FK Zeta


FK Zeta is a professional football club from Golubovci, seat of the Zeta Municipality of Montenegro. It plays in the Montenegrin Third League. The club was the inaugural champion of the Montenegrin First League in 2006–07 season.

History

Period 1927-1997

The club was formed in 1927 under the name FK Danica. During the first decades, they played only non-league matches. From 1947, the club played under the name FK Napredak, and since 1955, the team is playing under the name FK Zeta.
Until the start of the 1970s, FK Zeta played at lowest-rank competitions. First significant success, team from Golubovci made at season 1971–72 with promotion to Montenegrin Republic League. In that, third-level competition in SFR Yugoslavia, FK Zeta spent most of their seasons in following two decades, with greatest result as a second-places team at the end of seasons 1974–75, 1975–76, 1982–83 and 1983–84, but without success to gain a promotion to Yugoslav Second League. At season 1982–83, championship derby FK Berane – FK Zeta attended 10,000 spectators, which was a record attendance in Montenegrin Republic League until the 1999 game FK Jezero – FK Gusinje.
Until the middle of the 1990s, except in Republic League, FK Zeta also played few seasons in Fourth League – Center.

Period 1997-2006

Successful era in FK Zeta history started at season 1997–98. The team won their first champion title in Montenegrin Republic League and secured first promotion to Yugoslav Second League. On their debut in Second League, FK Zeta won fourth place, but historical success come one season later. After hard struggle with Mladost Lučani, team from Golubovci won the title and gained promotion to First Yugoslav League.
Historical first game in the First League, Zeta played at 12 August 2000 against Milicionar in Golubovci. That game at Trešnica stadium was attended by 5,000 supporters. FK Zeta spent six consecutive seasons in Yugoslav First League, often placed at the upper-half of championship table. With FK Zeta promotion to First League, new local rivalry was born – against Budućnost from neighbouring Podgorica.
Zeta made many successful results in the First League, and among them were often victories against two strongest sides – Partizan and Red Star. Except that, FK Zeta became the strongest Montenegrin team in First League at most of the seasons in period 2000–2006.
Highest final placement in top-division of Serbia and Montenegro, Zeta made on season 2004–05. They finished third and qualified for first performance in European competitions. On debut, Zeta was defeated at 2005–06 UEFA Cup second leg, against Bosnian side Široki Brijeg.
Additionally, at the same time, Zeta started producing notable young talent like Miloš Marić who transferred to Greek club Olympiacos in the summer of 2004, as well as brothers Bojan and Nenad Brnović, and Branimir Petrović who were all signed by Partizan, and more recently Milanko Rašković and Nikola Trajković who transferred to Red Star Belgrade.

Period 2006-present

Following Montenegrin independence, FK Zeta participated in the first Montenegrin First League season and became the league's first winners. The following season saw Montenegrin clubs allocated separate European qualifying berths - Zeta thus became the first Montenegrin club to participate in qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Zeta never reclaimed the Montenegrin First League since their 2006–07 triumph; participation in European competition since then was achieved on several occasions through top 4 league finishes.
The 2012–13 season saw Zeta make history by becoming the first Montenegrin club to navigate two rounds of European qualifying in one season; they also navigated past the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League by beating FK Sarajevo from Bosnia and Herzegovina, before losing in the play-off round to PSV Eindhoven. This remains the best performance by a Montenegrin club in a European competition.

First League Record

For the first time, FK Zeta played in Yugoslav First League on season 2000–01. Below is a list of FK Zeta scores in First League by every single season.
SeasonPosGWDLGFGA
2000–011334119143850
2001–02534157124850
2002–03834156135143
2003–041130106143841
2004–0533018575230
2005–06530145114236
2006–0713325446518
2007–0823319955628
2008–09933137133641
2009–10433176104333
2010–1143312383629
2011–1233317975540
2012–13833813124345
2013–14833124173957
2014–15933117154844
2015–16833108153742
2016–1723319683817
2017–186361213114035
2018–19336161373621
2019–2043191482930
2020–21636137163441
2021–221036810183652

Seasons with green background were played in the first league of Yugoslavia or Serbia and Montenegro, together with Serbian clubs.

FK Zeta in European competitions

For the first time, FK Zeta played in European competitions on season 2005–06. Until now, they played ten seasons in European cups, their most successful campaign being in 2012–13, when Zeta reached the play-off round of Europa League.

Honours and achievements

Current squad

Notable players

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

Below is the list of FK Zeta players which made international careers or played for national teams of their countries.
FK Zeta home ground is Stadion Trešnjica which was built during 1996. Since then, the stadium has been renovated several times and near the main ground is another pitch with artificial turf.

FK Zeta has been playing First League games at Trešnjica stadium since 2000. The biggest crowd on a home game was 5,000 spectators in numerous occasions, especially during matches against Budućnost and, earlier, against Partizan and Red Star Belgrade.