OFK Grbalj - European Competitions

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 Bistrita 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.