Montenegrin First League of Water Polo


The Montenegrin First League of Water Polo is the national professional water polo league in Montenegro. It was established in 2006. shortly after Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia and Montenegro. It is organized by the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro.

Three clubs from Montenegrin League are playing in Adriatic Water Polo League.

History

Before independence

During their history, Montenegrin water polo clubs played in the top-tier competition of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, with important roles in Yugoslav Water Polo Championship. Among them are PVK Jadran, VK Primorac Kotor and VK Budva.

In that competitions, Montenegrin clubs won 6 titles of national champion. First time, PVK Jadran became champion of Yugoslavia on season 1957-58. Next year, Jadran defended the trophy. VK Primorac won their first champion title on 1985-86 season. On season 1993-94, champion of Yugoslavia became VK Budva. After two trophies in 50's, PVK Jadran won four champion titles on 2002-03, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005-06.
Below is the list of Montenegrin clubs' champion titles in the First League of Yugoslavia.
ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning Years
PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
6
4
1957-58, 1958-59, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06
VK Primorac Kotor
1
2
1985-86
VK Budva
1
2
1993-94

After independence

Soon after the Montenegrin independence referendum, Water polo Federation of Montenegro founded its own competitions, with the First League as a top-tier competition. Number of teams in the First League varied - from 4 to 8.

All the titles in Montenegrin League won three teams - Jadran, Primorac and Budva. Montenegrin clubs are participants of Adriatic Water polo League, too, from its first season.

Champions

From the inaugural season, three different clubs won champion titles in Montenegrin First League of Water Polo.

Titles by season

Titles by Club

Montenegrin League

Below is a list of clubs with titles won in Montenegrin First League of Water Polo.
ClubTitlesRunners-upYears Won
Jadran Herceg Novi912008-09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
Budva292010-11, 2012–13
Primorac Kotor232006-07, 2007–08

Overall

Below is an overall list, with titles won in both leagues - Montenegrin League and SFR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro Championship.
ClubTitlesRunners-upYears Won
Jadran Herceg Novi1551957-58, 1958–59, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19
Budva3111993-94, 2010–11, 2012–13
Primorac Kotor351985-86, 2006–07, 2007–08

Montenegrin water polo clubs in Adriatic League

Clubs from Montenegro were among the founders of Adriatic Water Polo League, which is established at 2008. Since its first season, Montenegrin sides were among the most successful participants of regional competition, and PVK Jadran Herceg Novi won two titles. Othed clubs from Montenegro which participated in Adriatic League are VK Primorac Kotor, VK Budva and VA Cattaro Kotor.

Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of Adriatic League.
SeasonClubPosGWDLNote
2008-09PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
2
22
18
2
2
2008-09VK Primorac Kotor
3
22
18
0
4
2008-09VK Budva
5
22
13
1
8
2009-10PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
1
26
21
2
3
CHAMPIONS
2009-10VK Primorac Kotor
3
25
19
0
6
Final four: Semifinals
2009-10VK Budva
5
24
16
3
5
2009-10VA Cattaro Kotor
6
24
12
3
9
2010-11PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
1
17
12
2
3
CHAMPIONS
2010-11VK Budva
5
16
10
1
5
Playoffs: Quarterfinals
2010-11VK Primorac Kotor
6
17
10
0
7
Playoffs: Quarterfinals
2010-11VA Cattaro Kotor
11
12
2
1
9
2011-12PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
5
17
8
2
7
2011-12VK Budva
6
18
10
0
8
2011-12VK Primorac Kotor
10
18
5
1
12
2012-13VK Budva
4
23
14
2
7
Final four: Semifinals
2012-13PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
8
22
8
1
13
2012-13VK Primorac Kotor
9
22
7
3
12
2013-14PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
4
23
15
0
8
Final four: Semifinals
2013-14VK Budva
6
22
12
1
9
2013-14VK Primorac Kotor
7
22
8
2
12
2014-15PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
5
20
9
3
8
2014-15VK Budva
11
20
9
3
8
2014-15VK Primorac Kotor
13
18
3
2
13
2015-16PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
3
19
14
0
5
Final four: Semifinals
2015-16VK Budva
2
12
8
1
3
Promotion to A1
2015-16VK Primorac Kotor
4
12
4
3
5
2015-16VA Cattaro Kotor
6
12
2
3
7
2016-17PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
2
18
12
1
5
Final four: Finals
2016-17VK Budva
7
16
5
1
10
2016-17VK Primorac Kotor
1
14
11
1
2
Promotion to A1
2016-17VA Cattaro Kotor
5
14
5
1
8
2017-18PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
2
19
14
2
3
Final four: Semifinals
2017-18VK Primorac Kotor
8
18
5
2
11
2017-18VK Budva
9
18
3
1
14
Relegation to A2
2017-18VA Cattaro Kotor
8
16
3
2
1
2018-19PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
2
19
15
0
4
Final four: Semifinals
2018-19VK Primorac Kotor
8
18
4
1
13
2018-19VK Budva
1
16
12
2
2
Promotion to A1
2018-19VA Cattaro Kotor
9
16
3
1
12

Montenegrin water polo clubs in European competitions

Montenegrin water polo clubs are participating in the LEN competitions since the season 1986-97.

First team which ever competed at the European cups was VK Primorac Kotor. Except them, in LEN competitions played also PVK Jadran Herceg Novi, VK Budva, VA Cattaro Kotor and PVK Val Prčanj.

Biggest success in the history of Montenegrin waterpolo made VK Primorac, who won the title in LEN Champions League 2009. Except them, another Montenegrin holder of European trophy is VA Cattaro.

Among the titles which Montenegrin teams won in LEN competitions are:
During the overall history, five different Montenegrin clubs played in LEN competitions.
TeamSeasonsGWDL
PVK Jadran Herceg Novi
16
156
74
23
59
VK Primorac Kotor
15
141
84
7
50
VK Budva
14
124
66
9
49
VA Cattaro Kotor
3
32
22
1
9
PVK Val Prčanj
4
26
8
2
16

As of the end of LEN competitions 2015–16 season.