Yugoslav Handball Championship


The Yugoslav Handball Championship was the highest level competition in men's team handball in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, played regularly for almost four decades between 1953 and 1991, before being abandoned due to the breakup of Yugoslavia.
The first five editions from 1953 to 1957 were decided via a finals play-off tournament contested by clubs who had qualified in regional competitions, before a regular round-robin league format was introduced for the 1957–58 season. The league featured clubs from all of Yugoslavia's federal subjects, with the most successful being RK Bjelovar with 9 titles, followed by RK Borac and RK Metaloplastika with 7 titles each.
Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, the competition was eventually succeeded by the following handball leagues:

European success

Traditionally one of the strongest handball leagues in Europe, several Yugoslav clubs went on to compete with considerable success in the European Cup, the premier continental handball competition. Prior to the breakup of Yugoslavia, six Yugoslav clubs had managed to reach the European finals 11 times, winning four titles.
ClubYears wonYears runners-upYears semi-finalists
Metaloplastika2131984–85, 1985–861983–841982–83, 1986–87, 1987–88
Partizan Bjelovar1221971–721961–62, 1972–731967–68, 1970–71
Borac Banja Luka11—1975–761974–75
Medveščak—1—1964–65
Slovan—1—1980–81
Proleter—1—1990–91
Crvenka——11969–70

Notable clubs