ФК Зета: История и достижения футбольного клуба из Голубоваца

Montenegrin association football club

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

The club was formed in 1927 under the name FK Danica. During the first decades, they played only non league matches. From 194g, the club played under the name FK Napredak, and since 1955, the team is playing under the name FK Zeta. Until the start of seventies, 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 nineties, except in Republic League, FK Zeta also played few seasons in Fourth League – Center.

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 (1999 2000). 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 (4:0) 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.

Following Montenegrin independence, FK Zeta participated in the first Montenegrin First League season (2006 07) 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.

FK Zeta home ground is Stadion Trešnjica, built during the 1996. Until now, stadium is renovated several times (last time 2016) and near the main ground is built another pitch with artificial turf. FK Zeta is playing First League games at Trešnjica stadium from 2000. Biggest crowd on games was 5,000 in numerous occasions, especially during the matches against Budućnost and, earlier, against Partizan and Red Star Belgrade.