Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
23:19 (10:12)
Montenegro
2012/13
Cetinje Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
28:22 (15:11)
Montenegro
2013/14
Danilovgrad Lovćen Cetinje - Danilovgrad
41:28 (21:12)
Montenegro
2014/15
Budva Lovćen Cetinje - Budvanska Rivijera
25:21 (13:12)

SEHA League seasons[]

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.

Season Placement M W D L
2011/2012 6th 21 12 0 9
2012/2013 6th 18 9 2 7
2013/2014 9th 18 3 2 13
OVERALL 57 24 4 29

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.

Competition Matches W D L GD
EHF Champions League 18 8 1 9 429:451
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 14 6 1 7 336:362
EHF Cup 25 6 1 18 660:731
EHF Challenge Cup 12 7 0 5 333:303
OVERALL 69 27 3 39 1758:1847

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
EHF Cup 1/16 Romania Minaur Baia Mare 25:20, 17:25
EHF Cities Cup 1/16 Bosnia and Herzegovina HRK Izviđač Ljubuški 41:20, 38:30
1/8 Denmark 29:20, 20:26
1/4 Norway Drammen HK 29:23, 24:32
EHF Cup 1/16 Czech Republic 34:23, 23:29
1/8 Turkey 32:24
1/4 Portugal ABC Braga 25:24, 21:26
2000/01 EHF Champions League Qual Austria 30:23, 30:16
Group Norway IL Runar 25:22, 28:23
Group Spain Portland San Antonio 25:24, 22:25
Group Czech Republic Baník Karviná 31:27, 29:29
1/4 Germany THW Kiel 29:24, 22:35
2001/02 EHF Champions League Group Denmark Kolding IF 23:28, 18:20
Group Portugal Sporting Lisbon CP 26:22, 0:10
Group Spain Portland San Antonio 24:28, 19:39
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Belarus 31:25, 24:18
1/8 Russia Energiya Voronezh 30:29, 20:29
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Bosnia and Herzegovina RK Sloga Doboj 29:27, 33:34
1/8 Turkey 18:21, 20:20
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Bosnia and Herzegovina RK Sloga Doboj 27:24, 22:27
EHF Challenge Cup 1/16 Montenegro RK Berane 26:19, 20:23
1/8 Bosnia and Herzegovina RK Borac Banja Luka 27:17, 23:30
1/4 Norway Drammen HK 29:26, 27:37
EHF Cup 1/16 Luxembourg HB Dudelange 30:30, 34:35
2008/09 EHF Cup 1/32 Faroe Islands Neistin Tórshavn 35:21, 32:33
1/16 Portugal Benfica 28:26, 23:24
1/8 Slovenia RK Gorenje Velenje 28:33, 16:35
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 France Tremblay-en-France Handball 27:24, 20:33
2010/11 EHF Cup 1/16 Portugal Xico Andebol 25:26, 32:33
EHF Cup Winners' Cup 1/16 Portugal Benfica 21:25, 14:26
2012/13 EHF Champions League Group Bosnia and Herzegovina RK Sloga Doboj 23:25
Group Portugal FC Porto 25:31
EHF Cup 1/32 Denmark Kolding IF 31:32, 17:34
2013/14 EHF Cup 1/32 Israel Maccabi Tel Aviv 35:37, 29:30
2014/15 EHF Cup 1/32 Switzerland 22:30, 25:37
2015/16 EHF Cup 1/32 Netherlands 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 Austria 2 2 0 0 60:39
Belarus Belarus 2 2 0 0 55:43
Bosnia and Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina 9 5 0 4 273:234
Czech Republic Czech Republic 4 2 1 1 117:108
Denmark Denmark 6 1 0 5 138:160
Faroe Islands Faroe Islands 2 1 0 1 67:54
France France 2 1 0 1 47:57
Germany Germany 2 1 0 1 51:59
Israel Israel 2 0 0 2 64:65
Luxembourg Luxembourg 2 0 1 1 64:67
Montenegro Montenegro 2 1 0 1 46:42
Netherlands Netherlands 2 0 0 2 41:64
Norway Norway 6 4 0 2 162:163
Portugal Portugal 11 3 0 8 240:273
Romania Romania 2 1 0 1 42:45
Russia Russia 2 1 0 1 50:58
Slovenia Slovenia 2 0 0 2 44:68
Spain Spain 4 1 0 3 90:116
Switzerland Switzerland 2 0 0 2 47:67
Turkey 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: Montenegro
Official kit supplier: Legea
Sponsors: Prijestonica Cetinje / Old Royal Capital Cetinje (city government), Lovćen Osiguranje / Lovćen Insurance

Notable former players[]

Notable coaches[]

See also[]

External links[]

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