The beautiful Montenegro, with its diverse landscape, is a tourist attraction not just for its beauty but for the many activities it has to offer. From trekking, cycling, and horseback riding to swimming and diving, one can indulge in myriad activities.
When it comes to sports, team sports are predominantly prevalent, including football, water polo, volleyball, handball, and basketball. This article offers a roundup of the five most popular sports in the country.
Football In Montenegro
The world’s most popular sport has also made its way to the top in Montenegro. It is a popular topic of conversation among the locals and is considered one of the best ways to spend time. Be it schools, parks, cafes, or pubs, you will see football being played or discussed.
Montenegro has a league system in the country, with the Telekom 1 CFLA as the first league. There are second and third leagues well in lower tiers. Unfortunately, the first league has not achieved much success internationally and is one of the weakest leagues in the region. The most successful club in the league is the FK Sutjestka. With the rise of the club and the Buducnost from Podgorica, crowds have started returning to the stadiums to watch the local matches again. The clubs were a part of the first football league in Yugoslavia and now are the prominent clubs in the Montenegrin League.
The Montenegrin football national team is the world’s youngest international soccer team and has been playing in FIFA and UEFA since 2007. Till now, the team has little to show for its international participation. The team played successfully in the Euro 2012 qualification challenge but eventually lost to the Czech Republic. The team also achieved success against England three times.
Basketball In Montenegro
Another sport that is also widely popular in Montenegro is basketball. Montenegrins are one of the top three tallest nations in the continent, a quality which makes them quite suitable for the sport.
There are various basketball clubs in the country, out of which the KK Budućnost Podgorica is the most successful club and has won many titles from Montenegro and Yugoslavia. It won every title ever since Montenegro’s independence and achieved three titles in the former Yugoslavia. The club has also achieved some success in FIBA and ULEB Euro league.
Buducnost was also the first club to bring the country an ABA League title. The second prominent club, Mornar, also continues to improve every year and has played in the regional league’s final four of the ABA (Adriatic Basketball Association).
The women’s most successful club is the ŽKK Budućnost Podgorica, the only team that has won titles in the Yugoslavia League.
Handball In Montenegro
The third sport on our list is handball. It is one of the country’s most important sports, having won its first Olympic medal for Montenegro in 2012. It was a silver medal brought home by the women’s team. Men and women in the country equally like the sport.
The most successful men’s handball team in Montenegro is RK Lovćen from Cetinje. It has also claimed titles from the former Yugoslavia and became champions in Montenegro 7 times. The team has also participated in the EHF Champions League.
As far as the women’s teams are concerned, the most popular is the ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica. It is one of the only two Montenegrin clubs that has won a European tournament in team sports. It is also the only club to have won the women’s handball league titles in the country.
The national handball team has played once in the World Cup and four times in the European championship.
Water Polo In Montenegro
Besides handball, men’s water polo is another sport that has put Montenegro on the global sports map. Water polo is mostly popular in southern Montenegro, and some of the best water polo players in recent times have come from this place.
The men’s national water polo team won the European Championship in 2008. The team also scored 4th place in the Olympics on three occasions. It also won second place in the World Championship in 2013 and gold twice in the World League.
In the First League of Montenegro, the most successful club is Jadran, while the overall most successful club is WC Primorac, the team that won the European Champions League in 2009.
Tennis In Montenegro
The last sport we will discuss in this article is tennis. It is one of the individual sports that have increased in popularity in recent years. In the men’s category, there has not been much success. However, the most notable tennis player in Montenegro is Danka Kovinic, who ranks 67th in the WTA rankings.
Besides tennis, other individual sports that are popular in Montenegro include boxing, judo, and mixed martial arts, among others.
FAQs
What is The Montenegro National Sport?
The national sport of Montenegro is water polo. This sport is extremely popular in the country and is known for bringing not only popularity but also pride and medals. The Montenegro men’s national water polo team is particularly successful, having won the gold medal at the 2008 Men’s European Water Polo Championship in Málaga, Spain, and at the 2009 FINA Men’s Water Polo World League in Podgorica, Montenegro. These achievements underscore the importance and acclaim of water polo as the national sport of Montenegro.
Apart from water polo, Montenegro also has a strong inclination towards team sports such as football, basketball, handball, and volleyball. The country’s participation and success in these sports have been significant, particularly in basketball, where the Montenegro national basketball team has had commendable performances, including winning medals as part of the former Yugoslavia national basketball team.
Football is another sport that enjoys widespread popularity in Montenegro, with notable players and the national team participating in various international competitions, including the playoffs for UEFA Euro 2012, which is considered the biggest success in the history of the Montenegro national football team.
These diverse sporting interests and successes reflect Montenegro’s passion for sports and its ability to excel in various disciplines, particularly in team sports that unite people, especially when they win different medals.
Who Are The Best Montenegro Football Players?
Montenegro has produced several notable football players who have made significant contributions to the sport. Among the best Montenegro football players, Mirko Vučinić stands out with his impressive record of winning the Montenegrin Footballer of the Year award seven times, from 2006 to 2008 and again from 2010 to 2013. Vučinić’s accomplishments reflect his considerable talent and impact on football in Montenegro.
Another prominent name in Montenegro football is Stefan Savić, who has been awarded the Montenegrin Footballer of the Year six times, from 2016 to 2018 and then again from 2020 to 2022. Savić’s consistent performances have earned him recognition and respect in the football community.
Stevan Jovetić is also a notable player from Montenegro, having won the Montenegrin Footballer of the Year twice, in 2009 and 2015. His skills on the pitch have made him a key player for Montenegro and have contributed to his team’s successes.
Other footballers such as Marko Baša and Stefan Mugoša have each won the Montenegrin Footballer of the Year award once, in 2014 and 2019 respectively. Their talents and contributions to the sport have also been recognized through these awards.
These players, among others, have played pivotal roles in elevating Montenegro’s presence in international football, showcasing the talent and passion for the sport within the country.
What are the best sports betting sites in Montenegro?
In Montenegro, sports betting enthusiasts have several top-notch online bookies to choose from. These sites offer a wide range of sports and events to bet on, along with competitive odds and attractive bonuses.
One of the best betting sites in Montenegro is Bet365, renowned for its high payout rate of 94.25% and extensive diversity in sports offerings. Another top choice is Meridianbet, with a 93.75% payout rate, known for its excellent welcome bonus and variety of bet types. Ivibet also stands out with a 93.56% payout rate and a substantial welcome bonus for new players. Other notable mentions include 1xBet and 22BET, both offering competitive odds and a variety of sports to bet on.
According to another source, 22bet is particularly popular in Montenegro for its user-friendly mobile platform and diverse betting options. Melbet and Betwinner are also among the preferred choices, offering various payment methods, including cryptocurrency options, and creative betting experiences like bet construction.
Additionally, Gambling ‘N Go lists 22Bet, 888Sport, and Karamba as the top three sports betting sites for Montenegro players in 2023. These sites are appreciated for their diverse betting opportunities, user-friendly interfaces, and attractive bonus offers.
Bettors in Montenegro need to choose sites that are not only entertaining but also secure and reliable. These recommended sites meet these criteria, ensuring a safe and enjoyable betting experience.
