FK Grbalj
Encyclopedia
OFK Grbalj is a football club based in the town of Radanovići (municipality of Kotor
) in Montenegro
. Prior to the independence and the establishment of Montenegrin first division, the side played a minor role in regional, and more recently republican second division level. Few could have predicted the level of success they would enjoy in the Montenegrin first division, but after two successful seasons in a row and subsequent respectable displays in the UEFA Intertoto Cup
, the former minnows have established themselves as one of the leading Montenegrin
clubs.
and Budućnost
. The subsequent season was much more competitive, and Grbalj struggled in the first half of the season to keep up with the new divisional powerhouse Mogren
and a strong Rudar team. But the side fought bravely and snatched the 4th place in the dying rounds of the season.
Prior to the 2008/09 season, Grbalj was given a lot of attention by the national media and they were even awarded with a potential title challenger tag. The departure of creative forwards Dražen Ajković to Budućnost
and Božo Milić
to Petrovac
was quickly made up for when the club signed perspective stirker Marko Kasalica from Sutjeska and the former Zeta
, Budućnost
and Mogren
journeyman forward Dražen Milić.
The new manager, Nebojša Vignjević
, quickly became the fans' favorite with preference for high-tempo football and the hard-working Grbalj team impressed once again at the start of season by cruising to 2-1 victories against two title contenders - Budućnost
and Mogren
.
team. Nevertheless, the European debutants from Montenegro
had impressed in both matches, and failed to materialize the advantage they had on the pitch by conceding two cheap goals away from home.
With a good form carrying on after a successful 2007/08 season in the national league, one season of European competition experience already behind them, and a talented manager Nebojša Vignjević
at helm, Grbalj were much more confident about their second European campaign. This confidence was only bolstered after the draw pitched them against NK Čelik Zenica
, a Bosnian side which Vignjević felt Grbalj could play on even terms with. The outcome were the two matches in which Grbalj routinely knocked-out their opponents, losing 3-2 in a tight match away from home (after an early lead), and dominating the return game played in Nikšić
to a decisive 2-1 victory.
The second round draw was not so favorable for the Montenegrins
, facing them off against an ambitious Sivasspor
of Turkey
, yet it was in these two games that the motivated Grbalj side produced the most breathtaking displays of football. After failing to capitalize on a lead at home and succumbing to an unlucky 2-2 draw, the team put up a hard fight away from home, missing several scoring opportunities before being punished by Sivasspor
with an 85' minute goal.
Kotor
Kotor is a coastal city in Montenegro. It is located in a secluded part of the Gulf of Kotor. The city has a population of 13,510 and is the administrative center of the municipality....
) in Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
. Prior to the independence and the establishment of Montenegrin first division, the side played a minor role in regional, and more recently republican second division level. Few could have predicted the level of success they would enjoy in the Montenegrin first division, but after two successful seasons in a row and subsequent respectable displays in the UEFA Intertoto Cup
UEFA Intertoto Cup
The UEFA Intertoto Cup, also abbreviated as UI Cup and originally called the International Football Cup, was a summer football competition for European clubs that had not qualified for one of the two major UEFA competitions, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup. The competition was discontinued...
, the former minnows have established themselves as one of the leading Montenegrin
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
clubs.
Recent Seasons
The Grbalj side claimed an impressive third place in the inaugural season of Montenegrin first division, 2006/07, just behind the two clubs that were deemed invincible in the national competitions, ZetaFK Zeta
FK Zeta is a football club from Montenegro. It is based in Golubovci, a suburb of Podgorica.- History :The club was formed in 1927 as FK Danica. In 1945 it was renamed to FK Napredak. In 1955 it was renamed to FK Zeta....
and Budućnost
FK Buducnost Podgorica
FK Budućnost is a football club from Podgorica, Montenegro, currently competing in the First League of Montenegro. Its colours are blue and white. FK Buducnost is a part of the Budućnost sport society.-History:...
. The subsequent season was much more competitive, and Grbalj struggled in the first half of the season to keep up with the new divisional powerhouse Mogren
FK Mogren
FK Mogren is a football club based in Budva, Montenegro, currently competing in the Montenegrin First League.-History:The club was founded in 1920.The Mogren at its inception called Budva FK, and from 1991 was called FK Mogren....
and a strong Rudar team. But the side fought bravely and snatched the 4th place in the dying rounds of the season.
Prior to the 2008/09 season, Grbalj was given a lot of attention by the national media and they were even awarded with a potential title challenger tag. The departure of creative forwards Dražen Ajković to Budućnost
FK Buducnost Podgorica
FK Budućnost is a football club from Podgorica, Montenegro, currently competing in the First League of Montenegro. Its colours are blue and white. FK Buducnost is a part of the Budućnost sport society.-History:...
and Božo Milić
Božo Milić
Božo Milić is a Montenegrin professional footballer.-External sources:* * * * * *...
to Petrovac
FK Petrovac
OFK Petrovac is a football club based in Petrovac, Montenegro. , it plays in First League of Montenegro.In the 2008/09 season Petrovac won the Montenegrin Cup.They played in the UEFA Europa League in season 2009-2010,reaching the 3rd qualifying round after eliminating Anorthosis Famagusta.- OFK...
was quickly made up for when the club signed perspective stirker Marko Kasalica from Sutjeska and the former Zeta
FK Zeta
FK Zeta is a football club from Montenegro. It is based in Golubovci, a suburb of Podgorica.- History :The club was formed in 1927 as FK Danica. In 1945 it was renamed to FK Napredak. In 1955 it was renamed to FK Zeta....
, Budućnost
FK Buducnost Podgorica
FK Budućnost is a football club from Podgorica, Montenegro, currently competing in the First League of Montenegro. Its colours are blue and white. FK Buducnost is a part of the Budućnost sport society.-History:...
and Mogren
FK Mogren
FK Mogren is a football club based in Budva, Montenegro, currently competing in the Montenegrin First League.-History:The club was founded in 1920.The Mogren at its inception called Budva FK, and from 1991 was called FK Mogren....
journeyman forward Dražen Milić.
The new manager, Nebojša Vignjević
Nebojša Vignjević
Nebojša Vignjević is a former footballer and current coach, currently head coach of FK Rad.He also played for the Toronto Lynx in the early 2000s along with his brother Nikola....
, quickly became the fans' favorite with preference for high-tempo football and the hard-working Grbalj team impressed once again at the start of season by cruising to 2-1 victories against two title contenders - Budućnost
FK Buducnost Podgorica
FK Budućnost is a football club from Podgorica, Montenegro, currently competing in the First League of Montenegro. Its colours are blue and white. FK Buducnost is a part of the Budućnost sport society.-History:...
and Mogren
FK Mogren
FK Mogren is a football club based in Budva, Montenegro, currently competing in the Montenegrin First League.-History:The club was founded in 1920.The Mogren at its inception called Budva FK, and from 1991 was called FK Mogren....
.
European Competitions
In the 2007/08 season, FK Grbalj participated in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, thus becoming the first Montenegrin league side to ever compete in a European competitions. They were knocked out in the first round by an ambitious Romanian AFC Gloria 1922 BistritaGloria Bistrita
Gloria Bistriţa is a Romanian professional football club from Bistriţa, Bistriţa-Năsăud County.-History:The club was founded on July 6, 1922 and among the founding staff members there were: Simion Sbârcea as the club's president, Teofil Moldovan as the club's secretary, Ion Bota, Dumitru Hara,...
team. Nevertheless, the European debutants from Montenegro
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
had impressed in both matches, and failed to materialize the advantage they had on the pitch by conceding two cheap goals away from home.
With a good form carrying on after a successful 2007/08 season in the national league, one season of European competition experience already behind them, and a talented manager Nebojša Vignjević
Nebojša Vignjević
Nebojša Vignjević is a former footballer and current coach, currently head coach of FK Rad.He also played for the Toronto Lynx in the early 2000s along with his brother Nikola....
at helm, Grbalj were much more confident about their second European campaign. This confidence was only bolstered after the draw pitched them against NK Čelik Zenica
NK Celik Zenica
NK Čelik is a football club from Bosnia and Herzegovina, playing in the city of Zenica.The name Čelik means "Steel" in Bosnian - it is derived from Turkish çelik...
, a Bosnian side which Vignjević felt Grbalj could play on even terms with. The outcome were the two matches in which Grbalj routinely knocked-out their opponents, losing 3-2 in a tight match away from home (after an early lead), and dominating the return game played in Nikšić
Nikšić
Nikšić is a city in Montenegro . In 2003 the city had a total population about 75,000.Nikšić is located in Nikšić plain, at the foot of Mount Trebjesa. It is the center of the municipality , which is the largest in Montenegro by area...
to a decisive 2-1 victory.
The second round draw was not so favorable for the Montenegrins
Montenegro
Montenegro Montenegrin: Crna Gora Црна Гора , meaning "Black Mountain") is a country located in Southeastern Europe. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea to the south-west and is bordered by Croatia to the west, Bosnia and Herzegovina to the northwest, Serbia to the northeast and Albania to the...
, facing them off against an ambitious Sivasspor
Sivasspor
Sivasspor is a Turkish sports club based in Sivas, Turkey formed in the year 1967. They play in the Turkish Süper Lig. Their manager is currently Riza Calimbay. They finished 15th in the 2010–11 Süper Lig. Their current captain is Hayrettin Yerlikaya....
of Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, yet it was in these two games that the motivated Grbalj side produced the most breathtaking displays of football. After failing to capitalize on a lead at home and succumbing to an unlucky 2-2 draw, the team put up a hard fight away from home, missing several scoring opportunities before being punished by Sivasspor
Sivasspor
Sivasspor is a Turkish sports club based in Sivas, Turkey formed in the year 1967. They play in the Turkish Süper Lig. Their manager is currently Riza Calimbay. They finished 15th in the 2010–11 Süper Lig. Their current captain is Hayrettin Yerlikaya....
with an 85' minute goal.