Montenegrin Second League Explained

Pixels:150
Confed:UEFA
Founded:2006
Teams:10
Promotion:Montenegrin First League
Relegation:Montenegrin Third League
Levels:2
Domest Cup:Montenegrin Cup
Champions:Bokelj (3rd title)
Season:2023–24
Most Successful Club:Bokelj (3 titles)
Tv:MNE Sport TV
Website:http://fscg.me
Current:2023–24 season

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.

History

Before independence

See main article: Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav football competitions (1946-2006). 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

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

2006–16

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–

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

See also: Montenegrin First League playoffs. 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

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.

Champions and top goalscorers by season

Champions

From season 2006–07, 12 different clubs won the title in Montenegrin Second League. FK Bokelj won the title three times, while Jedinstvo and FK Dečić did it twice.

Promoted to Prva CFL directly or via playoffs
SeasonChampionsRunners upThird place
2006–07LovćenBokeljIbar
2007–08JezeroČelikJedinstvo
2008–09BeraneTitogradMornar
2009–10TitogradBarBratstvo
2010–11BokeljBeraneJedinstvo
2011–12ČelikMornarJedinstvo
2012–13DečićBokeljZabjelo
2013–14BokeljBeraneJezero
2014–15IskraDečićIgalo
2015–16JedinstvoCetinjeBratstvo
2016–17KomIbarOtrant
2017–18MornarPodgoricaLovćen
2018–19PodgoricaKomBokelj
2019–20DečićJezeroBokelj
2020–21MornarArsenalIgalo
2021–22JedinstvoArsenalMladost DG
2022–23Mladost DGKomBerane
2023–24BokeljOtrantPodgorica

Top scorers

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.

SeasonTop scorer(s)ClubGoals
2009–10 Darko NikačOFK Titograd20
2010–11 Vladan RadovićBerane13
2011–12 Damir AlkovićZabjelo22
2012–13 Vule VujačićDečić18
2013–14 Miloš RašovićZabjelo16
2014–15 Sava GardaševićDečić19
2015–16 Danin TalovićJezero12
2016–17 Stefan MiloševićKom20
2017–18 Elie MatuokePodgorica23
2018–19 Dejan PepićBokelj16
2019–20 Siniša StanisavićIbar14
2020–21 Nikola Globarević
Nino Vukmarković
Berane
Mornar
15
2021–22 Žarko Korać
Igor Vukčević
Jedinstvo
Kom
17
2022–23 Željko KrstovićMladost DG11
2023–24 Vladimir PerišićKom22

All time table

Overall

Montenegrin Second League is existing as a competition under the national football association of Montenegro from the season 2006–07. Overall, 35 different clubs participated in the Montenegrin Second League. FK Ibar 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).

ClubTownSsnFirstLastPldWDLGDPts
BokeljKotor132006–072023–2443421112895623:324761
JedinstvoBijelo Polje122007–082021–22399175108116508:354633
IbarRožaje142006–072020–21453167112174500:525613
BeraneBerane132007–082023–2443116889174559:572 589
JezeroPlav132006–072020–21420153109158439:474 568
KomPodgorica112010–112023–2436814790131468:417 531
IgaloIgalo112011–122023–24398140108150446:410 528
BratstvoCijevna112006–072016–1735412684144417:443462
OtrantUlcinj102007–082023–2431912288119411:390454
ArsenalTivat102006–072021–2233311991123361:379448
ZabjeloPodgorica92006–072014–1529410279113345:366385
MornarBar72006–072020–212281066557306:192 383
ČelikNikšić82006–072017–182619647118292:352335
DečićTuzi42012–132019–20129712929205:119241
PodgoricaPodgorica42017–182023–24127653438217:151229
IskraDanilovgrad52010–112023–24165603669185:218 216
CetinjeCetinje62013–142021–221955732106186:335 203
LovćenCetinje42006–072023–24132543840172:153200
GrbaljRadanovići42020–212023–24130432661143:178165
TitogradPodgorica32008–092021–22102471936168:122 160
Crvena StijenaPodgorica42006–072009–10132403557108:147155
Mladost DGPodgorica22021–222022–236833171889:74 116
ZoraSpuž32006–072013–149631204592:119 113
RadničkiBerane32014–152016–1793282342118:141 107
BarBar22009–102011–126630152184:64 105
GusinjeGusinje32006–072009–109922265174:154 92
DrezgaPiperi22019–202020–216615143761:12458
GrafičarPodgorica12015–162015–16301041637:41 34
ZetaGolubovci12022–232022–2332971630:44 34
InternacionalPodgorica12023–242023–24367111836:61 32
BrskovoMojkovac12015–162015–16305141123:35 29
PljevljaPljevlja12010–112010–11335101826:50 25
TekstilacBijelo Polje12007–082007–0833662120:58 24
PetnjicaPetnjica12011–122011–1233332715:78 12
RibnicaPodgorica12008–092008–0933242716:82 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

Club24
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 10
Bokelj 2 6 4 1 2 1 4 3 3 5 4 4 1
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 4
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 5
Internacional 9
Iskra 5 9 11 1 6
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 7
Lovćen 1 3 9 8
Mornar 11 3 2 4 1 7 1
Mladost DG 3 1
Otrant 10 4 10 11 3 5 4 10 7 2
Petnjica 12
Pljevlja 12
Podgorica 2 1 5 3
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

Records by seasons

Runs

Single game

Attendance by season

SeasonAvgOverallMH CHCL
2006–0748594,6201954,000Ibar (1,524)Bratstvo (128)
2007–08579113,5501963,000Jezero (1,935)Bratstvo (144)
2008–0933165,5001982,000Ibar (765)Bratstvo (128)
2009–1035670,4501981,500Jezero (738)Zabjelo (166)
2010–1150798,9501952,000Ibar (1,207)Zabjelo (163)
2011–1236771,6501952,000Čelik (729)Bratstvo (159)
2012–1331952,6001651,500Jezero (647)Iskra (153)
2013–1435971,1501982,500Jezero (818)Bratstvo (141)
2014–1536068,3501902,500Iskra (912)Cetinje (147)
2015–1636460,0501652,000Jezero (733)Bratstvo (83)
2016–1734756,9501642,000Ibar (1,050)Bratstvo (75)
2017–1831259,2001901,500Jedinstvo (468)Čelik (93)
2018–1931756,1501771,000Jedinstvo (406)Igalo (139)
2019–2035936,5501021,500Dečić (736)Drezga (164)
Without attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021–22301[3] 53,2501774,000Jedinstvo (947)Cetinje (125)
2022–23270 43,7501621,500Berane (712)Internacional (156)
2023–24283 50,4401782,000Otrant (572)Internacional (102)
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)

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
Citydata-sort-type="number"Finishing
in 2022–23
StadiumFloodlights
Berane3rdBerane City Stadium (6,500)Yes
Kotor4thStadion Pod Vrmcem (1,000)Yes
Radanovići6thStadion Donja Sutvara (1,500)No
Igalo8thStadion Solila (1,600)No
PodgoricaStadion Donji Kokoti (1,000)No
DanilovgradBraća Velašević Stadium (2,500)Yes
Podgorica2ndStadion Zlatica (1,200)Yes
CetinjeStadion Sveti Petar Cetinjski (5,192)No
Ulcinj7thStadion Olympic (1,500)No
Podgorica5thDG Arena (4,300)Yes

Logo and broadcasting

Official logo and equipment

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

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

External link

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Saopštenje Izvršnog odbora – 07.07.2020..
  2. https://fosmedia.me/sport/fudbal/izvrsni-odbor-fscg-odlucio-zavresena-sezone-trenutni-plasman-je-i-konacni Izvrsni odbor FSCG odlucio zavresena sezone trenutni plasman je i konacni
  3. Capacity reduced to third due to coronavirus pandemic
  4. Web site: 2. CFL.
  5. Web site: Predstavljeni amblemi fudbalskih takmičenja.
  6. Web site: Mne sport TV - Naslovna. mnesport.tv.