RK Lovćen


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
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. 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. New doubles Lovćen made at seasons 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Honours and achievements

National Championships - 10
National Cups - 11
European Cups

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.
CountrySeasonPlacementMWDL
1988/896th3016113
1989/9011th3013116
1990/9115th308022
1994/957th2812313
1995/9612th2912017
1996/972nd261637
1997/983rd *261656
1998/992nd211614
1999/001st302712
2000/011st *201721
2001/021st *302613
2002/032nd322525
2003/045th18918
2004/057th18729
2005/063rd10523
2006/071st201811
2007/082nd181206
2008/092nd282305
2009/103rd201235
2010/112nd181323
2011/121st201811
2012/131st181800
2013/141st181701
2014/151st181701
2015/162nd181314
OVERALL57438633155

* 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.
CountryCup SeasonHostFinal matchResult
2001/02
VršacLovćen Cetinje - Sintelon Bačka Palanka
19:18
2002/03
BelgradeLovćen Cetinje - Partizan Belgrade
28:26
2008/09
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Budućnost Podgorica
26:25
2009/10
PljevljaLovćen Cetinje - Sutjeska Nikšić
18:17
2010/11
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
31:25
2011/12
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
23:19
2012/13
CetinjeLovćen Cetinje - Mojkovac
28:22
2013/14
DanilovgradLovćen Cetinje - Danilovgrad
41:28
2014/15
BudvaLovćen Cetinje - Budvanska Rivijera
25:21

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, Vardar and Tatran Prešov. 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.
SeasonPlacementMWDL
2011/20126th211209
2012/20136th18927
2013/20149th183213
OVERALL5724429-

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.
CompetitionMatchesWDLGD
EHF Champions League18819429:451
EHF Cup Winners' Cup14617336:362
EHF Cup256118660:731
EHF Challenge Cup12705333:303
OVERALL69273391758:1847

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 and EHF Cup Winners' Cup.
SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentScore
1997/98EHF Cup1/16 Minaur Baia Mare25:20, 17:25
1998/99EHF Cities Cup1/16 HRK Izviđač Ljubuški41:20, 38:30
1998/99EHF Cities Cup1/8 Virum-Sorgenfri HK29:20, 20:26
1998/99EHF Cities Cup1/4 Drammen HK29:23, 24:32
1999/00EHF Cup1/16 SKP Frýdek-Místek34:23, 23:29
1999/00EHF Cup1/8 Diyarbakir PolisGücü32:24
1999/00EHF Cup1/4 ABC Braga25:24, 21:26
2000/01EHF Champions LeagueQual Remus Bärnbach-Köflach30:23, 30:16
2000/01EHF Champions LeagueGroup IL Runar25:22, 28:23
2000/01EHF Champions LeagueGroup Portland San Antonio25:24, 22:25
2000/01EHF Champions LeagueGroup Baník Karviná31:27, 29:29
2000/01EHF Champions League1/4 THW Kiel29:24, 22:35
2001/02EHF Champions LeagueGroup Kolding IF23:28, 18:20
2001/02EHF Champions LeagueGroup Sporting Lisbon CP26:22, 0:10
2001/02EHF Champions LeagueGroup Portland San Antonio24:28, 19:39
2002/03EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/16 HPC Arkatron Minsk31:25, 24:18
2002/03EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/8 Energiya Voronezh30:29, 20:29
2003/04EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/16 RK Sloga Doboj29:27, 33:34
2003/04EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/8 Cankaya Bel. Ankara18:21, 20:20
2005/06EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/16 RK Sloga Doboj27:24, 22:27
2006/07EHF Challenge Cup1/16 RK Berane26:19, 20:23
2006/07EHF Challenge Cup1/8 RK Borac Banja Luka27:17, 23:30
2006/07EHF Challenge Cup1/4 Drammen HK29:26, 27:37
2007/08EHF Cup1/16 HB Dudelange30:30, 34:35
2008/09EHF Cup1/32 Neistin Tórshavn35:21, 32:33
2008/09EHF Cup1/16 Benfica28:26, 23:24
2008/09EHF Cup1/8 RK Gorenje Velenje28:33, 16:35
2009/10EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/16 Tremblay-en-France Handball27:24, 20:33
2010/11EHF Cup1/16 Xico Andebol25:26, 32:33
2011/12EHF Cup Winners' Cup1/16 Benfica21:25, 14:26
2012/13EHF Champions LeagueGroup RK Sloga Doboj23:25
2012/13EHF Champions LeagueGroup FC Porto25:31
2012/13EHF Cup1/32 Kolding IF31:32, 17:34
2013/14EHF Cup1/32 Maccabi Tel Aviv35:37, 29:30
2014/15EHF Cup1/32 HC Kriens - Luzern22:30, 25:37
2015/16EHF Cup1/32 KRAS/Volendam23:34, 18:30

Opponents by countries

In the European competitions, Lovćen played against clubs from various 19 countries, including Montenegro.
CountryMatchesWDLGD
Austria220060:39
Belarus220055:43
Bosnia and Herzegovina9504273:234
Czech Republic4211117:108
Denmark6105138:160
Faroe Islands210167:54
France210147:57
Germany210151:59
Israel200264:65
Luxembourg201164:67
Montenegro210146:42
Netherlands200241:64
Norway6402162:163
Portugal11308240:273
Romania210142:45
Russia210150:58
Slovenia200244:68
Spain410390:116
Switzerland200247:67
Turkey311170:65
OVERALL69273391758:1847

Current squad

RK Lovćen Cetinje roster - season 2013/14

As of 10 March 2014
;Goalkeepers
;Right wingers
;Left wingers
;Line players
;Back players
Coach: Zoran Abramović

Official kit supplier: Legea

Sponsors: Prijestonica Cetinje / Old Royal Capital Cetinje , Lovćen Osiguranje / Lovćen Insurance

Notable former players