First Federal Basketball League

The First Federal Basketball League (Serbo-Croatian: Prva savezna košarkaška liga) was the highest tier level men's professional club basketball competition in the former country of SFR Yugoslavia. Founded in 1945, and folded in 1992 (1991–92 Winer Broker YUBA League), it was run by the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia. With a total of 16 European-wide trophy winners and 11 finalists, the Yugoslav First Basketball League was one of the strongest European national domestic basketball leagues of all time.

First Federal Basketball League

Founded	1945
Folded	1992
Countries	Yugoslavia
Level on pyramid	1st Tier (Yugoslavia)
Relegation to	First B Federal League
Related competitions	Yugoslav Basketball Cup
Last champions	Partizan (5th title)
Most championships	Crvena zvezda (12 titles)
All-time top scorer	Vinko Jelovac (7,351)

Although each of the former Yugoslav countries now have their own national domestic leagues, the six nations also now take part in the ABA League (commonly known as the Adriatic League), which was founded in 2001; and which is, the closest basketball league in existence today, that is similar to the former Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League.

History

After the end of Second World War in Yugoslavia in 1945, there arose a need for athletic development in the fledgling nation. Post-WW2 Yugoslavia was (with the exception of major cities such as Belgrade, Ljubljana, Zagreb, and Sarajevo) for the most part lacking in competitive opportunities in sports. In response to this, 1945 and 1946 saw an explosion of new clubs and leagues for every sport, the basketball league being part of this phenomenon.

The very first competition under the newly formed Yugoslav Basketball League in 1945, drawing parallel to the Yugoslav First League (of football), was more or less a nationwide affirmation of unity. Instead of individual clubs competing in the usual fashion, there were only eight teams. Six representing each state within Yugoslavia, one representing the province of Vojvodina, and the last representing the Yugoslav People's Army.

Only in the 1970s did the basketball culture of Yugoslavia truly come to enjoy recognition as the top nation in basketball. Breaking away from the dominance of the Soviet Union, the Yugoslav league gave rise to stars that would go on to win multiple Basketball World Championships and European Basketball Championships. After a decade of dominance, the 1980s saw a disappointing slump of talent in the Yugoslav Basketball League.

Once again the world witnessed a sleeping giant come awake in the early 90s as Yugoslavia won two straight European Basketball Championships and a World Basketball Championship. This momentum was swiftly halted by the ethnic strife which broke out in 1991. Clubs from SR Slovenia and SR Croatia withdrew from the league so that the 1991–92 season, the competition's last, was contested without them. The country got divided into five successor republics, each founding their own basketball federations with the exception of Serbia and Montenegro, which retained the name Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the YUBA League.

Despite all these changes, the joint league of clubs from the former Yugoslavia proved to be a winning league format formula, so on 3 July 2001, the Adriatic League was founded. It features teams from all the former Yugoslav states, and it exists alongside scaled-down versions of the individual national domestic leagues of each of the former Yugoslav states.

Title holders

• 1945: Yugoslav Army
• 1946: Crvena zvezda
• 1947: Crvena zvezda
• 1948: Crvena zvezda
• 1949: Crvena zvezda
• 1950: Crvena zvezda
• 1951: Crvena zvezda
• 1952: Crvena zvezda
• 1953: Crvena zvezda
• 1954: Crvena zvezda
• 1955: Crvena zvezda
• 1956: Proleter Zrenjanin
• 1957: AŠK Olimpija
• 1958: OKK Beograd
• 1959: AŠK Olimpija
• 1960: OKK Beograd
• ......1961: AŠK Olimpija
• ......1962: AŠK Olimpija
• ......1963: OKK Beograd
• ......1964: OKK Beograd
• ......1965: Zadar
• ......1966: AŠK Olimpija
• ......1967: Zadar
• 1967–68: Zadar
• 1968–69: Crvena zvezda
• 1969–70: AŠK Olimpija
• 1970–71: Jugoplastika
• 1971–72: Crvena zvezda
• 1972–73: Radnički Belgrade
• 1973–74: Zadar
• 1974–75: Zadar
• 1975–76: Partizan
• 1976–77: Jugoplastika
• 1977–78: Bosna
• 1978–79: Partizan
• 1979–80: Bosna
• 1980–81: Partizan
• 1981–82: Cibona
• 1982–83: Bosna^{[Note 1][2]}
• 1983–84: Cibona
• 1984–85: Cibona
• 1985–86: Zadar
• 1986–87: Partizan
• 1987–88: Jugoplastika
• 1988–89: Jugoplastika
• 1989–90: Jugoplastika
• 1990–91: POP 84
• 1991–92: Partizan

Performance by club

Titles	Club	Years
12	Crvena zvezda	1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1968–69, 1971–72
6	Olimpija	1957, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1969–70
	Zadar	1965, 1967, 1967–68, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1985–86
	Split	1970–71, 1976–77, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91
5	Partizan	1975–76, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1986–87, 1991–92
4	OKK Beograd	1958, 1960, 1963, 1964
3	Bosna	1977–78, 1979–80, 1982–83
	Cibona	1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85
1	Yugoslav Army	1945
	Proleter Zrenjanin	1956
	Radnički Belgrade	1972–73

Performance by constitutional republics

Titles	Republic
23	SR Serbia
15	SR Croatia
6	SR Slovenia
3	SR Bosnia and Herzegovina

Playoff finals

Playoffs, as a way of determining the Yugoslav First Basketball League champion following the regular season, got instituted in 1981 ahead of the 1981–82 season.

Season	Home court advantage	Coach	Result	Home court disadvantage	Coach	1st of Regular Season	Record
1981–82	Partizan	Borislav Ćorković	0–2	Cibona	Mirko Novosel	Partizan	18–4
1982–83	Šibenka	Vlade Đurović	1–2	Bosna	Svetislav Pešić	Šibenka	16–6
1983–84	Cibona	Mirko Novosel	2–1	Crvena zvezda	Ranko Žeravica	Cibona	16–6
1984–85	Cibona	Željko Pavličević	2–1	Crvena zvezda	Ranko Žeravica	Cibona	19–3
1985–86	Cibona	Željko Pavličević	1–2	Zadar	Vlade Đurović	Cibona	21–1
1986–87	Partizan	Duško Vujošević	2–0	Crvena zvezda	Vlade Đurović	Cibona	22–0
1987–88	Jugoplastika	Božidar Maljković	2–1	Partizan	Duško Vujošević	Jugoplastika	21–1
1988–89	Partizan	Duško Vujošević	0–2	Jugoplastika	Božidar Maljković	Partizan	16–6
1989–90	Jugoplastika	Božidar Maljković	3–1	Crvena zvezda	Zoran Slavnić	Jugoplastika	19–3
1990–91	POP 84	Željko Pavličević	3–0	Partizan	Duško Vujošević	Pop 84	19–3
1991–92	Partizan	Željko Obradović	3–0	Crvena zvezda	Duško Vujošević	Partizan	20–2

Source: official website archive^[3]

All-time participants

1st	Champions
2nd	Runners-up
SF	Semi-finalists
QF	Quarter-finalists
Q	Play-in qualifying round
	Relegated
R	Regular season champions
S	Yugoslav Second League clubs in Playoff phase

Team	61	62	63	64	65	66	67	68	69	70	71	72	73	74	75	76	77	78	79	80	81	82	83	84	85	86	87	88	89	90	91	92	Total seasons	Highest finish
Bosna	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	4th	7th	3rd	2nd	1st	4th	1st	7th	QF	2nd	SF	QF	QF	SF	Q	SF	6th	8th	5th
Čelik	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–
Igman Ilidža	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Sloboda Tuzla	9th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	11th	–	–	–	QS	11th	–	–	11th	–	SF
Željezničar Sarajevo	–	9th	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–	–	–	11th	14th	–	13th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Cibona	2nd	4th	6th	6th	4th	7th	8th	5th	5th	4th	2nd	3rd	8th	10th	8th	7th	4th	5th	3rd	3rd	2nd	1st	QF	1stR	1stR	2ndR	SFR	SF	7th	SF	SF	Withdrawn
Dalvin	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Kvarner	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	14th	–	8th	11th	12th	–	12th	QS	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Mladost	–	10th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Slavonski Brod	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–	–	11th	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Split	–	–	–	9th	6th	5th	6th	6th	3rd	3rd	1st	2nd	6th	2nd	2nd	2nd	1st	3rd	2nd	2nd	11th	QFS	QF	10th	Q	SF	QF	1stR	1st	1stR	1stR	Withdrawn
Šibenka	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	8th	4th	QF	1stR	QF	Q	QF	QF	QF	10th	–	11th	–
Zadar	4th	3rd	5th	2nd	1st	3rd	1st	1st	4th	6th	7th	10th	9th	1st	1st	8th	11th	6th	10th	6th	3rd	SF	QF	SF	SF	1st	QF	QF	5th	SF	SF	Withdrawn
Zagreb	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	9th	–	Withdrawn
Zrinjevac	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	13th	–	12th	13th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Željezničar Karlovac	7th	7th	4th	5th	7th	6th	5th	8th	9th	10th	12th	11th	14th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
MZT Skopje	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	QS	QF	11th	–	–	–	–
Rabotnički	–	–	–	–	11th	–	11th	–	10th	7th	5th	5th	10th	11th	5th	9th	12th	13th	–	9th	10th	12th	QS	11th	QS	Q	12th	–	–	–	–	SF
Budućnost	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	8th	Q	10th	Q	QF	QF	Q	12th	–	–	10th	10th
Ivangrad	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Atlas	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	QS	9th	12th	–	QS	QF	8th	10th	6th	12th
OKK Beograd	3rd	2nd	1st	1st	3rd	8th	4th	7th	8th	5th	4th	8th	7th	9th	11th	4th	5th	12th	9th	11th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Borac Čačak	–	–	–	–	–	10th	10th	11th	7th	8th	9th	9th	4th	8th	9th	14th	–	10th	5th	12th	–	10th	9th	QF	QF	Q	Q	Q	12th	–	–	–
Crvena zvezda	6th	8th	8th	3rd	8th	4th	3rd	3rd	1st	2nd	3rd	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	8th	7th	5th	5th	SF	SF	2nd	2nd	QF	2nd	QF	SF	2nd	9th	2nd
Dinamo Pančevo	10th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Metalac Valjevo	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	12th	11th	9th	9th	11th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Partizan	5th	6th	2nd	7th	5th	2nd	7th	4th	6th	9th	10th	6th	3rd	6th	3rd	1st	3rd	2nd	1st	4th	1st	2ndR	SF	QF	SF	SF	1st	2nd	2ndR	8th	2nd	1stR
Proleter Zrenjanin	–	–	10th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	13th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Radnički Beograd	8th	5th	7th	8th	9th	9th	9th	9th	11th	11th	8th	4th	1st	5th	10th	6th	7th	7th	6th	10th	9th	9th	11th	QFS	11th	–	–	–	–	–	–	9th
Zastava Kragujevac	–	–	9th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Sloboda Užice	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	QS	11th	–	–	7th
Sloga	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	QS	Q	12th	–	–	–	–	–	11th
Spartak Subotica	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	6th
Šabac	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–
Vojvodina	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	13th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	QS	9th	5th	5th	8th
Branik	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Olimpija	1st	1st	3rd	4th	2nd	1st	2nd	2nd	2nd	1st	6th	7th	5th	7th	6th	10th	10th	4th	8th	7th	6th	QF	QF	12th	QFS	11th	QS	SF	6th	7th	7th	Withdrawn
Plama Pur	–	–	–	–	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
Slovan	–	–	–	10th	10th	11th	–	10th	12th	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–

Clubs in European and worldwide competitions

Main article: Yugoslav basketball clubs in European and worldwide competitions

Notable players

Award winners

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Krešimir Ćosić (1996) Dražen Petrović (2002) Dražen Dalipagić (2004) Dino Rađa (2018) Vlade Divac (2019) Toni Kukoč (2021) FIBA Hall of Fame Krešimir Ćosić (2007) Dražen Dalipagić (2007) Ivo Daneu (2007) Mirza Delibašić (2007) Radivoj Korać (2007) Dražen Petrović (2007) Vlade Divac (2010) Dragan Kićanović (2010) Zoran Slavnić (2013) FIBA's 50 Greatest Players Krešimir Ćosić (1991) Dražen Dalipagić (1991) Ivo Daneu (1991) Mirza Delibašić (1991) Vlade Divac (1991) Dragan Kićanović (1991) Radivoj Korać (1991) Toni Kukoč (1991) Dražen Petrović (1991) Dino Rađa (1991) Petar Skansi (1991) Zoran Slavnić (1991) 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors Dejan Bodiroga (2008) Krešimir Ćosić (2008) Predrag Danilović (2008) Mirza Delibašić (2008) Vlade Divac (2008) Aleksandar Đorđević (2008) Radivoj Korać (2008) Toni Kukoč (2008) Dražen Petrović (2008) Dino Rađa (2008) EuroLeague Final Four MVP Dino Rađa (1989) Toni Kukoč (1990, 1991, 1993) Predrag Danilović (1992) Žarko Paspalj (1994) Zoran Savić (1998) Željko Rebrača (2000) Dejan Bodiroga (2002, 2003) EuroLeague Finals Top Scorer Petar Skansi (1972) Žarko Varajić (1979) Dražen Petrović (1985) FIBA Saporta Cup Finals Top Scorer Zoran Slavnić (1974, 1975) Srećko Jarić (1977) Andro Knego (1982) Dragan Kićanović (1983) Dražen Petrović (1987, 1989) Branislav Prelević (1991, 1992, 1996) Roman Horvat (1994) Petar Naumoski (1995, 2002) Predrag Danilović (2000) FIBA Korać Cup Finals Top Scorer Nikola Plećaš (1972) Dražen Dalipagić (1974, 1978) Željko Jerkov (1977) Dragan Kićanović (1979) Dražen Petrović (1988) Vlade Divac (1989) Aleksandar Đorđević (1993, 1999) Teoman Alibegović (1995) Petar Naumoski (1996) Euroscar Dražen Dalipagić (1980) Dragan Kićanović (1981, 1982) Dražen Petrović (1986, 1989, 1992, 1993) Toni Kukoč (1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998) Mr. Europa Dražen Dalipagić (1977, 1978) Dragan Kićanović (1981, 1982) Dražen Petrović (1986, 1993) Vlade Divac (1989) Toni Kukoč (1990, 1991, 1992, 1996) Aleksandar Đorđević (1994, 1995)

Statistical leaders

Main article: Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League Top Scorer

Main article: Yugoslav First Federal Basketball League career stats leaders

Successor leagues

• YUBA League (1992–2006)
• HT Premijer liga (1991–present)
• Premier A League (1991–present)
• Basketball Championship (1993–present)
• First League (1992–present)
• Basketball League (2006–present)
• Basketball League (2006–present)
• Adriatic League (2001–present)

See also

• Yugoslav 1. B Federal Basketball League
• Yugoslav Basketball Cup

Notes

1. On Saturday, 9 April 1983 at Baldekin Hall in Šibenik, Šibenka and Bosna played the deciding game 3 of their best-of-three playoff final series. The contest was decided in the very last second: Bosna's Sabit Hadžić got called for a foul on Šibenka's Dražen Petrović who proceeded to score two free throws that won the game. The next morning, after watching video replays of the game's last moments, the presidency of the Basketball Federation of Yugoslavia (KSJ) established that the foul happened after time had already elapsed. The game was thus voided and a rematch was ordered at a neutral venue in Novi Sad. Unhappy with the decision Šibenka decided to boycott it, refusing to show up for the rematch. The championship got awarded to Bosna.^[1]