View source for Montenegrin First League of Women's Handball

{{Infobox Sports league
| title          = Montenegrin First League of Women's Handball
| current_season =
|logo=
|pixels=140px
| caption        =
| Formerly       =
| sport          = [[Handball]]
| founded        = 2006
| fame           =
| motto          =
| inaugural      =
| confed_cup           = [[Women's EHF Champions League|Champions League]]<br />[[Women's EHF Cup|EHF Cup]]<br />[[Women's EHF Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| teams          = 6<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rscg.co.me/prva-liga-z/ |title=Prva liga (Ž) &#124; Rukometni Savez Crne Gore |access-date=2016-08-23 |archive-date=2017-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615030936/http://rscg.co.me/prva-liga-z/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| country        = {{flag|Montenegro}}
| continent      = {{flagicon|EU}} [[Europe]]
| champion       = [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost]]
| most_champs    = [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost]] (16 titles in independent Montenegro, 34 overall)
| qualification  =
| folded         =
| website        = [http://rscg.co.me/ Montenegrin Handball Federation]
| singles        =
| ceo            =
| Director       =
| TV             = [[RTCG]]
| related_comps  =
| Founder        = [[Handball Federation of Montenegro]]
}}
The '''Montenegrin First League of Women's Handball''' is the top women's [[team handball]] league in [[Montenegro]]. It is organised by the [[Handball Federation of Montenegro]].
==History==
===Before independence===
Since 2006, Montenegrin women's handball clubs played in the competitions of SFR Yugoslavia, FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro. Most successful was [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]], who gained 18 champion titles in Yugoslav championship, with three European trophies (1985, 1986, 2006). Budućnost was most successful Yugoslav handball club, and except them, in the Yugoslav First League played [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]].<br />
ŽRK Budućnost was the first Montenegrin team which participated in Yugoslav handball competitions for women. They debuted in the top-tier on season 1981-82<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://zrkb.me/istorijat|title=ŽRK Budućnost - Istorijat}}</ref> and soon after that begun era of their huge successes. After hard struggle with RK Radnički from Belgrade, ŽRK Budućnost won their first ever title on season ''1984–85''. Four years later, they won another title, defended next season. After the 1990-91 edition, finished with sensational trophy winning by ŽRK Lokomotiva Zagreb, team from Podgorica was the title holder in the last season of SFR Yugoslavia league (''1991–92'').<br />
Below is the list of all-time participants of Montenegrin clubs in the First League of SFR Yugoslavia.<br />
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em"
|-
! Club!! 82 !! 83 !! 84 !! 85 !! 86 !! 87 !! 88 !! 89 !! 90 !! 91 !! 92
|-
| ''' [[ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost]] ''' || 9 || 10 || 2 || style="background:gold"|1 || 3 || 2 || 2 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || 2 || style="background:gold"|1
|-
| ''' [[ŽKK Danilovgrad|Danilovgrad]] ''' ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| -  ||12 ||style="background:#dedede;"| - || 12 ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| - ||style="background:#dedede;"| -
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
|}
In FR Yugoslavia / Serbia and Montenegro, ŽRK Budućnost dominated during the every single season, so they won 14 consecutive titles (''1992–93, 1993-1994, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06'').
===After independence===
Soon after the [[Montenegrin independence referendum, 2006|Montenegrin independence referendum]], Handball Federation of Montenegro founded its own competitions, with the First League as a top-tier competition for women. The league have two phases. In the first (regular season) participate six teams. Best three squads from regular season are qualifying for the final phase, together with ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica, who's not participant of the first phase.<br />
During the history, ŽRK Budućnost was strongly dominant side, won every single trophy of national champion.<br />
Except all domestic competitions, ŽRK Budućnost won the EHF Champions League on seasons ''2011–12'' and ''2014–15'', and EHF Cup Winners' Cup ''2009-10''.
==EHF league ranking==
EHF League Ranking for 2022/23 season:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurohandball.com/media/izkhcgm2/placedistribution_women_22_23.pdf|title=2021/22 season ranking|publisher=[[European Handball Federation]]|access-date=1 August 2022}}</ref>
*5. [[Image:Green-Up-Arrow.svg|15px]]&nbsp;(''6'') {{flagicon|Norway}} [[REMA 1000-ligaen (women's handball)|REMA 1000-ligaen]] (102.17)
*6. [[File:RedDownArrow.svg|15px]]&nbsp;(''4'') {{flagicon|Romania}} [[Liga Națională (women's handball)|Liga Națională]] (94.50)
*7. [[File:Disc Plain yellow dark.svg|15px]]&nbsp;(''7'') {{flagicon|Montenegro}} '''Prva Liga''' (61.33)
*8. [[Image:Green-Up-Arrow.svg|15px]]&nbsp;(''9'') {{flagicon|Croatia}} [[Croatian First League (women's handball)|1. HRL]] (57.00)
*9. [[File:RedDownArrow.svg|15px]]&nbsp;(''8'') {{flagicon|Germany}} [[Handball-Bundesliga (women)|Handball Bundesliga Frauen]] (56.33)
==Champions==
From the inaugural season (2006/07), ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica won all the champion titles in Montenegrin First League of Women's Handball.
===Titles by season===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season !! Champion !! Runner up
|-
|2006–07 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Nikšić]]
|-
|2007–08 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Nikšić]]
|-
|2008–09 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]]
|-
|2009–10 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]]
|-
|2010–11 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]]
|-
|2011–12 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]]
|-
|2012–13 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]
|-
|2013–14 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]
|-
|2014–15 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]
|-
|2015–16 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]
|-
|2016–17 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]
|-
|2017–18 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Levalea Nikšić]]
|-
|2018–19 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Levalea Nikšić]]
|-
|2019–20 || colspan=2|'''Canceled''' due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro|coronavirus pandemic]]<ref>'''Canceled''' due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Montenegro|coronavirus pandemic]]</ref>
|-
|2020–21 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Levalea Nikšić]]
|-
|2021–22 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja]]
|-
|2022–23 || '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]''' || [[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja]]
|-
|}
===Titles by Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%
|-
! Club !! Titles / Montenegro !! Years Won !! Titles / Yugoslavia !! Years Won
|-
| [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]] || align="center"|'''16''' || 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 || align="center"|'''18''' || 1984–85, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993-1994, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06
|}
==Current season==
Season 2023–24 is 17th edition of Montenegrin women's volley league. League have nine participants. In the first phase, eight teams are playing 14 legs and, after that, first placed team is advancing in the playoff finals against ŽRK Budućnost.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Team
!Arena
!Capacity
!City
|-
|[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica|ŽRK Budućnost]]
|[[Bemax Arena]]
|2,500
|[[Podgorica]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica|ŽRK Budućnost 'B']]
|[[University Hall Podgorica|University Hall]]
|1,000
|[[Podgorica]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Levalea]]
|[[Nikšić Sports Center|Nikšić SC]]
|4,000
|[[Nikšić]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Mornar]]
|[[Topolica Sport Hall|Topolica]]
|3,000
|[[Bar, Montenegro|Bar]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Nikšić]]
|[[Nikšić Sports Center|Nikšić SC]]
|4,000
|[[Nikšić]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja|ŽRK Rudar]]
|[[Ada Sports Center|Ada SC]]
|3,000
|[[Pljevlja]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Tivat]]
|[[Dvorana Župa Tivat|Župa]]
|900
|[[Tivat]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Ulcinj]]
|[[Ulcinj Sports Hall|Sports Hall Ulcinj]]
|1,500
|[[Golubovci]]
|-
|[[ŽRK Zeta]]
|[[School Hall Golubovci|Golubovci Hall]]
|600
|[[Golubovci]]
|-
|}
==Montenegrin women's handball clubs in WRH League==
Women Regional Handball League (WRHL) is founded on 2009, and Montenegrin clubs are participating from its inaugural season. As one of strongest European clubs, [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]] dominated in the history of competition, often playing seasons without any defeat. So, ŽRK Budućnost won five titles during the six seasons of WRHL.<br />
Below is list of participation of Montenegrin clubs by every season of WRHL.
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%; margin-left:1em"
|-
! Club!! 09 !! 10 !! 11 !! 12 !! 13 !! 14 !! 15 !! 17 !! 18 !! 19
|-
| ''' [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica|Budućnost]] ''' || 2 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || style="background:gold"|1 || 2 || 2 || style="background:gold"|1
|-
| ''' [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja|Biseri]] ''' || style="background:#dedede;"| - || 6 || 6 || 7 || 8 || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| -
|-
| ''' [[ŽRK Danilovgrad|Danilovgrad]] ''' || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || 6 || 2 || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| -
|-
| ''' [[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja|Rudar]] ''' || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || style="background:#dedede;"| - || 4
|-
|- class="sortbottom"
|}
==Montenegrin women's handball clubs in European competitions==
{{main article|Montenegrin women's handball clubs in European competitions}}
Montenegrin women's handball clubs are participating in the [[European Handball Federation|EHF]] competitions since the season 1984/85.
===Honours===
Montenegrin side [[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]] was extremely successful in the European Cups and today is among the best and most-trophied European and global women's handball teams. They are most successful Montenegrin sports team in European Cups, too. ŽRK Budućnost won six European titles, and among them are:
*'''[[EHF Women's Champions League]]''':
**'''Winners:''' [[2011–12 EHF Women's Champions League|2012]], [[2014–15 EHF Women's Champions League|2015]]
*'''[[Women's EHF Cup Winners' Cup]]''':
**'''Winners:''' 1985, 2006, 2010
*'''[[Women's EHF Cup]]''':
**'''Winners:''' 1987
===All time list===
Except ŽRK Budućnost, until today, representatives of Montenegro in women's EHF competitions were [[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja]], [[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]], [[ŽRK Danilovgrad]], [[ŽRK Nikšić]] and [[ŽRK Petrol Bonus Podgorica]].<br />
Majority of matches are played by ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Team
! Seasons
! G
! W
! D
! L
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica]]'''
| 35
| '''377'''
| 208
| 29
| 140
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Biseri Pljevlja]]'''
| 5
| '''12'''
| 1
| 0
| 11
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Danilovgrad]]'''
| 4
| '''8'''
| 1
| 1
| 6
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Petrol Bonus Podgorica]]'''
| 1
| '''4'''
| 2
| 0
| 2
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Nikšić]]'''
| 1
| '''4'''
| 1
| 0
| 3
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| '''[[ŽRK Rudar Pljevlja]]'''
| 1
| '''2'''
| 0
| 0
| 2
|-
|}
''As of the end of EHF competitions 2022–23 season.''
== See also ==
* [[Montenegrin women's handball clubs in European competitions]]
* [[Montenegrin Women's Handball Cup]]
* [[Women's EHF Champions League]]
* [[Montenegrin First League of Men's Handball]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.rscg.co.me/ Handball Federation of Montenegro]
{{Sport in Montenegro}}
{{EHF women's leagues}}
[[Category:Women's handball in Montenegro|First Women's League]]
[[Category:Women's handball leagues]]
[[Category:Women's sports leagues in Montenegro]]
[[Category:Handball leagues in Montenegro]]