Season review: Montenegro
Friday, June 19, 2015
Article summary
FK Mladost Podgorica, the club that produced Dejan Savićević and Predrag Mijatović, finally clinched their first trophy after FK Rudar Pljevlja surprisingly won the league.
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Champions: FK Rudar Pljevlja
Few tipped Rudar at the start of the campaign, but an opening-day win against champions FK Sutjeska was the launch pad for a fine season. Rudar were ten points clear after an 11-game unbeaten run between October and March, before they faltered and Sutjeska finished strongly. "Despite winning just two of our last five games, we played the best football in the main and deserve to celebrate," said captain Nedeljko Vlahović after they finally got over the line on the last day.
Cup final: FK Mladost Podgorica 2–1 OFK Petrovac
Mladost's acclaimed youth system produced the likes of Dejan Savićević and Predrag Mijatović, but until May they had never won a trophy. Marko Marković's extra-time own goal sealed it against a side that were reduced to ten men before half-time when goalkeeper Nemanja Popović handled outside of the box. "This is a big moment for us and our club," said Mladost coach Aleksandar Nedović. "We were lucky at the end, but probably we deserved to win much earlier."
European places*
FK Rudar Pljevlja – UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
FK Sutjeska – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
FK Budućnost Podgorica – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
FK Mladost Podgorica – UEFA Europa League first qualifying round
*subject to final confirmation from UEFA
Player of the year: Nedeljko Vlahović (FK Rudar Pljevlja)
Vlahović simply gets better with age. Now 31 and club captain, the technically gifted playmaker masterminded Rudar's path to glory. He ended his sixth year at the club with eight goals and ten assists (his best return yet) and a fourth major honour too – they had managed just one before his arrival. Vlahović won his only cap back in 2007.
One to watch: Ilija Tučević (OFK Grbalj)
The 19-year-old Tučević made a real impression in his first full season as a senior player. A modern, versatile left-back, he has the stamina and pace to fulfil his defensive tasks and provide a threat going forwards: he scored five goals and claimed three assists this term.
Leading scorer: Goran Vujović (FK Sutjeska) – 21 goals
Relegated: FK Berane, FK Mogren
Promoted: FK Iskra Danilovgrad, FK Dečić