The first months after the restoration of independence, the first season of the First Montenegrin Football League and Zeta's first title now seem far away - the time has already come for the 20th page of the highest ranking in our country.
The anniversary season begins on an atypical football day, and what could be inferred is that it will hardly have a dominant team like Buducnost was during the previous championship.
At the same time, what can particularly motivate teams fighting for the top will be Europe, since after three years our football will once again have four representatives in UEFA competitions.
The future is (not) the favorite
The title is being defended by the biggest Montenegrin football club - Buducnost officially lifted the trophy last season in April, although it was clear much earlier that there was no worthy rival. Everything looked idyllic, it seemed that domination was in store for the coming years, but a lot has happened in the Podgorica club since that April.
First of all, because Buducnost was left without key players during 2025. Milan Vukotić i Andrije Bulatović, and the talented striker no longer wears the blue and white jersey Andrej Kostic, while European matches showed that adequate reinforcements had not arrived. In addition to all that, events at the club, damaged interpersonal relations with the former coach Ivan Brnović and the engagement of a new Nenad Lalatović A few days before the European premiere, they clearly left a strong impact.
While Buducnost weakened their team, the others strengthened, so we should expect a much more interesting championship than last year. However, the Podgorica club is always the favorite in Montenegrin conditions, so anything other than an eighth title would be a major failure.
- It is a big challenge for me to be the coach of Buducnost and to work in Montenegro. I am new to the championship, but I am happy to live in Podgorica, to work in the biggest club in the country, and I hope that we will all be happy at the end of the season, both the fans and the players, said Lalatović before the first match that Buducnost will play tonight (20 pm) against Jezera in Berane.
Nine teams for four European spots
One of the important reasons why other teams have strengthened their ranks is the ever easier passage into UEFA competitions - nine teams will fight for four places under the European sun, after it recently became clear that Arsenal will not be able to play outside Montenegro for the next 10 years due to match-fixing.
Three tickets to Europe come from placing in the league, one in the Cup, and since it is difficult to expect a second-league team to celebrate in a more massive competition, it is clear that almost half of the league will dream of UEFA competitions.
This summer also showed how much the games under the auspices of UEFA pay off, as Sutjeska and Dečić earned almost 2 euros each for advancing to the 800.000nd round of the Conference League qualifiers.
Europe has, therefore, influenced many teams to strengthen, all of which means stronger competition which should ultimately at least slightly increase the quality of the domestic championship.
Several candidates for the throne
Thus, the main "challengers" of Buducnost will be Sutjeska, Dečić, and even Mornar, who strengthened during the summer, but we should not forget Petrovac and Bokelj.
Particularly dangerous could be the "sky blue" from the stadium under Mali Brdo, who worked peacefully this summer after failing to obtain a European license.
On the other hand, former champions from Nikšić and Tuzi have shown during European matches that they will be title contenders, and Sutjeska is expected to play better and better as the practically new team, stronger with 10 players who arrived this summer, gets into shape.
Along with the duel in Berane, Sutjeska and Mornar will play the most interesting match of the first round, which starts in Nikšić at 21 p.m.
- Mornar has changed the team a little, but also kept a good number of players from last season and it is certain that they are entering the championship with ambitions to win a place in Europe and to be as well placed as possible. Names that have something like that prove them right. Knowing this team, we can assume what their strengths and weaknesses are and that way we can prepare and start the domestic season in the right way - he said Milija Savović, coach of Sutjeska.
Ambitions in the 20th season of the Meridian 1st CFL, and the ninth with 10 teams, are also being shown by newcomer Mladost DG, as well as Jedinstvo, and Jezero, which has established itself as a stable first-league team.
MERIDIANBET 1. CFL, 1. ROUND
PETROVAC - BOKELJ 20.00
Referee: Nikola Dabanović (Podgorica)
LAKE - THE FUTURE 20.00
Referee: Miloš Savović (Podgorica)
DEČIĆ - YOUTH DG 20.00
Referee: Savo Vujović (Cetinje)
ARSENAL - UNITED 20.00
Referee: Nikola Cvijović (Budva)
SUTJESKA - SAILOR 21.00
Referee: Dalibor Vujisić (Podgorica)
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