FK Sutjeska Nikšić

FK Sutjeska
Full name Fudbalski klub Sutjeska (Sutjeska Football Club)
Nickname(s) Plavo-bijeli (The Blue-Whites),
Plavi (The Blues)
Founded 1920 (94 years ago)
Ground City stadium “Kraj Bistrice”
Nikšić, Montenegro
Capacity 5,214[1]
President Ranko Jovović
Manager Brajan Nenezić
League Telekom 1. CFL
2013-14 1st (Champions)
Website Club home page
Active sport clubs of Sutjeska
Football Basketball Volleyball
Handball Athletics Shooting
Judo Handball Women Boxing
Tennis

FK Sutjeska is a football club from Nikšić, Montenegro, currently competing in the Telekom 1. CFL. Its colours are blue and white. FK Sutjeska is a part of the Sutjeska sport society based in the same city. As seen on the logo, the club was established in 1920.

History

The first name of the club upon its establishment was SK Obilić, but in 1927 changed its name to SK Hajduk. Later though (before World War II began), the club changed its name to SK Hercegovac. As the Second World War raged in the territories of Yugoslavia, the club's name was changed in 1945 to Sutjeska in honour of Yugoslav communists killed in the Battle of Sutjeska.

Sutjeska made its debut in the Yugoslav First League in the 1964 season. It is one of only two football clubs from Montenegro who competed in the first tier football league of Yugoslavia. As a result, FK Sutjeska gained considerable prestige and international reputation, and therefore remains one of the biggest sporting institutions in Montenegro. It is especially the most recognized sports organization in the city of Nikšić.[2]

Even after the breakup of SFR Yugoslavia, Sutjeska remained at the top football league in subsequent-state FR Yugoslavia. After a great season in 2003, Sutjeska had a notable appearance in European competition in which they eliminated Racing FC Union Luxembourg in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.[3] Following Montenegrin independence, the team made the final of the Montenegrin Cup. The club finished in third place of the T-Com 1. CFL in the 2008-09 season and participated in the qualification rounds for the UEFA Europa League, where they were eliminated by FC Partizan Minsk from Belarus.[4]

On June 1, 2013, after winning against FK Lovćen on the final day of the season, Sutjeska lifted five points clear of challengers FK Budućnost and won the Telekom 1. CFL title for the first time in club history and participated in qualifying for UEFA Champions League 2013-14.[5] In the second qualifying round, against Moldavian champion FC Sheriff, Sutjeska has won a great tie in Tiraspol, but at home not withstand tremendous pressure and was defeated.

In the 2013-14 season, the second time in a row, Sutjeska won title, becoming the first club from the founding of the League where it is managed, participated in second qualifying round for UEFA Champions League 2014-15 and again failed against FC Sheriff.

Honours

Telekom 1. CFL

Youth program

Mirko Vučinić began his career at Sutjeska.

Sutjeska's youth academy is one of the most famous and recognized in Montenegro along with that of FK Budućnost. The first Sutjeska player to have been selected for the Yugoslav national team was Vojin Lazarević, who would later have a bright career with Red Star Belgrade. Lazarević was capped by the Yugoslav senior side in a friendly match against Romania in 1964 while still playing in Nikšić.[6]

In 1976, a notably talented generation of the youth team became the champions of Yugoslavia; the team included named that would later turn to be successful soccer players like Brajan Nenezić, Mojaš Radonjić, and Pero Giljen. Interestingly, Pero's own son Vladan Giljen became a successful goalkeeper after learning his trade in Sutjeska. Four years after the famed 1976 generation made its first mark in Yugoslav football, Sutjeska won the Yugoslav Cup in 1980 – becoming the only Yugoslav club at the time to have won both trophies.

In 2010, Sutjeska's cadet team (for under-17 players) were champions of Montenegro in the country's U-17 league. During the same year, Sutjeska's U-19 team won the Gallipolli Cup in Italy, which one of the most prestigious international tournaments for players of this age group. The U-19 teams of U.S. Lecce, A.S. Bari, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and FC Krylia Sovetov Samara all competed for the title which Sutjeska's youth team won.

Most notably, Sutjeska was the club in which the famous Juventus F.C. former striker Mirko Vučinić began his career.[7]

Sutjeska in Europe

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2003 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Luxembourg Racing FC 3–0 1–1 4–1
2R Finland Tampere United 0–0 0–1 0–1
2009–10 UEFA Europa League 1Q Belarus FC Partizan Minsk 1–1 1–2(aet) 2–3
2013–14 UEFA Champions League 2Q Moldova FC Sheriff 0–5 1–1 1–6
2014–15 UEFA Champions League 2Q Moldova FC Sheriff 0–3 0–2 0–5
Notes

UEFA ranking

As of 22 August 2014
Rank Team Points
329Hungary Diósgyőri VTK3.175
330Hungary Ferencvárosi TC3.175
331Republic of Macedonia FK Vardar3.175
332Hungary Budapest Honvéd FC3.175
333Hungary Paksi SE3.175
334Montenegro FK Sutjeska3.125
335Serbia FK Čukarički3.125
336Montenegro FK Zeta3.125
337Serbia FK Rad3.125
338Latvia Skonto FC3.100
339Latvia FK Liepājas Metalurgs3.100

Stadium

City stadium “Kraj Bistrice” boasts a capacity 5,214 seats. The grass surface is non-artificial and is surrounded by an athletic track. Located around the building is a spacious parking lot. The sports complex adjacent to the stadium is a modern training field with synthetic surface and a mini auditorium space.

The Dukes (fans)

The Dukes (Vojvode) is popular name for the most ardent Sutjeska fans. They have been established as an NGO in 1988 in Nikšić and today constitute one of the most numerous group of supporters in Montenegro. Their place is in the eastern stand, and is traditionally followed by all the matches of all sports that compete under the “Sutjeska” name, both home and away matches. The biggest Sutjeska rival is FK Budućnost Podgorica, as the "Barbarians" (Varvari) are considered to be their biggest competition.

Current squad

As of 19 March 2015

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Montenegro GK Suad Ličina
3 Montenegro DF Dejan Ognjanović
4 Serbia MF Stefan Stefanović
8 Serbia MF Stevan Kovačević
9 Montenegro MF Blažo Igumanović
10 Montenegro MF Vladimir Jovović (vice-captain)
14 Montenegro MF Jovan Nikolić (captain)
15 Montenegro DF Nikola Popović
16 Montenegro DF Nikola Stijepović
18 Montenegro FW Goran Vujović
19 Montenegro MF Stefan Lončar
No. Position Player
20 Montenegro MF Draško Božović
21 Montenegro MF Miloš Vučić
23 Montenegro GK Marko Radović
24 Montenegro DF Igor Ćuković
26 Montenegro MF Matija Vujović
32 Montenegro GK Ivan Janjušević
50 Serbia DF Slavko Lukić
99 Japan MF Masato Fukui
Montenegro DF Aleksandar Šofranac
Montenegro FW Filip Vorotović

Former players

For the list of former and current players with Wikipedia article, please see Category:FK Sutjeska Nikšić players.

Technical staff

Current technical staff
  • Manager: Montenegro Brajan Nenezić
  • Coach: Montenegro Slaviša Mirković
  • Goalkeeping coach: Montenegro Zoran Radović
  • Fitness coach: Montenegro Kosta Goranović
  • Physiotherapist: Montenegro Danilo Dedović
  • Doctor: Montenegro Veselin Bulatović

Club management

Current management
  • President: Montenegro Ranko Jovović
  • Director: Montenegro Nikola Jovović
  • Secretary: Montenegro Milojica Srdanović
  • Security commissioner: Montenegro Zoran Bigović
  • Club representative: Montenegro Kosta Goranović

Notable coaches

References

  1. Upravni Odbor Sutjeska. "Stadion".
  2. Sutjeska from Niksic - Loved by the city - Vijesti Arhiva (2004) (In Serbian)
  3. Annabet - Sutjeska - Racing FC Union Luxembourg 3:0
  4. MTZ-Ripo Minsk - Sutjeska 2:1 (uefa.com)
  5. UEFA: Sutjeska hold nerve to lift first Montenegrin crown - June 1, 2013
  6. Никшић Град и људи - Трагом старих фотографијa 1944-1970. Page 116. By Maksim Vujacic. 1996
  7. Sutjeska colts racing like thoroughbreds - May 6, 2009 UEFA.com

External links