Montenegrin First League of Water Polo

Last updated
First Water polo League
Sport Water polo
Founded2006
No. of teams5 (2024-25)
Country Montenegro
Continent LEN (Europe)
Most recent
champion(s)		 Jadran
Most titles Jadran
(12 titles in independent Montenegro; 18 overall)
TV partner(s) RTCG
Level on pyramid1
Domestic cup(s) Montenegrin Water Polo Cup
Official website Official Website

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.

Contents

History

Before independence

During their history, Montenegrin water polo clubs played in the top-tier competition of Kingdom of Yugoslavia, SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro, with important roles in Yugoslav Water Polo Championship. Among them are PVK Jadran, VK Primorac Kotor, VK Budva and VK Bijela, who played in top-tier.
The very first Montenegrin side which participated in official competitions was PVK Jadran, who finished second in 1935 Yugoslav Championship, played in Dubrovnik. [1] First Montenegrin team which played in Yugoslav Championship after the World War II was VK Primorac (season 1946).
Below is the list of all-time participants of Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav Championship from 1935 to 1938.

Club353637
Jadran 243

Below is the list of all-time participants of Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav First League from 1946 to 1970.

Club4651535455565758596061626364656667686970
Primorac 5----------8--778644
Jadran -7766331122344344579

Below is the list of all-time participants of Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav First League from 1971 to 1991, including the placements in First 'B' League from 1989 to 1991.

Club717273747576777879808182838485868788899091
Primorac 656532464335474157667
Jadran 56947884644464891097912
Bijela ------12-----------1819-
Budva ------------------151519

Below is the list of all-time participants of Montenegrin clubs in First League of FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro from 1992 to 2006.

Club929394959697989900010203040506
Primorac 434786554432333
Jadran 566645-83221111
Budva -51223446756654

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. [2] VK Primorac won their first champion title on 1985-86 season. On season 1993-94, champion of Yugoslavia became VK Budva. [3] 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 (2006-07), three different clubs won champion titles in Montenegrin First League of Water Polo.

Titles by season

Montenegrin First League of Water Polo
SeasonChampionSecondThird
2006–07 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran
2007–08 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac (2) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran
2008–09 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac Rosso e Giallo.png VA Cattaro
2009–10 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (2) 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac Rosso e Giallo.png VA Cattaro
2010–11 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2011–12 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (3) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2012–13 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva (2) 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran
2013–14 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (4) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2014–15 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (5) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2015–16 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (6) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2016–17 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (7) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2017–18 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (8) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2018–19 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (9) 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac
2019–20Interrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic
2020–21 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (10) 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva
2021–22 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (11) 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva
2022–23 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran (12) 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac 600px HEX-1372AC White.svg Budva
2023–24 600px White bordered Blue HEX-161384.svg Primorac (3) 600px Giallo con bande Blu.png Jadran Rosso e Giallo.png VA Cattaro

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 Novi 1222008-09, 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
Primorac Kotor 362006-07, 2007–08, 2023-24
Budva 292010-11, 2012–13

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 Novi 1861957-58, 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, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2023
Primorac Kotor 471985-86, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2023-24
Budva 3111993-94, 2010–11, 2012–13

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 on seasons 2010-11 and 2011-12.
Other 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.

Premier League

Club09101112131415161718192021222324
Jadran 2115845322236584
Primorac 33569713--8878812-
Budva 556104611-79-61213--
Cattaro -611-------------

A1 League

Club1617181920222324
Primorac 41-----1
Budva 2--1--511
Cattaro 6589115109

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.

See also

Related Research Articles

Veljko Uskoković is a retired Montenegrin water polo player. His club achievements are: European Champion 2000, 4 times Yugoslav Champion 4 times Yugoslav Cup Winner. Member of Yugoslav national water polo team from 1991 to 2002. Team captain from 1996 to 2001. Uskoković played more than 300 games, and scored over 400 goals.

Aleksandar Ćirić is a Serbian retired water polo player and current head coach of European powerhouse Olympiacos Women's Water Polo Team, who played for two Olympic bronze medal squads, one for FR Yugoslavia at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the other for Serbia at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and one Olympic silver medal squad for Serbia and Montenegro at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. His most notable achievements during his club career are: winning the Euroleague with VK Bečej in 2000, when he gained the title of MVP of competition; and four LEN Cups, three with Brescia and one with VK Radnički Kragujevac.

Sport in Montenegro revolves mostly around team sports, such as football, basketball, handball, and volleyball. Other sports involved are boxing, tennis, swimming, judo, karate, athletics, table tennis, and chess.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vanja Udovičić</span> Serbian politician and water polo player

Vanja Udovičić is a Serbian politician and former professional water polo player who served as minister of youth and sports from 2013 to 2022. An independent politician, he is aligned with the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FK Bokelj</span> Football club

FK Bokelj is a Montenegrin professional football club based in the coastal town of Kotor. They currently compete in the Montenegrin First League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">PVK Jadran</span>

PVK Jadran is a professional water polo club based in Herceg Novi, Montenegro. As of 2021–22 season, the club competes in the Montenegrin League and Regional League A1.

Montenegrin Water Polo Cup is a national water polo cup played in Montenegro. It is organized by the Water Polo and Swimming Federation of Montenegro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Duško Pijetlović</span> Serbian water polo player

Duško Pijetlović is a Serbian water polo center forward for VK Novi Beograd. He was a member of the Serbia men's national water polo teams that won Olympic gold medals in 2016 and 2020, and bronze medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He held the world title in 2009 and 2015 and the European title in 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. Pijetlović won three consecutive Euroleague titles with three teams: in 2011 with Partizan in 2012 with Pro Recco and in 2013 with Crvena Zvezda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrija Prlainović</span> Serbian water polo player

Andrija Prlainović is a Serbian professional water polo player widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever. He was a member of the Serbia men's national water polo teams that won bronze medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and gold medals in 2016 and 2020. He also held the world title in 2009 and 2015 and the European title in 2006, 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018. In 2011, he won the LEN Euroleague with VK Partizan and in 2013 with Red Star Belgrade, where he was one of the best scorers.

Aleksandar Ivović, is a Montenegrin professional water polo player. He started his career at PVK Jadran, which is his first senior team to compete for. He was a member of the Montenegro men's national water polo team at the 2008 Summer Olympics. The team reached the semifinals, where they were defeated by Hungary and then lost to Serbia in the bronze medal match. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, he was again a member of Montenegro's team, where they lost to Croatia in the semi-final, and then lost to Serbia again in the bronze medal match, this time 11–12. He is considered one of the best defenders of all time and by many the top in his position in the world as he can transform the entire defense of his team.

Mlađan Janović is a Montenegrin water polo player. He currently plays for AN Brescia and he is a long-standing member of the Montenegrin national water polo team. He was part of the Montenegro national team that was crowned European Champion at the 2008 European Championship in Málaga.

Nikola Janović is a Montenegrin water polo player and the former Minister of Sports and Youth of Montenegro. He was one of the best water polo player in the world. He was a captain of the Montenegro men's national water polo team and a World and European champion with SRJ, Serbia and Montenegro, and Montenegro. He is a member of the Parliament of Montenegro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Regional Water Polo League</span>

The Regional Water Polo League, commonly known as the Regional League or Adriatic League, is a regional water polo league in Southeast Europe. Originally, the league featured clubs from Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia. In later years, clubs from Serbia joined the league and in one season club from Italy participated in the league.

The Serbian Super League is the highest level of men's water polo in Serbia and it is organized by the Water polo Federation of Serbia.

The Yugoslav Water Polo Championship was the premier league competition for men's water polo clubs in Yugoslavia. Originally established in 1921 in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, it ran for almost 20 years before being suspended due to the Second World War and the Invasion of Yugoslavia.

VA Cattaro is a professional water polo club and academy based in Kotor, Montenegro. The club was founded in 2000. As of 2021–22 season, it competes in the Montenegrin League and Regional League A2.

Montenegrin water polo clubs have participated in the LEN competitions since the season 1986-97.
The 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.
The biggest success in the history of Montenegrin waterpolo was that of VK Primorac, who won the title in LEN Champions League 2009. Another Montenegrin holder of European trophy is VA Cattaro.
Among the titles which Montenegrin teams won in LEN competitions are:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nikola Brkić</span> Montenegrin water polo player

Nikola Brkić is a professional water polo player of Montenegro. Brkić started his career at PVK Jadran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aleksa Ukropina</span> Montenegrin water polo player

Aleksa Ukropina is a Montenegrin water polo player. Aleksa started playing water polo at PVK Jadran, and he is a member of a first squad since 2013. Aleksa is playing for PVK Jadran in competitions like Montenegrin First League of Water Polo, Montenegrin Water Polo Cup, LEN Champions League, Adriatic water polo league.

Dušan Matković is a Montenegrin water polo player. He competed in the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics.

References

  1. ↑ http://dalmatica.svkst.hr/document_viewer/izbornik.php?viewer=6&docid=1005&page=3&fid=&c=org&ext=pdf&doctype=5
  2. ↑ "Istorija kluba". www.pvkjadran.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Vaterpolo klub Budva". www.vkbudva.com. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.