Montenegrin Second League

Summary

The Montenegrin Second League (Montenegrin: Druga crnogorska fudbalska ligaDruga CFL2. CFL) is the second-top football league in Montenegro. It is headed by the Football Association of Montenegro. Second Montenegrin League consists of 10 participants. The top team qualifies for the First League of Montenegro, the second and third one contest in a playoff match against the 8th and 9th team from the First League, while the bottom-placed two teams are relegated to any of the three third-tier leagues, to be replaced by the two winners of a three-way promotion playoffs, contested by the winners of the three Third League divisions.

Montenegrin Second League
Official logo
Founded2006
Country Montenegro
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toMontenegrin First League
Relegation toMontenegrin Third League
Domestic cup(s)Montenegrin Cup
Current championsMladost DG (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsBokelj, Dečić, Jedinstvo,
Mornar (2 titles)
TV partnersMNE Sport TV
Websitehttp://fscg.me
Current: 2023–24 season

History edit

Before independence edit

During the existence of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, from 1947 to 2006, Montenegrin clubs played in federal leagues. Among them, as a second-tier competitions, were Yugoslav Second League (1947–1992), Second League of FR Yugoslavia (1992–2001) and Second League of Serbia and Montenegro (2001–2006).
Overall, 25 different Montenegrin teams played in Yugoslav Second League from 1947 to 2006. Most seasons in second-tier spent FK Sutjeska (30), followed by FK Lovćen (27) and OFK Titograd (24).

After independence edit

Following Montenegrin independence referendum (2006), Football Association of Montenegro established their own competitions – First League, Second League and Third League.

2006–16 edit

On inaugural season 2006–07, members of Second League became three teams from Serbia and Montenegro Second League previous season and nine from third-tier competition (Montenegrin Republic League).
Winner of the first season was Lovćen who won the title after the hard struggle with Ibar and Bokelj. Notable game from the season, Ibar – Lovćen (0:1), played in front od 4,000 spectators, finished with crowd disturbances. At the end of the season, Lovćen gained directly promotion to Prva CFL, while Bokelj won the playoff games against Jedinstvo. Ibar didn't succeed to gain promotion to Prva CFL.
Next year, the title and directly promotion to highest rank surprisingly gained FK Jezero, with four points more than Čelik. In the First League playoffs, Čelik didn't succeed against their city rivals from Sutjeska in two games which watched 17,000 spectators overall (0:0, 0:1). But, third-placed FK Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje made success in playoff games against Bokelj (1:0, 0:0) and made a comeback to First League.
Second League winner for season 2008–09 was Berane, while in the playoffs participated OFK Titograd and Mornar. OFK Titograd lost against FK Dečić, but Mornar made historical success with their first-ever promotion to Prva CFL after the games against Jezero (2:1, 0:0). During the season 2008–09, Otrant scored 12 goals on the match against Ribnica (12:2), which is the all-time record in Montenegrin Second League.
Title for 2009–10 season won OFK Titograd, who made comeback to First League after two seasons. Second-placed OFK Bar made a surprisingly success in playoffs against Berane after the penalties and made their first and last promotion to Prva CFL. Third-placed Bratstvo from Podgorica outskirts lost in playoffs against another team from BarMornar (0:1, 1:2).
Bokelj dominated on season 2010–11, finishing first with 24 points more than second-placed team. After the playoff games, promotion to First League gained Berane, too, while Jedinstvo, which won the second-place, remained in Second League after unsuccessful playoff performances against Sutjeska.
Next year, Second League title won Čelik from Nikšić, with score of 80 points. Except first-ever promotion to the First League in their history, Čelik made notable success in 2011–12 Montenegrin Cup during the same season. They became the first member of Second League which played in the finals and won the national Cup. In final game, played in Podgorica City Stadium, Čelik defeated First-League side Rudar – 2:1. Except that, for the first and so far last time in the history, both representatives of Second League won their games in First League payoffs. Second-placed Mornar eliminated Berane (2:1, 3:0), while third-placed Jedinstvo won against Dečić (0:0, 1:0). So, after the season 2011–12, three teams from Second League moved to First League.
Former elite-member Dečić won the title on season 2012–13 and made a comeback to Prva CFL. Second and third placed Bokelj and Zabjelo lost their games in the playoffs, so only Dečić made a promotion to highest rank. At the beginning of the season, OFK Bar withdraw due to financial difficulties, so the championship had 11 members.
After the edition 2013–14, Bokelj and Berane became a members of Prva CFL – Bokelj as title winner and Berane after the playoff games. During that season, on game ZabjeloZora (5–0), player Bojan Kopitović scored five goals, which is the all-time record in Montenegrin Second League.
On season 2014–15, title race between Iskra and Dečić lasted until the end of championship. With two points more than their main opponents, Iskra finished first and made their first-ever promotion to the highest-level competition. But, Dečić gained promotion to Prva CFL too, after the playoff games against former national champions Mogren (2–1; 5–0).
Next year, Jedinstvo became a champion. They won the title race with biggest surprise of championship – Cetinje, while the third finished Bratstvo. But, only Jedinstvo gained promotion. Performances of Cetinje and Bratstvo in playoffs were unsuccessful. That season had 11 members, because Mogren withdraw due to financial troubles before the start of competition.

2016– edit

On season 2016–17, Kom secured a promotion to Prva CFL after seven years spent in lowest-level competitions. Team from Podgorica outskirts won the first place, while Ibar and Otrant finished second and third, but without promotion.
Montenegrin Second League 2017–18 finished with success of Mornar who won the first place and direct place in Prva CFL 2018–19. Third-placed Lovćen gained promotion after the playoffs against First-League side Kom (1–0; 0–0), while the newcomer in Second League FK Podgorica, who finished second, lost their playoff games. During the same season, last-placed Čelik made few negative-records at that time. Team which once won the Montenegrin Cup and played in UEFA Europa League finished season with only 8 points, 2 wins, 28 losses, longest run without win (20 games) and one of highest loses in the history of Second League (Bokelj – Čelik 10–0).
Next year, four weeks before the end of competition, FK Podgorica secured the title and their first ever promotion to the top flight. At the same time, Kom and Bokelj, as a second and third placed, participated in the playoffs for First League. As a two last placed teams, Igalo and Berane were relegated to Montenegrin Third League.
Season 2019–20 was interrupted after 30 weeks, due to the coronavirus pandemic.[1] Therefore, Dečić, who had 10 points more than second-placed Jezero, gained direct promotion to Prva CFL. As Football Association of Montenegro decided, runner-up and third-placed squad at the moment of disruption (Jezero and Bokelj), participated in the playoffs for Prva CFL. While FK Jezero gained promotion to Prva CFL, FK Bokelj was eliminated after the penalties against OFK Titograd.[2] From the other side, two worst-placed teams (Lovćen and Otrant) were relegated. That was the first time in the history when FK Lovćen, the oldest Montenegrin club, went to the bottom-tier. Except that, team from Cetinje was relegated to Montenegrin Third League only one year after they played in Prva CFL and in the final game of Montenegrin Cup.
Mornar won the title on season 2020–21 and secured comeback to top-tier after two consecutive seasons in Second League. Second and third placed Arsenal and Igalo didn't succeed to gain promotion via playoffs, as they were defeated against Iskra and OFK Petrovac. Two last-placed teams – Ibar and Drezga were relegated to Third League, both after two consecutive seasons spent in second-tier. During the season, Mornar made one of the all-time biggest victories in the history of competition, against Drezga (10–0).

Relegation and promotion edit

At the end of every season, champion of Second League is directly promoted to First League, while last placed member of First League is moving to second-tier competition. Except that, second and third placed teams from Second League are participating in First League playoffs. Their opponents are 8th and 9th team from the First League.
From the other side, two last placed teams are directly relegated to Montenegrin Third League. At the end of the season, winners of three Third League groups are participating in playoffs for Second League promotion. Two best placed teams from playoffs are gaining promotion to Montenegrin Second League.

Changes in league structure edit

In period 2006–2018, Montenegrin Second League consisted of 12 participants. From 2018 to 2019 season, the number of participants is reduced to 10, with 36 week-long competition.

  • Number of teams:
    • 2006–07 to 2007–18: 12
    • Since 2018–19: 10

Champions and top goalscorers by season edit

Champions edit

From season 2006–07, 12 different clubs won the title in Montenegrin Second League. Jedinstvo, FK Bokelj and FK Dečić are the clubs which had won the title twice.

Promoted to Prva CFL directly or via playoffs
Season Champions Runners up Third place
2006–07 Lovćen Bokelj Ibar
2007–08 Jezero Čelik Jedinstvo
2008–09 Berane Titograd Mornar
2009–10 Titograd Bar Bratstvo
2010–11 Bokelj Berane Jedinstvo
2011–12 Čelik Mornar Jedinstvo
2012–13 Dečić Bokelj Zabjelo
2013–14 Bokelj Berane Jezero
2014–15 Iskra Dečić Igalo
2015–16 Jedinstvo Cetinje Bratstvo
2016–17 Kom Ibar Otrant
2017–18 Mornar Podgorica Lovćen
2018–19 Podgorica Kom Bokelj
2019–20 Dečić Jezero Bokelj
2020–21 Mornar Arsenal Igalo
2021–22 Jedinstvo Arsenal OFK Mladost
2022–23 OFK Mladost Kom Berane

Top scorers edit

During the history, the biggest number of goals during the single season scored FK Podgorica's attacker Elie Matuoke (23), during the season 2017–18. Until now, he is the only foreign player to become a topscorer in any of two highest Montenegrin football leagues.

Season Top scorer(s) Club Goals
2009–10   Darko Nikač OFK Titograd 20
2010–11   Vladan Radović Berane 13
2011–12   Damir Alković Zabjelo 22
2012–13   Vule Vujačić Dečić 18
2013–14   Miloš Rašović Zabjelo 16
2014–15   Sava Gardašević Dečić 19
2015–16   Danin Talović Jezero 12
2016–17   Stefan Milošević Kom 20
2017–18   Elie Matuoke Podgorica 23
2018–19   Dejan Pepić Bokelj 16
2019–20   Siniša Stanisavić Ibar 14
2020–21   Nikola Globarević
  Nino Vukmarković
Berane
Mornar
15
2021–22   Žarko Korać
  Igor Vukčević
Jedinstvo
Kom
17
2022–23   Željko Krstović Mladost DG 11

All time table edit

Overall edit

Montenegrin Second League is existing as a competition under the national football association of Montenegro from the season 2006–07. Overall, 34 different clubs participated in the Montenegrin Second League. FK Ibar and FK Jezero are the teams which played the biggest number of seasons in Second League.
Below is the list of all matches and seasons by every single club in Montenegrin Second League from 2006 until now. For the previous period and Montenegrin clubs which participated in the Yugoslav Second League, see Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav football competitions (1946–2006).

Club Town Ssn First Last Pld W D L GD Pts
Bokelj Kotor 12 2006–07 2022–23 398 187 120 91 552:296 681
Jedinstvo Bijelo Polje 12 2007–08 2021–22 399 175 108 116 508:354 633
Ibar Rožaje 14 2006–07 2020–21 453 167 112 174 500:525 613
Jezero Plav 13 2006–07 2020–21 420 153 109 158 439:474 568
Berane Berane 12 2007–08 2022–23 395 162 82 151 525:502 564
Kom Podgorica 10 2010–11 2022–23 332 135 85 112 416:359 490
Igalo Igalo 10 2011–12 2022–23 362 127 101 134 406:372 482
Bratstvo Cijevna 11 2006–07 2016–17 354 126 84 144 417:443 462
Arsenal Tivat 10 2006–07 2021–22 333 119 91 123 361:379 448
Zabjelo Podgorica 9 2006–07 2014–15 294 102 79 113 345:366 385
Mornar Bar 7 2006–07 2020–21 228 106 65 57 306:192 383
Otrant Ulcinj 9 2007–08 2022–23 283 99 78 116 347:370 375
Čelik Nikšić 8 2006–07 2017–18 261 96 47 118 292:352 335
Dečić Tuzi 4 2012–13 2019–20 129 71 29 29 205:119 241
Cetinje Cetinje 6 2013–14 2021–22 195 57 32 106 186:335 203
Iskra Danilovgrad 4 2010–11 2014–15 129 48 29 52 149:170 173
Podgorica Podgorica 3 2017–18 2022–23 91 49 25 27 154:100 172
Titograd Podgorica 3 2008–09 2021–22 102 47 19 36 168:122 160
Lovćen Cetinje 3 2006–07 2019–20 96 44 27 25 136:95 159
Crvena Stijena Podgorica 4 2006–07 2009–10 132 40 35 57 108:147 155
OFK Mladost Podgorica 2 2021–22 2022–23 68 33 17 18 89:74 116
Zora Spuž 3 2006–07 2013–14 96 31 20 45 92:119 113
Grbalj Radanovići 3 2020–21 2022–23 94 28 17 49 95:130 111
Radnički Berane 3 2014–15 2016–17 93 28 23 42 118:141 107
Bar Bar 2 2009–10 2011–12 66 30 15 21 84:64 105
Gusinje Gusinje 3 2006–07 2009–10 99 22 26 51 74:154 92
Drezga Piperi 2 2019–20 2020–21 66 15 14 37 61:124 58
Grafičar Podgorica 1 2015–16 2015–16 30 10 4 16 37:41 34
Zeta Golubovci 1 2022–23 2022–23 32 9 7 16 30:44 34
Brskovo Mojkovac 1 2015–16 2015–16 30 5 14 11 23:35 29
Pljevlja Pljevlja 1 2010–11 2010–11 33 5 10 18 26:50 25
Tekstilac Bijelo Polje 1 2007–08 2007–08 33 6 6 21 20:58 24
Petnjica Petnjica 1 2011–12 2011–12 33 3 3 27 15:78 12
Ribnica Podgorica 1 2008–09 2008–09 33 2 4 27 16:82 10
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; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points;

Participants by season edit

Club 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Arsenal 5 9 11 10 5 12 5 6 2 2
Bar 2 8
Berane 4 1 3 7 2 5 6 6 10 7 7 3
Bokelj 2 6 4 1 2 1 4 3 3 5 4 4
Bratstvo 7 7 7 3 4 5 4 11 10 3 11
Brskovo 11
Cetinje 7 7 2 7 11 10
Crvena Stijena 8 8 8 11
Čelik 10 2 10 8 8 1 9 12
Dečić 1 2 8 1
Drezga 8 10
Grafičar 7
Grbalj 8 8 6
Gusinje 6 11 12
Ibar 3 5 5 9 7 10 8 10 9 8 2 10 5 9
Igalo 6 5 9 3 9 8 8 9 3 6 8
Iskra 5 9 11 1
Jedinstvo 3 6 2 3 8 5 1 7 6 4 6 1
Jezero 9 1 7 9 7 6 3 8 10 5 9 7 2
Kom 6 11 6 6 6 1 2 4 5 2
Lovćen 1 3 9
Mornar 11 3 2 4 1 7 1
OFK Mladost 3 1
Otrant 10 4 10 11 3 5 4 10 7
Petnjica 12
Pljevlja 12
Podgorica 2 1 5
Radnički 4 4 10
Ribnica 12
Tekstilac 12
Titograd 2 1 9
Zabjelo 4 6 9 5 10 4 3 12 11
Zeta 9
Zora 12 9 4

Records and statistics edit

Records by seasons edit

Runs edit

  • Longest unbeaten run: 23 matches, Čelik, 18.09.2011 – 09.05.2012, season 2011–12
  • Longest run without win: 24 matches, Berane, 22.08.2018 – 03.04.2019, season 2018–19
  • Longest winning streak: 10 matches, Čelik, 13.11.2011 – 15.04.2012, season 2011–12
  • Longest losing streak: 14 matches, Ribnica, 15.03.2009 – 30.05.2009, season 2008–09
  • Longest run without conceded goal: 13 matches, Mornar, 07.03.2018 – 16.05.2018, season 2017–18
  • Longest run without scored goal: 7 matches, Berane, 14.10.2018 – 02.12.2018, season 2018–19
  • Longest run of goalless matches (0:0): 4 matches, Mornar, 13.08.2017 – 03.19.2017, season 2017–18

Single game edit

Attendance by season edit

Season Avg Overall M H CH CL
2006–07 485 94,620 195 4,000 Ibar (1,524) Bratstvo (128)
2007–08 579 113,550 196 3,000 Jezero (1,935) Bratstvo (144)
2008–09 331 65,500 198 2,000 Ibar (765) Bratstvo (128)
2009–10 356 70,450 198 1,500 Jezero (738) Zabjelo (166)
2010–11 507 98,950 195 2,000 Ibar (1,207) Zabjelo (163)
2011–12 367 71,650 195 2,000 Čelik (729) Bratstvo (159)
2012–13 319 52,600 165 1,500 Jezero (647) Iskra (153)
2013–14 359 71,150 198 2,500 Jezero (818) Bratstvo (141)
2014–15 360 68,350 190 2,500 Iskra (912) Cetinje (147)
2015–16 364 60,050 165 2,000 Jezero (733) Bratstvo (83)
2016–17 347 56,950 164 2,000 Ibar (1,050) Bratstvo (75)
2017–18 312 59,200 190 1,500 Jedinstvo (468) Čelik (93)
2018–19 317 56,150 177 1,000 Jedinstvo (406) Igalo (139)
2019–20 359 36,550 102 1,500 Dečić (736) Drezga (164)
2020–21 Without attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021–22 301[3] 53,250 177 4,000 Jedinstvo (947) Cetinje (125)

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 clubs (2023–24) edit

The 2023–24 Montenegrin Second League is the 18th season of second-tier football competition in Montenegro. The season started in August 2023 and will end in May 2024.
The following 10 clubs compete in Second League 2023–24.[4]

Club
City Finishing
in 2022–23
Stadium Floodlights
FK Berane Berane 3rd Berane City Stadium (6,500) Yes
FK Bokelj Kotor 4th Stadion Pod Vrmcem (1,000) Yes
OFK Grbalj Radanovići 6th Stadion Donja Sutvara (1,500) No
OFK Igalo Igalo 8th Stadion Solila (1,600) No
FK Internacional Podgorica 1st in Third League – Center   Stadion Donji Kokoti (1,000) No
FK Iskra Danilovgrad 10th in First League   Braća Velašević Stadium (2,500) Yes
FK Kom Podgorica 2nd Stadion Zlatica (1,200) Yes
FK Lovćen Cetinje 1st in Third League – South   Stadion Sveti Petar Cetinjski (5,192) No
FK Otrant-Olympic Ulcinj 7th Stadion Olympic (1,500) No
FK Podgorica Podgorica 5th DG Arena (4,300) Yes

Grounds edit

Since establishing (season 2006–07), Montenegrin Second League matches has been played in 26 different stadiums. Biggest stadium, used by FK Berane and FK Radnički, is Berane City Stadium. Except that, there was only two stadiums with more than 5,000 seats which hosted Second League games – Sveti Petar Cetinjski and Pljevlja City Stadium. Below is the list of stadiums on which played members of Second League from season 2006–07 until now.

Second League stadiums by seating capacity
Stadium Club(s) City Opened Capacity
1 Berane City Stadium FK Berane, FK Radnički Berane 1981 6,500
2 Sveti Petar Cetinjski FK Lovćen, FK Cetinje Cetinje 2021 5,192
3 Pljevlja City Stadium FK Pljevlja Pljevlja 1946 5,140
4 DG Arena FK Podgorica, OFK Mladost DG Podgorica 2018 4,300
5 Bijelo Polje City Stadium FK Jedinstvo, FK Tekstilac Bijelo Polje 2005 4,000
6 Bandžovo Brdo FK Ibar Rožaje 1946 3,000
7 Topolica FK Mornar, OFK Bar Bar 1980 2,500
8 Braća Velašević FK Iskra Danilovgrad 1947 2,500
9 Pod Racinom FK Jezero Plav 1948 2,500
10 Stadion u Parku FK Arsenal Tivat 1945 2,000
11 Tuško Polje FK Dečić Tuzi 2006 2,000
12 Željezara Stadium FK Čelik Nikšić 1957 2,000
13 Gusinje City Stadium FK Gusinje Gusinje 1996 2,000
14 Spuž City Stadium FK Zora, FK Drezga Spuž 1955 1,700
15 Solila FK Igalo Igalo 1995 1,600
16 Mojkovac City Stadium FK Brskovo Mojkovac 2009 1,500
17 Stadion Olympic FK Otrant Ulcinj 1975 1,500
18 Mladost Stadium OFK Titograd Podgorica 2007 1,250
19 Zlatica FK Kom Podgorica 2006 1,200
20 Camp FSCG Stadium FK Grafičar Podgorica 2007 1,050
21 Pod Vrmcem FK Bokelj Kotor 1922 1,000
22 Tološi Stadium FK Crvena Stijena Podgorica 1964 1,000
23 Gusare FK Petnjica Petnjica 1977 1,000
24 Konik Stadium / former FK Ribnica Podgorica 1974 750
25 Zabjelo Stadium FK Zabjelo Podgorica 1973 750
26 Ljajkovići FK Bratstvo Zeta 2007 300

Logo and broadcasting edit

Official logo and equipment edit

Logo of Montenegrin Second League was presented in 2018, together with the new logos of Montenegrin First League, Montenegrin Cup and youth leagues.[5]
Official ball of competition is produced under the Derbystar brand, while the official equipment of referees is product of Legea.

Broadcasting rights edit

Since foundation of the competition, official broadcaster of Second Montenegrin League matches is national television of Montenegro – RTCG.
From season 2018–19, broadcaster of matches is cable-network channel MNE Sport TV. Every weekend, one game is broadcast on their channels.[6]

See also edit

External links and references edit

  • Football Association of Montenegro – Official Site
  • RSSSF Montenegro Second League
  1. ^ "Saopštenje Izvršnog odbora – 07.07.2020".
  2. ^ https://fosmedia.me/sport/fudbal/izvrsni-odbor-fscg-odlucio-zavresena-sezone-trenutni-plasman-je-i-konacni[bare URL]
  3. ^ Capacity reduced to third due to coronavirus pandemic
  4. ^ "2. CFL".
  5. ^ "Predstavljeni amblemi fudbalskih takmičenja".
  6. ^ "Mne sport TV - Naslovna". mnesport.tv.