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NK Istra 1961

Association football club in Croatia

Association football club in Croatia

FieldValue
clubnameIstra 1961
imageNKIstra1961 logo.svg
image_size170px
fullnameNogometni klub Istra 1961 (Istra 1961 Football Club)
nicknameVerudeži
Zeleno-žuti (The Green-Yellows)
short nameIstra, IST
founded
groundStadion Aldo Drosina
capacity10,000
ownerBaskonia-Alavés Group
chrtitlePresident
chairmanBranko Devide Vincenti
mgrtitleHead coach
managerOriol Riera
leagueCroatian Football League
season2024–25
positionCroatian Football League, 6th of 10
website
pattern_la1_istra1819h
pattern_b1_istra1819h
pattern_ra1_istra1819h
leftarm1ffe100
body1ffe100
rightarm1ffe100
shorts10c9e16
socks1ffff00
pattern_la2_istra1819a
pattern_b2_istra1819a
pattern_ra2_istra1819a
leftarm2000000
body2000000
rightarm2000000
shorts2000000
socks2000000
current2025–26 NK Istra 1961 season

Zeleno-žuti (The Green-Yellows)

Nogometni klub Istra 1961 (), commonly referred to as Istra 1961, is a Croatian professional football club based in Pula, that competes in the Croatian First League.

It is a common opinion amongst many people that Istra 1961 was founded in 1961 by merging two clubs from Pula, NK Uljanik and NK Pula, forming NK Istra. However, NK Istra is not the same club as NK Istra 1961. NK Istra 1961, then named NK Uljanik, was founded in 1964. NK Istra were competing in Prva HNL since the first season, but were relegated in the 1996–97 season to Druga HNL. They were promoted back to Prva HNL in the 1998–99 season, but they were relegated again in the next season, never coming back to Prva HNL. Meanwhile, NK Uljanik was in the shadow of NK Istra, but they were promoted to Prva HNL in the 2003–04 season and are the best club in Pula since then. NK Istra, now under the name NK Istra Pula, is competing in Prva ŽNL, the fifth football level in Croatia. The greatest club success was in the 2002–03 season when they finished runners-up in the Croatian Cup, losing to Hajduk Split 5–0 on aggregate.

In the 2004–05 season, the club changed its name into NK Pula 1856, because 1856 was the year that the Austro-Hungarian Empire made Pula the port of its arsenal and the shipyard Uljanik was opened. Also in the same year, it competed in the Prva HNL for the first time. In 2005, it was renamed again to NK Pula Staro Češko due to a sponsorship contract with the brewery Daruvarska pivovara (Staro Češko is a beer brand). Just one year later, the name was once again changed, this time to NK Pula. Again, just a year later in the middle of 2007, the name was changed for the fifth time in as many years, to NK Istra 1961. The change of name came after an ultimatum from the local fans Demoni who said the club would have their support only if the club changed its name and club colours to the traditional city colours (yellow and green). After renaming club was sold in 2011 to a Russian who achieved promotion for the club and sold it in 2015. NK Istra 1961 was bought by an American investment group in 2015. The NK Istra academy system consistently competes for top spots in the rankings.

Nk Istra 1961 has a rich fan history. The group of die hard fans are referred to as the Demoni, and are known for their explosive chants and celebrations as well as their extreme pride for the club. In summer 2018, club's ownership changed once again, this time to Basque consortium Baskonia - Alavés Group which acquired the majority share package and became sole owner of NK Istra 1961.

Its crest features the city's Roman arena in Pula, as well as the old team crest. Istra 1961 play their home matches at the recently renovated Stadion Aldo Drosina, which has a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators.

History

The first incarnation of NK Istra was NK Uljanik, a club founded by the Pula shipyard Uljanik in 1948. The first club success was in 1959–60 when they qualified to the Yugoslav Second League. In 1961 NK Uljanik merged with NK Pula to form NK Istra 1961. The club stopped functioning shortly thereafter, but was restarted by Silvan Farangua and Ivan Čehić in 1964, when they played in the Pula county league.

After the founding of an independent Croatia, the club played in the Druga HNL between 1993 and 1998, when they dropped down to Treća HNL. In 2001 they became the champions of Treća HNL and returned to Druga HNL.

Two years later in the 2002–03 season, under the leadership of manager Elvis Scoria, Istra played in the final of the Croatian Cup, losing to Hajduk Split. It is the only time, in the history of Croatian football, that a Druga HNL league club played in the cup final.

In season 2003–04 the club was managed by Igor Pamić. He managed to win the Druga HNL South, and beat Međimurje (0–2, 2–0) in the play-offs, after penalties.

The club played first league football for the first time in their history in the 2004–05 season, and managed their first Prva HNL win against Osijek in the fourth gameweek. The club lost only one game at home, but failed to win a single away game. They finished tenth, and won the play-offs to remain in the first league.

In 2005–06 the club president Gianni Rossando was replaced by Orsat Zovko. After a bad season start manager Pamić was replaced by Milivoj Bračun. The new manager managed a streak of good results. In the second half of the season Bračun resigned from the managerial position and was succeeded by Krunoslav Jurčić. The club finished in the season in seventh place.

During the summer manager Jurčić was fired, and replaced by Stjepan Deverić. Unstatisfied with the board, Deverić left before the start of the season. Branko Tucak became the new manager. After a string of bad results and clashed with the players, he was replaced by Krunoslav Jurčić. Bad results, compounded with a poor financial situation threatened the club with shutdown. The intervention of the Istria govurner and arrival of new sponsors managed to save the club, while the new president became Darko Jergović.

Pula finished the 2006–07 season in eleventh place, and lost the play-offs to Zadar (3–0, 2–3). They would then return to the Druga HNL.

Valdi Šumberac was appointed as the first manager. During this time, Istra was adopted by Demoni, who became the club's first group of ultras. At the end of August 2007 the club appointed Elvis Scoria as the new manager, while Šumberac remained as an assistant manager. Istra finished the season in the third place. However, the club finished the 2008–09 season as the champions of the Druga HNL and were promoted to the Prva HNL.

NK Istra achieved their best domestic success in the 2013–14 season, when they reached the semifinal of the Croatian Cup.

In June 2018, NK Istra was bought by the Baskonia-Alaves Group, who acquired the majority stake in the club, buying a total of 85% of the shares.

On 14 April 2021, Istra 1961 repeated the success of the 2013–14 season, qualifying for the final of the Croatian Cup, with a 3–2 home victory over Rijeka in the semifinal. They fell 6–3 to Dinamo Zagreb in the final.

On 26 November 2023, Istra 1961 broke record for number of people attending their home game at Stadion Aldo Drosina. The attendance were 8,606 people at the stadium that holds the capacity of 8,900.

Recent seasons

SeasonLeagueCupTop goalscorerDivisionPWDLFAPtsPosPlayerGoals
19923. HNL West B14482219163rd
3. HNL West3016775632391stR1
1993–942. HNL South30771621432114th
1994–952. HNL West361281640484413th
1995–962. HNL West3418885836625th
1996–972. HNL West3019656521633rd
1997–982. HNL West30127114231436th
1998–993. HNL West30137103335463rd
1999–003. HNL West3017675630573rdR1
2000–013. HNL West30171127326621st ↑
2001–022. HNL South3017855726592ndPR
2002–032. HNL South3220756331672ndRU
2003–042. HNL South3218865933621st ↑QF
2004–051. HNL327141128313510thQFJosip Jerneić, Vedran Stošić6
2005–061. HNL32136134436457thR1Stiven Rivić12
2006–071. HNL336111628402911th ↓R1Marko Radas, Almir Halilović5
2007–082. HNL3017764214583rdR1Saša Šest8
2008–092. HNL3018664620601st ↑R1Mohamed Kalilou Traoré9
2009–101. HNL30981331403511thR2Asim Šehić15
2010–111. HNL30941724443115thQFSiniša Linić5
2011–121. HNL30119103533429thQFSandi Križman7
2012–131. HNL331111113532446thR2Goran Roce11
2013–141. HNL36128164556446thSFDejan Radonjić9
2014–151. HNL36714153659359thQFDejan Radonjić16
2015–161. HNL36412202358249thR2Stefan Nikolić5
2016–171. HNL36109173349396thR2Goran Roce8
2017–181. HNL3669212860279thQFFive players3
2018–191. HNL3667233173259thR2Ramón Mierez9
2019–201. HNL36510212759259thR2Mario Ćuže7
2020–211. HNL3678212752299thRUMatej Vuk6
2021–221. HNL36710194267319thQFDion Drena Beljo15
2022–23HNL361113123638465thR2Ante Erceg11
2023–24HNL361011153654418thR2Ante Erceg6
2024–25HNL361115103942486thSF

Key

ChampionsRunners-upPromotedRelegated

Top scorer shown in bold when he was also top scorer for the division.

  • P = Played
  • W = Games won
  • D = Games drawn
  • L = Games lost
  • F = Goals for
  • A = Goals against
  • Pts = Points
  • Pos = Final position
    1. HNL = Prva HNL
    1. HNL = Druga HNL
    1. HNL = Treća HNL
  • PR = Preliminary round
  • R1 = Round 1
  • R2 = Round 2
  • QF = Quarter-finals
  • SF = Semi-finals
  • RU = Runners-up
  • W = Winners

Current squad

Dual registration

Youth academy

Out on loan

Records

The following are lists of top players in terms of number of appearances and goals for Istra 1961 in the Croatian First Football League, as of 3 June 2023.

Bold denotes players still playing for Istra 1961.

#PlayerCareerApps
1Slavko Blagojević2012–2014
2020–present145
Goran Roce2009–2013
2016–2017
2018144
3Einar Galilea2019–2023131
4Vanja Iveša2004–2007
2015–2017
2018130
5Šime Gržan2016–2018
2019–2021112
6Mislav Anđelković2006–2013103
7Nikola Prelčec2009–2013
2016–201895
8Fausto Budicin2006–2007
2011–201489
Antonio Ivančić2018–202289
10Asim Šehić2004–2006
2009–201287
#PlayerCareerGoals
1Asim Šehić2004–2006
2009–201230
2Goran Roce2009–2013
2016–2017
201829
3Dejan Radonjić2013–201525
4Sandi Križman2012–2014
201517
5Šime Gržan2016–2018
2019–202116
6Dion Drena Beljo2021–202215
7Ante Erceg2022–present11
Stiven Rivić2005–2006
201211
9Slavko Blagojević2012–2014
2020–present10
Josip Jerneić2003–2006
2006–200810
11Stipe Bačelić-Grgić2012–20139
Antonio Ivančić2018–20229
Ramón Miérez2018–20199

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt partner
2007–2010LegeaPuljanka
2011–2012JakoCroatia Osiguranje
2012PumaCroatia Osiguranje
2013–2016ErreaCroatia Osiguranje
2016–2018NikeCroatia Osiguranje
2018–2021KelmeCroatia Osiguranje
2021–2023KelmeGermania Sport
2023–presentJomaGermania Sport

Honours

Historical list of coaches

  • YUG Ozren Nedoklan (1959–1960)
  • YUG Vukašin Višnjevac
  • CRO Elvis Scoria (2002–2004)
  • CRO Igor Pamić (2004 – Oct 2, 2005)
  • CRO Milivoj Bračun (Oct 2, 2005 – Mar 11, 2006)
  • CRO Branko Tucak (Jul 2006 – Aug 20, 2006)
  • CRO Krunoslav Jurčić (Sep 1, 2006 – Jan 1, 2007)
  • CRO Nenad Gračan (Jan 1, 2007 - May 13, 2007)
  • CRO Stanko Mršić (May 13, 2007 - Oct 29, 2007
  • CRO Elvis Scoria (30 October 2007 – 2 November 2009)
  • CRO Valdi Šumberac (2 November 2009 – 27 February 2010)
  • CRO Zoran Vulić (28 February 2010 – 22 May 2010)
  • CRO Ante Miše (22 May 2010 – 2 August 2010)
  • CRO Robert Jarni (4 August 2010 – 19 September 2010)
  • CRO Davor Lasić (interim) (19 September 2010 – 5 October 2010)
  • CRO Zoran Vulić (6 October 2010 – 21 March 2011)
  • CRO Igor Pamić (29 March 2011 – 5 October 2015)
  • CRO Robert Rubčić (interim) (5 October 2015 – January 2016)
  • CRO Andrej Panadić (January 2016 – 18 July 2016)
  • CRO Goran Tomić (26 July 2016 – 1 December 2016)
  • CRO Darko Raić-Sudar (interim) (1 December 2016 – 30 December 2016)
  • CRO Marijo Tot (30 December 2016 – 19 May 2017)
  • CRO Darko Raić-Sudar (interim) (19 May 2017 – 31 May 2017)
  • CRO Darko Raić-Sudar (1 June 2017 – 1 June 2018)
  • Spain Manolo Márquez (1 June 2018 – 18 September 2018)
  • Spain Curro Torres (19 September 2018 – 27 October 2018)
  • CRO Krunoslav Rendulić (28 October 2018 – 4 March 2019)
  • CRO Igor Cvitanović (4 March 2019 – 10 June 2019)
  • CRO Ivan Prelec (15 June 2019 – 24 August 2020)
  • CRO Fausto Budicin (26 August 2020 – 12 February 2021)
  • CRO Danijel Jumić (12 February 2021 – 11 June 2021)
  • ESP Gonzalo García (16 June 2021 – 7 June 2023)
  • BIH Mislav Karoglan (11 June 2023 – 8 August 2023)
  • ESP David Català (14 August 2023 – 6 February 2024)
  • ITA Paolo Tramezzani (8 Feb 2024 –28 December 2024)
  • ESPURU Gonzalo García (4 January 2025 – 30 June 2025)
  • CRO Goran Tomić (1 July 2025 – 13 September 2025)
  • ESP Oriol Riera (18 September 2025 – present)

References

References

  1. "About".
  2. (28 June 2018). "Grupacija koja je podignula NK Rudeš preuzela Istru 1961: Slijede bolji dani za Istrijane!". Gol.hr.
  3. (29 July 2020). "FOTO/Rivalitet pulskih i riječkih nogometaša postoji od samih početaka organiziranog igranja nogometa u Puli, odnosno od kraja 19. stoljeća. Tako će biti i za nekoliko dana kada ISTRA 1961 I ORIJENT 1919 BUDU IGRALI KVALIFIKACIJE ZA POPUNU PRVE HNL".
  4. [http://www.zse.hr/userdocsimages/prospekti/Prospekt-THMT.pdf Zagrebačka burza] {{Webarchive. link. (18 October 2011 Prospekt Tehnomonta, Zagreb, July 2003, Page 3 (Retrieved 25 February 2018))
  5. [http://sport.hrt.hr/htvsport/izdvojeno/03/kup.html Finale kupa 2003.]
  6. [http://sport.hrt.hr/htvsport/Opsirno.asp?dan=/2005/06/08/011.xml Novi sponzor, ime i predsjednik prvoligaša iz Pule]
  7. [http://www.jutarnji.hr/sport/nogomet/clanak/art-2006,7,16,pula_deveric,36134.jl Deverić otišao nakon mjesec dana]
  8. (July 2021)
  9. {{usurped
  10. (December 2024)
  11. [http://dns1.vjesnik.hr/pdf/2007%5C06%5C04%5C24A24.PDF Poljakova hrabrost za dobrobit nogometa]{{Dead link. (July 2021)
  12. (December 2024)
  13. (31 March 2014). "Rijeka ponovno bolja od Istre".
  14. "Baskonia-Alaves Group gets hold of the NK Istra 1961".
  15. (28 June 2018). "Grupacija Baskonia – Alavés iz Španjolske preuzela NK Istru 1961".
  16. (26 November 2023). "Srušen rekord na stadionu Aldo Drosina, Hajduk slavio u utakmici koju ćemo pamtiti (Samo) po tribinama".
  17. "Team".
  18. "Igrači".
  19. (1 June 2017). "Coach Marijo Tot's contract terminated, temporary coach Darko Raić-Sudar". NK Istra 1961.
  20. (1 June 2017). "Darko Raić-Sudar novi trener prve momčadi Istre 1961, pomoćni Nenad Basta".
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