Montenegrin Second League

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.

Montenegrin Second League
Official logo
Founded2006
Country Montenegro
ConfederationUEFA
Number of teams10
Level on pyramid2
Promotion toMontenegrin First League
Relegation toMontenegrin Third League
Domestic cup(s)Montenegrin Cup
Current championsMladost DG (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsBokelj, Dečić, Jedinstvo,
Mornar (2 titles)
TV partnersMNE Sport TV
Websitehttp://fscg.me
Current: 2023–24 season

History

Before independence

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 Europe 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

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.

  • Number of teams:
    • 2006–07 to 2007–18: 12
    • Since 2018–19: 10

Champions and top goalscorers by season

Champions

From season 2006–07, 12 different clubs won the title in Montenegrin Second League. Jedinstvo, FK Bokelj and FK Dečić are the clubs which had won the title twice.

Promoted to Prva CFL directly or via playoffs
Season Champions Runners up Third place
2006–07 Lovćen Bokelj Ibar
2007–08 Jezero Čelik Jedinstvo
2008–09 Berane Titograd Mornar
2009–10 Titograd Bar Bratstvo
2010–11 Bokelj Berane Jedinstvo
2011–12 Čelik Mornar Jedinstvo
2012–13 Dečić Bokelj Zabjelo
2013–14 Bokelj Berane Jezero
2014–15 Iskra Dečić Igalo
2015–16 Jedinstvo Cetinje Bratstvo
2016–17 Kom Ibar Otrant
2017–18 Mornar Podgorica Lovćen
2018–19 Podgorica Kom Bokelj
2019–20 Dečić Jezero Bokelj
2020–21 Mornar Arsenal Igalo
2021–22 Jedinstvo Arsenal OFK Mladost
2022–23 OFK Mladost Kom Berane

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.

Season Top scorer(s) Club Goals
2009–10 Montenegro Darko Nikač OFK Titograd 20
2010–11 Montenegro Vladan Radović Berane 13
2011–12 Montenegro Damir Alković Zabjelo 22
2012–13 Montenegro Vule Vujačić Dečić 18
2013–14 Montenegro Miloš Rašović Zabjelo 16
2014–15 Montenegro Sava Gardašević Dečić 19
2015–16 Montenegro Danin Talović Jezero 12
2016–17 Montenegro Stefan Milošević Kom 20
2017–18 Cameroon Elie Matuoke Podgorica 23
2018–19 Montenegro Dejan Pepić Bokelj 16
2019–20 Montenegro Siniša Stanisavić Ibar 14
2020–21 Montenegro Nikola Globarević
Montenegro Nino Vukmarković
Berane
Mornar
15
2021–22 Montenegro Žarko Korać
Montenegro Igor Vukčević
Jedinstvo
Kom
17
2022–23 Montenegro Željko Krstović Mladost DG 11

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, 34 different clubs participated in the Montenegrin Second League. FK Ibar and FK Jezero are the teams which 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).

Club Town Ssn First Last Pld W D L GD Pts
BokeljKotor122006–072022–2339818712091552:296681
JedinstvoBijelo Polje122007–082021–22399175108116508:354633
IbarRožaje142006–072020–21453167112174500:525613
JezeroPlav132006–072020–21420153109158439:474568
BeraneBerane122007–082022–2339516282151525:502564
KomPodgorica102010–112022–2333213585112416:359490
IgaloIgalo102011–122022–23362127101134406:372482
BratstvoCijevna112006–072016–1735412684144417:443462
ArsenalTivat102006–072021–2233311991123361:379448
ZabjeloPodgorica92006–072014–1529410279113345:366385
MornarBar72006–072020–212281066557306:192383
OtrantUlcinj92007–082022–232839978116347:370375
ČelikNikšić82006–072017–182619647118292:352335
DečićTuzi42012–132019–20129712929205:119241
CetinjeCetinje62013–142021–221955732106186:335203
IskraDanilovgrad42010–112014–15129482952149:170173
PodgoricaPodgorica32017–182022–2391492527154:100172
TitogradPodgorica32008–092021–22102471936168:122160
LovćenCetinje32006–072019–2096442725136:95159
Crvena StijenaPodgorica42006–072009–10132403557108:147155
OFK MladostPodgorica22021–222022–236833171889:74116
ZoraSpuž32006–072013–149631204592:119113
GrbaljRadanovići32020–212022–239428174995:130111
RadničkiBerane32014–152016–1793282342118:141107
BarBar22009–102011–126630152184:64105
GusinjeGusinje32006–072009–109922265174:15492
DrezgaPiperi22019–202020–216615143761:12458
GrafičarPodgorica12015–162015–16301041637:4134
ZetaGolubovci12022–232022–2332971630:4434
BrskovoMojkovac12015–162015–16305141123:3529
PljevljaPljevlja12010–112010–11335101826:5025
TekstilacBijelo Polje12007–082007–0833662120:5824
PetnjicaPetnjica12011–122011–1233332715:7812
RibnicaPodgorica12008–092008–0933242716:8210
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

Club0708091011121314151617181920212223
Arsenal 5911105125622
Bar 28
Berane 4137256610773
Bokelj 264121433544
Bratstvo 77734541110311
Brskovo 11
Cetinje 77271110
Crvena Stijena 88811
Čelik 10210881912
Dečić 1281
Drezga 810
Grafičar 7
Grbalj 886
Gusinje 61112
Ibar 35597108109821059
Igalo 65939889368
Iskra 59111
Jedinstvo 362385176461
Jezero 91797638105972
Kom 61166612452
Lovćen 139
Mornar 11324171
OFK Mladost 31
Otrant 1041011354107
Petnjica 12
Pljevlja 12
Podgorica 215
Radnički 4410
Ribnica 12
Tekstilac 12
Titograd 219
Zabjelo 469510431211
Zeta 9
Zora 1294

Records and statistics

Records by seasons

Runs

  • Longest unbeaten run: 23 matches, Čelik, 18.09.2011 – 09.05.2012, season 2011–12
  • Longest run without win: 24 matches, Berane, 22.08.2018 – 03.04.2019, season 2018–19
  • Longest winning streak: 10 matches, Čelik, 13.11.2011 – 15.04.2012, season 2011–12
  • Longest losing streak: 14 matches, Ribnica, 15.03.2009 – 30.05.2009, season 2008–09
  • Longest run without conceded goal: 13 matches, Mornar, 07.03.2018 – 16.05.2018, season 2017–18
  • Longest run without scored goal: 7 matches, Berane, 14.10.2018 – 02.12.2018, season 2018–19
  • Longest run of goalless matches (0:0): 4 matches, Mornar, 13.08.2017 – 03.19.2017, season 2017–18

Single game

Attendance by season

Season Avg Overall M H CH CL
2006–07 485 94,620 195 4,000 Ibar (1,524) Bratstvo (128)
2007–08 579 113,550 196 3,000 Jezero (1,935) Bratstvo (144)
2008–09 331 65,500 198 2,000 Ibar (765) Bratstvo (128)
2009–10 356 70,450 198 1,500 Jezero (738) Zabjelo (166)
2010–11 507 98,950 195 2,000 Ibar (1,207) Zabjelo (163)
2011–12 367 71,650 195 2,000 Čelik (729) Bratstvo (159)
2012–13 319 52,600 165 1,500 Jezero (647) Iskra (153)
2013–14 359 71,150 198 2,500 Jezero (818) Bratstvo (141)
2014–15 360 68,350 190 2,500 Iskra (912) Cetinje (147)
2015–16 364 60,050 165 2,000 Jezero (733) Bratstvo (83)
2016–17 347 56,950 164 2,000 Ibar (1,050) Bratstvo (75)
2017–18 312 59,200 190 1,500 Jedinstvo (468) Čelik (93)
2018–19 317 56,150 177 1,000 Jedinstvo (406) Igalo (139)
2019–20 359 36,550 102 1,500 Dečić (736) Drezga (164)
2020–21Without attendance due to the coronavirus pandemic
2021–22 301[3] 53,250 177 4,000 Jedinstvo (947) Cetinje (125)

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
City Finishing
in 2022–23
Stadium Floodlights
FK BeraneBerane3rdBerane City Stadium (6,500)Yes
FK BokeljKotor4thStadion Pod Vrmcem (1,000)Yes
OFK GrbaljRadanovići6thStadion Donja Sutvara (1,500)No
OFK IgaloIgalo8thStadion Solila (1,600)No
FK InternacionalPodgorica1st in Third League – Center Stadion Donji Kokoti (1,000)No
FK IskraDanilovgrad10th in First League Braća Velašević Stadium (2,500)Yes
FK KomPodgorica2ndStadion Zlatica (1,200)Yes
FK LovćenCetinje1st in Third League – South Stadion Sveti Petar Cetinjski (5,192)No
FK Otrant-OlympicUlcinj7thStadion Olympic (1,500)No
FK PodgoricaPodgorica5thDG Arena (4,300)Yes

Grounds

Since establishing (season 2006–07), Montenegrin Second League matches has been played in 26 different stadiums. Biggest stadium, used by FK Berane and FK Radnički, is Berane City Stadium. Except that, there was only two stadiums with more than 5,000 seats which hosted Second League games – Sveti Petar Cetinjski and Pljevlja City Stadium. Below is the list of stadiums on which played members of Second League from season 2006–07 until now.

Second League stadiums by seating capacity
Stadium Club(s) City Opened Capacity
1 Berane City Stadium FK Berane, FK Radnički Berane 1981 6,500
2 Sveti Petar Cetinjski FK Lovćen, FK Cetinje Cetinje 2021 5,192
3 Pljevlja City Stadium FK Pljevlja Pljevlja 1946 5,140
4 DG Arena FK Podgorica, OFK Mladost DG Podgorica 2018 4,300
5 Bijelo Polje City Stadium FK Jedinstvo, FK Tekstilac Bijelo Polje 2005 4,000
6 Bandžovo Brdo FK Ibar Rožaje 1946 3,000
7 Topolica FK Mornar, OFK Bar Bar 1980 2,500
8 Braća Velašević FK Iskra Danilovgrad 1947 2,500
9 Pod Racinom FK Jezero Plav 1948 2,500
10 Stadion u Parku FK Arsenal Tivat 1945 2,000
11 Tuško Polje FK Dečić Tuzi 2006 2,000
12 Željezara Stadium FK Čelik Nikšić 1957 2,000
13 Gusinje City Stadium FK Gusinje Gusinje 1996 2,000
14 Spuž City Stadium FK Zora, FK Drezga Spuž 1955 1,700
15 Solila FK Igalo Igalo 1995 1,600
16 Mojkovac City Stadium FK Brskovo Mojkovac 2009 1,500
17 Stadion Olympic FK Otrant Ulcinj 1975 1,500
18 Mladost Stadium OFK Titograd Podgorica 2007 1,250
19 Zlatica FK Kom Podgorica 2006 1,200
20 Camp FSCG Stadium FK Grafičar Podgorica 2007 1,050
21 Pod Vrmcem FK Bokelj Kotor 1922 1,000
22 Tološi Stadium FK Crvena Stijena Podgorica 1964 1,000
23 Gusare FK Petnjica Petnjica 1977 1,000
24 Konik Stadium / former FK Ribnica Podgorica 1974 750
25 Zabjelo Stadium FK Zabjelo Podgorica 1973 750
26 Ljajkovići FK Bratstvo Zeta 2007 300

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

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