Sutjeska Nikšić

Full name	Fudbalski klub Sutjeska (Sutjeska Football Club)
Nicknames	Plavo-bijeli (The Blue-Whites), Plavi (The Blues)
Founded	1920; 106 years ago (1920)
Ground	City stadium "Kraj Bistrice" Nikšić, Montenegro
Capacity	5,214[1]
Owner	Municipality of Nikšić
President	dr Marko Mitrović
Manager	Dejan Jelenić
League	Montenegrin First League
2024–25	Montenegrin First League, 3rd of 10
Website	www.fksutjeska.me
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Fudbalski klub Sutjeska (Montenegrin Cyrillic: Фудбалски клуб Сутјеска) is a professional association football club from Nikšić, Montenegro, currently competing in the Montenegrin First League. The club was established in 1920, and has been known by its current name since 1945. Since the Montenegrin independence in 2006, the club has won five First League titles. FK Sutjeska Nikšić is a part of the Sutjeska Sports Society.

FK Sutjeska was founded in 1927 under the name Sports' club Hajduk (SK Hajduk).^[2] Later on the club changed its name to SK Hercegovac.
Under the name SK Hajduk, the team debuted in official competitions at 1929 – as a participant of Montenegrin Football Championship which was the biggest success at that time. The team from Nikšić were playing in the Montenegrin Championship Finals against SK Crnogorac Cetinje (1–2).^[3] During the season 1932, SK Hercegovac played their first official game against FK Budućnost (1–2)^[4] and that was the first edition of the Montenegrin Derby – the biggest rivalry in Montenegrin football.
Until 1940, the team from Nikšić played only once in the Championship finals. After the beginning of World War II – the team got dissolved.

After the war, the club was refounded (1945) under the name Sutjeska in honour of Yugoslav communists killed in the Battle of Sutjeska. The first game they played after the war was on 3 May 1945, against FK Budućnost in Podgorica (2–4).^[5] Soon after that, team from Nikšić played in the first football competition after World War II – 1946 Montenegrin Republic League, finishing third at the end of the season.
First significant success Sutjeska made after the war was on the 1948/49 season, with gaining promotion to the Yugoslav Third League. During 1955–1964, Sutjeska played nine consecutive seasons in the Yugoslav Second League. As a member of the Second League, Sutjeska participated in semifinals of the 1962–63 Yugoslav Cup.
During the 1963–64 season Sutjeska finished as the champion of the Yugoslav Second League, Sutjeska was promoted to the top-tier competition of SFR Yugoslavia. They debuted in the Yugoslav First League on 9 August 1964, against Dinamo Zagreb. During the sixties and seventies, Sutjeska played four seasons in the First League. On season 1971–72, game between Sutjeska and Crvena Zvezda in Nikšić was attended by 19,000 spectators which broke the record for the highest attendance on a Sutjeska home game.^[6]
During the 1973-74 season, FK Sutjeska debuted in official international competitions. They represented Yugoslavia in the Balkans Cup,^[7] finishing second in Group A against Târgu Mureș and Elbasani.

FK Sutjeska returned to the Yugoslav First League in the 1984–85 season. This time, they spent four consecutive seasons in the top-tier. The best result in the First league Sutjeska made was on the 1984–85 season, finishing ninth. During these seasons, FK Sutjeska and FK Budućnost played the first editions of the Montenegrin Derby in the Yugoslav First League.
Together with Budućnost, FK Sutjeska is one of the two football clubs from Montenegro that have competed in the first league of SFR Yugoslavia. As a result, FK Sutjeska gained considerable prestige and international reputation, and therefore remains one of the biggest sporting institutions in Montenegro. It is the most recognized sports organization in the city of Nikšić.^[8]
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Sutjeska remained at the top football league in FR Yugoslavia. After a great season in 2003, Sutjeska had a notable appearance in European competition in which they eliminated Racing FC Union Luxembourg in the UEFA Intertoto Cup, but lost in the next round against Tampere United.^[9]

Following Montenegrin independence, Sutjeska became a member of the Montenegrin First League. First significant success at that time, the team made was in the Montenegrin Cup 2006–07. They played in the finals, but lost against FK Rudar (1–2). After finishing third on the 2008–09 season, Sutjeska debuted in the UEFA Europa League, but they were eliminated by FC Partizan Minsk from Belarus (1–1; 1–2).^[10]
FK Sutjeska won their first league title on season 2012–13, with five points more than FK Budućnost. During that season, FK Sutjeska home games were watched by more than 7,000 spectators, which was the record-high since the eighties. As Montenegrin champions, Sutjeska participated in UEFA Champions League 2013-14 qualifiers, with elimination in the second round, against Moldavian side FC Sheriff.^[11]
On season 2013–14, FK Sutjeska became the first Montenegrin club to win two league titles in a row. They won the title after the long and dramatic race with FK Lovćen and gained a new opportunity to participate in UEFA Champions League. On second qualifying round, FK Sutjeska again failed against FC Sheriff.
Sutjeska played in 2015–16 UEFA Europa League, with two dramatic games against Hungarian-side Debreceni VSC (2–0; 0–3).
During the 2016–17 season, FK Sutjeska made more success, this time in the Montenegrin Cup. For the second time in their history, they played in a Cup final, but this time they won the title, winning a game against OFK Grbalj (1–0).
From 2017, FK Sutjeska played two impressive seasons, with two new titles and successful result in European competitions. On season 2017–18, led by Nikšić-born manager Nikola Rakojević, they won the title with 22 points more than their biggest rivals and runners-up FK Budućnost. Except that, Sutjeska player Igor Ivanović became the top scorer of the season. Next year, FK Sutjeska, again with the head coach Rakojević, defended the title, this time after more intensive struggle with FK Budućnost. A month later, team from Nikšić made good result in 2019–20 Champions League, as they eliminated Slovan Bratislava in the first leg of qualifiers. They got eliminated on the next stage, against APOEL.
After three consecutive seasons finished with domestic trophies, FK Sutjeska performances on the 2019–20 season were lower, so they finished as runner-ups. During the season, they made biggest away win in the history of Montenegrin Derby, against FK Budućnost in Podgorica (4–1). Except that, they were among the semifinalists of Montenegrin Cup, but the competition was interrupted due to COVID-19.

During their history, FK Sutjeska participated under three different names. Most of the period, they played under today's name.

Period	Name	Full name
1927–1930	SK Hajduk	Sportski klub "Hajduk" / Sport Club "Hajduk"
1930–1941	SK Hercegovac	Sportski klub "Hercegovac" / Sport Club "Hercegovac"
1945–	FK Sutjeska	Fudbalski klub "Sutjeska" / Football Club "Sutjeska"

Below is an overall score of all matches of FK Sutjeska in official competitions since 1946. More details at page List of FK Sutjeska seasons.

Competition Level	Seasons	First season	Last season	Matches	W	D	L	GD
First League	34	1964–65	2019–20	1137	526	260	451	1371:1461
Second League	30	1955–56	2005–06	880	425	158	217	1462:1071
Third League	1	1949–50	1949–50	22	3	5	14	16:42
Republic League	10	1946	1976–77	126	85	15	26	334:131
Playoffs	10	1946–47	2010–11	32	13	7	12	37:48
National Cup	49	1947–48	2019–20	119	48	22	49	157:141
UEFA competitions	8	2003–04	2019–20	24	2	8	14	15:37
Balkans Cup	1	1972–73	1972–73	4	2	0	2	2:4
OVERALL (1946–)				2344	1104	475	785	3394:2935

FK Sutjeska debuted in European competitions in 2003, when they played in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. After Montenegrin independence, Sutjeska played often in UEFA competitions, with two seasons in the Champions League qualifiers. Except participation in UEFA competitions, during the history Sutjeska played once in the Balkans Cup.

Competition	Seasons	First	Last	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD
UEFA Champions League	5	2013–14	2022–23	12	0	3	9	3	23	-20
UEFA Europa League	6	2009–10	2020–21	11	1	3	7	8	16	–8
UEFA Europa Conference League	4	2021–22	2025–26	14	4	4	6	13	18	–5
Intertoto Cup	1	2003	2003	4	1	2	1	4	2	+2
OVERALL	16 seasons			37	6	12	23	28	59	-31

FK Sutjeska played one season in the Balkans Cup, a regional competition for clubs from Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey. In the 1973-74 season, they played against Romanian team Târgu Mureș and Elbasani from Albania, finishing second in Group A.

National Championships – 5

• Montenegrin First League:
  • Winners (5): 2012–13, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22
  • Runners-up (4): 2014–15, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2022–23

National Cups – 2

• Montenegrin Cup:
  • Winners (2): 2016–17, 2022–23
  • Runners-up (1): 2006–07

Championships (1922–1940)

• Montenegrin Championship (1922–1940)
  • Runners-up (1): 1929

"The Dukes" (Vojvode) is the name for the most ardent Sutjeska fans. They were established in 1988 in Nikšić and today constitute one of the most numerous groups of supporters in Montenegro.^[12] Their place is in the eastern stand, and they traditionally follow all the matches of all sports that compete under the "Sutjeska" name, both home and away matches.^[13] Their biggest rivals are FK Budućnost Podgorica, as the "Barbarians" (Varvari) are the other large group of supporters in the country.^[14] They also have a rivalry with Fap mašina of Čelik Nikšić, with whom they contest the Nikšić derby.^[15]

Sutjeska's youth academy is one of the most famous and recognized in Montenegro along with FK Budućnost. The first Sutjeska player to have been selected for the Yugoslav national team was Vojin Lazarević, who would later on have a bright career with Red Star Belgrade. Lazarević was capped by the Yugoslav senior side in a friendly match against Romania in 1964 while still playing in Nikšić.^[16]

In 1976, a notably talented generation of the youth team became the champions of Yugoslavia; the team included names that would later turn to be successful football players like Brajan Nenezić, Mojaš Radonjić, and Pero Giljen. Pero's son Vladan Giljen became a successful goalkeeper after learning his trade in Sutjeska. Four years after the famed 1976 generation made its first mark in Yugoslav football, Sutjeska won the Yugoslav Cup in 1980 becoming the only Yugoslav club at the time to have won both trophies.

In 2010, Sutjeska's cadet team (for under-17 players) were champions of Montenegro in the country's U-17 league. During the same year, Sutjeska's U-19 team won the Gallipoli Cup in Italy, one of the most prestigious international tournaments for players of this age group. The U-19 teams of U.S. Lecce, A.S. Bari, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and FC Krylia Sovetov Samara all competed for the title which Sutjeska's youth team won.

Most notably, Sutjeska was the club in which the famous former Juventus FC striker Mirko Vučinić began his career.^[17]

City stadium "Kraj Bistrice" was built during 1946. During the history, Stadium Kraj Bistrice, was renovated a few times. During the 60's, there were stands on all four sides, and the capacity of the stadium was 15,000 spectators. After 2000, there was a renovation of the stadium. In 2001, the old south and north stands were torn down, and a new east stand was built, so capacity of stadium was reduced to 10,800 spectators. After the Montenegrin independence, following the UEFA rules, the stadium capacity was reduced to 5,214 seats. At 2015, floodlights were installed, and the first match in the night-term occurred on 7 August 2016 (FK Sutjeska – FK Lovćen). Located around the building is a spacious parking lot. The sports complex adjacent to the stadium is a modern training field with synthetic surface and a mini auditorium space.

As of 10 December 2025^[18]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  MNE Vladan Giljen (captain) 2 DF  MNE Aleksa Golubović 3 MF  SRB Aleksandar Desančić 5 DF  MNE Igor Pajović 6 DF  MNE Radoš Dedić 7 FW  MNE Ivan Vukčević 9 FW  MNE Petar Aničić 10 FW  MNE Balša Tošković 15 DF  MNE Boris Kopitović 16 DF  MNE Ognjen Đinović 17 DF  MNE Todor Mijanić 19 MF  MNE Marko Šimun

No. Pos. Nation Player 22 DF  MNE Andrija Ražnatović 23 GK  MNE Radoš Dubljević 24 DF  MNE Vasilije Čavor 25 DF  MNE Marko Đukanović 27 MF  SEN Mamadou Camara 31 GK  MNE Stojan Vukčević 34 DF  MNE Aleksandar Vlahović 55 MF  MNE Aleksandar Šćekić 70 FW  MNE Vasko Kalezić 88 MF  MNE Medo Juković 89 FW  SRB Nikola Furtula 91 DF  MNE Bojan Damjanović

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

• Most performances: Brajan Nenezić – 293/37 (1975–1989)
• Top goalscorer: Željko Bajčeta – 43 (1980–1990)

For the list of former and current players with Wikipedia article, please see Category:FK Sutjeska Nikšić players.

During the history, several notable players started their career or played for FK Sutjeska. Most known are Nikšić-born players Mirko Vučinić, Andrija Delibašić, Miodrag Bajović, Miladin Bečanović, Vojin Lazarević, Branko Samatović, Pero Giljen, Nebojša Bandović and Brajan Nenezić. The player with the most appearances is Brajan Nenezić, who played 293 matches in the 1975–1989 period.

Below is a list of players who, during their career, played for FK Sutjeska and represented their countries at the full international level.

Current technical staff

Manager: Dejan Jelenić Assistant coach: Boris Miličković Goalkeeping coach: Dragoslav Albijanić Fitness coach: Kosta Goranović Physiotherapist: Ivan Matović Doctor: Veselin Bulatović

• Official kit supplier – (2018–2019) NAAI, (2019–2025) Joma, (2025–) Ardu Sport

• List of FK Sutjeska Nikšić seasons
• Montenegrin Derby
• Montenegrin First League
• Montenegrin clubs in Yugoslav football competitions (1946–2006)
• Nikšić
• KK Sutjeska Nikšić
• RK Sutjeska Nikšić

• Bjelica, Duško; Gardašević, Jovan; Vasiljević, Ivan (11 March 2018). "Morphological Characteristics and Body Composition of Football Players FC Sutjeska and FC Mladost in Montenegro". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.3138134. eISSN 1556-5068.

• Official website