RK Lovćen

RK Lovćen Cetinje
Full name	Rukometni klub Lovćen Cetinje
Short name	Lovćen
Founded	1949
Arena	SRC Lovćen Cetinje Montenegro
Capacity	2,020 seats
Head coach	Zoran Abramović
League	First Handball League
2013–14	1st
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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

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 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
Lovćen Cetinje	6	4	1	1	160	150	+10	9
SDC San Antonio	6	4	0	2	170	155	+15	8
IL Runar Sandefjord	6	2	0	4	151	165	−14	4
Banik Karvina	6	1	1	4	170	181	−11	3

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.

Honours and achievements

National Championships - 7

• Champion of FR Yugoslavia (2)
  • 2000, 2001.
• Champion of Montenegro (5)
  • 2007, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

National Cups - 10

• Winner of the FR Yugoslavia Cup (2)
  • 2002, 2003.
• Winner of the Montenegrin Cup (8)
  • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017

European Cups

• EHF Champions League
  • 5th place - 2001.

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
	1988/89	6th	30	16	1	13
	1989/90	11th	30	13	1	16
	1990/91	15th	30	8	0	22
	1994/95	7th	28	12	3	13
	1995/96	12th	29	12	0	17
	1996/97	2nd	26	16	3	7
	1997/98	3rd *	26	16	5	6
	1998/99	2nd	21	16	1	4
	1999/00	1st	30	27	1	2
	2000/01	1st *	20	17	2	1
	2001/02	1st *	30	26	1	3
	2002/03	2nd	32	25	2	5
	2003/04	5th	18	9	1	8
	2004/05	7th	18	7	2	9
	2005/06	3rd	10	5	2	3
	2006/07	1st	20	18	1	1
	2007/08	2nd	18	12	0	6
	2008/09	2nd	28	23	0	5
	2009/10	3rd	20	12	3	5
	2010/11	2nd	18	13	2	3
	2011/12	1st	20	18	1	1
	2012/13	1st	18	18	0	0
	2013/14	1st	18	17	0	1
	2014/15	1st	18	17	0	1
	2015/16	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 trophises 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
	2001/02	Vršac	Lovćen Cetinje - Sintelon Bačka Palanka	19:18 (10:10)
	2002/03	Belgrade	Lovćen Cetinje - Partizan Belgrade	28:26 (13:11)
	2008/09	Cetinje	Lovćen Cetinje - Budućnost Podgorica	26:25 (13:12)
	2009/10	Pljevlja	Lovćen Cetinje - Sutjeska Nikšić	18:17 (10:10)
	2010/11	Cetinje	Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac	31:25 (19:16)
	2011/12	Cetinje	Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac	23:19 (10:12)
	2012/13	Cetinje	Lovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac	28:22 (15:11)
	2013/14	Danilovgrad	Lovćen Cetinje - Danilovgrad	41:28 (21:12)
	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 porest 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
1997/98	EHF Cup	1/16	Minaur Baia Mare	25:20, 17:25
1998/99	EHF Cities Cup	1/16	HRK Izviđač Ljubuški	41:20, 38:30
		1/8	Virum-Sorgenfri HK	29:20, 20:26
		1/4	Drammen HK	29:23, 24:32
1999/00	EHF Cup	1/16	SKP Frýdek-Místek	34:23, 23:29
		1/8	Diyarbakir PolisGücü	32:24
		1/4	ABC Braga	25:24, 21:26
2000/01	EHF Champions League	Qual	Remus Bärnbach-Köflach	30:23, 30:16
		Group	IL Runar	25:22, 28:23
		Group	Portland San Antonio	25:24, 22:25
		Group	Baník Karviná	31:27, 29:29
		1/4	THW Kiel	29:24, 22:35
2001/02	EHF Champions League	Group	Kolding IF	23:28, 18:20
		Group	Sporting Lisbon CP	26:22, 0:10
		Group	Portland San Antonio	24:28, 19:39
2002/03	EHF Cup Winners' Cup	1/16	HPC Arkatron Minsk	31:25, 24:18
		1/8	Energiya Voronezh	30:29, 20:29
2003/04	EHF Cup Winners' Cup	1/16	RK Sloga Doboj	29:27, 33:34
		1/8	Cankaya Bel. Ankara	18:21, 20:20
2005/06	EHF Cup Winners' Cup	1/16	RK Sloga Doboj	27:24, 22:27
2006/07	EHF Challenge Cup	1/16	RK Berane	26:19, 20:23
		1/8	RK Borac Banja Luka	27:17, 23:30
		1/4	Drammen HK	29:26, 27:37
2007/08	EHF Cup	1/16	HB Dudelange	30:30, 34:35
2008/09	EHF Cup	1/32	Neistin Tórshavn	35:21, 32:33
		1/16	Benfica	28:26, 23:24
		1/8	RK Gorenje Velenje	28:33, 16:35
2009/10	EHF Cup Winners' Cup	1/16	Tremblay-en-France Handball	27:24, 20:33
2010/11	EHF Cup	1/16	Xico Andebol	25:26, 32:33
2011/12	EHF Cup Winners' Cup	1/16	Benfica	21:25, 14:26
2012/13	EHF Champions League	Group	RK Sloga Doboj	23:25
		Group	FC Porto	25:31
	EHF Cup	1/32	Kolding IF	31:32, 17:34
2013/14	EHF Cup	1/32	Maccabi Tel Aviv	35:37, 29:30
2014/15	EHF Cup	1/32	HC Kriens - Luzern	22:30, 25:37
2015/16	EHF Cup	1/32	KRAS/Volendam	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	2	2	0	0	60:39
Belarus	2	2	0	0	55:43
Bosnia and Herzegovina	9	5	0	4	273:234
Czech Republic	4	2	1	1	117:108
Denmark	6	1	0	5	138:160
Faroe Islands	2	1	0	1	67:54
France	2	1	0	1	47:57
Germany	2	1	0	1	51:59
Israel	2	0	0	2	64:65
Luxembourg	2	0	1	1	64:67
Montenegro	2	1	0	1	46:42
Netherlands	2	0	0	2	41:64
Norway	6	4	0	2	162:163
Portugal	11	3	0	8	240:273
Romania	2	1	0	1	42:45
Russia	2	1	0	1	50:58
Slovenia	2	0	0	2	44:68
Spain	4	1	0	3	90:116
Switzerland	2	0	0	2	47:67
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: Zoran Abramović
Official kit supplier: Legea
Sponsors: Prijestonica Cetinje / Old Royal Capital Cetinje (city government), Lovćen Osiguranje / Lovćen Insurance

Notable former players

Notable coaches

• Veselin Vujović
• Pero Milošević
• Branko Dumnić
• Ljubomir Obradović
• Ranko Popović
• Nikola Adžić

See also

• RK Lovćen in the First League
• RK Lovćen in SEHA League
• SD Lovćen Cetinje
• Cetinje

External links

• Handball Federation of Montenegro
• balkan-handball