NK Istra 1961

Istra 1961

Full name	Nogometni klub Istra 1961 (Istra 1961 Football Club)
Nickname(s)	Verudeži Zeleno-žuti (The Green-Yellows)
Short name	Istra, IST
Founded	1948; 76 years ago (1948)
Ground	Stadion Aldo Drosina
Capacity	8,900[1]
Owner	Baskonia-Alavés Group
President	Branko Devide Vincenti
Head coach	Paolo Tramezzani
League	SuperSport HNL
2022–23	SuperSport HNL, 5th of 10
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Nogometni klub Istra 1961 (English: Istra 1961 Football Club), commonly referred to as NK Istra 1961, or simply Istra 1961 or Istra, 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^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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.^[6]

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.^[7] 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.^[8] 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.^[9] The intervention of the Istria govurner and arrival of new sponsors managed to save the club, while the new president became Darko Jergović.^[10]

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.^[11][12]

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.^[13]

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

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.^[15][16]

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. ^[17]

Recent seasons

Season	League									Cup	Top goalscorer
	Division	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts	Pos		Player	Goals
1992	3. HNL West B	14	4	8	2	21	9	16	3rd
1992–93	3. HNL West	30	16	7	7	56	32	39	1st	R1
1993–94	2. HNL South	30	7	7	16	21	43	21	14th
1994–95	2. HNL West	36	12	8	16	40	48	44	13th
1995–96	2. HNL West	34	18	8	8	58	36	62	5th
1996–97	2. HNL West	30	19	6	5	65	21	63	3rd
1997–98	2. HNL West	30	12	7	11	42	31	43	6th
1998–99	3. HNL West	30	13	7	10	33	35	46	3rd
1999–00	3. HNL West	30	17	6	7	56	30	57	3rd	R1
2000–01	3. HNL West	30	17	11	2	73	26	62	1st ↑
2001–02	2. HNL South	30	17	8	5	57	26	59	2nd	PR
2002–03	2. HNL South	32	20	7	5	63	31	67	2nd	RU
2003–04	2. HNL South	32	18	8	6	59	33	62	1st ↑	QF
2004–05	1. HNL	32	7	14	11	28	31	35	10th	QF	Josip Jerneić, Vedran Stošić	6
2005–06	1. HNL	32	13	6	13	44	36	45	7th	R1	Stiven Rivić	12
2006–07	1. HNL	33	6	11	16	28	40	29	11th ↓	R1	Marko Radas, Almir Halilović	5
2007–08	2. HNL	30	17	7	6	42	14	58	3rd	R1	Saša Šest	8
2008–09	2. HNL	30	18	6	6	46	20	60	1st ↑	R1	Mohamed Kalilou Traoré	9
2009–10	1. HNL	30	9	8	13	31	40	35	11th	R2	Asim Šehić	15
2010–11	1. HNL	30	9	4	17	24	44	31	15th	QF	Siniša Linić	5
2011–12	1. HNL	30	11	9	10	35	33	42	9th	QF	Sandi Križman	7
2012–13	1. HNL	33	11	11	11	35	32	44	6th	R2	Goran Roce	11
2013–14	1. HNL	36	12	8	16	45	56	44	6th	SF	Dejan Radonjić	9
2014–15	1. HNL	36	7	14	15	36	59	35	9th	QF	Dejan Radonjić	16
2015–16	1. HNL	36	4	12	20	23	58	24	9th	R2	Stefan Nikolić	5
2016–17	1. HNL	36	10	9	17	33	49	39	6th	R2	Goran Roce	8
2017–18	1. HNL	36	6	9	21	28	60	27	9th	QF	Five players	3
2018–19	1. HNL	36	6	7	23	31	73	25	9th	R2	Ramón Mierez	9
2019–20	1. HNL	36	5	10	21	27	59	25	9th	R2	Mario Ćuže	7
2020–21	1. HNL	36	7	8	21	27	52	29	9th	RU	Matej Vuk	6
2021–22	1. HNL	36	7	10	19	42	67	31	9th	QF	Dion Drena Beljo	15
2022–23	1. HNL	36	11	13	12	36	38	46	5th	R2	Ante Erceg	11

Key

1st	2nd	↑	↓
Champions	Runners-up	Promoted	Relegated

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

Current squad

As of 27 March 2024^[18]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  CRO Marijan Ćorić 2 DF  CRO Luka Hujber 4 MF  CRO Frano Mlinar 5 DF  FIN Ville Koski 7 MF  CRO Slavko Blagojević 8 MF  CRO Mario Čuić 9 FW  BIH Hamza Jaganjac (on loan from Adana Demirspor) 11 FW  CRO Mateo Lisica 13 DF  AUT Dario Marešić 14 FW  SWE Emmanuel Ekong (on loan from Empoli) 15 FW  VEN Darwin Matheus 16 MF  UKR Oleksandr Petrusenko 17 DF  NED Terrence Douglas 20 DF  MDA Iurie Iovu

No. Pos. Nation Player 21 GK  CRO Lovro Majkić 22 MF  CRO Matej Vuk 23 DF  CRO Moris Valinčić 27 MF  CRO Ivan Ćalušić 31 MF  CRO Dukan Ahmeti 34 DF  SRB Mladen Devetak (on loan from Palermo) 35 MF  CRO Antonio Maurić 37 FW  CRO Lorenzo Travaglia 40 GK  CRO Jan Paus-Kunšt 45 DF  CRO Ante Majstorović 70 FW  NGA Salim Fago Lawal 75 FW  FRA Elias Filet 97 DF  BIH Advan Kadušić

Dual registration

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 36 MF  BIH Irfan Ramić (at Jadran Poreč) 44 FW  CRO Tomislav Glavan (at Jadran Poreč)

No. Pos. Nation Player 99 GK  CRO Marino Bulat (at Jadran Poreč)

Out on loan

As of 16 February 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 6 MF  CRO Tomislav Duvnjak (at Sesvete until 19 Jube 2024) 12 GK  CRO Carlo Jurak (at Uljanik until 19 June 2024)

No. Pos. Nation Player 33 DF  CRO Luka Bradarić (at Dugopolje until 19 June 2024) 77 MF  SVK Sebastian Nebyla (at Jablonec until 19 June 2024)

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.^[19]

Bold denotes players still playing for Istra 1961.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt partner
2007–2010	Legea	Puljanka
2011–2012	Jako	Croatia Osiguranje
2012	Puma	Croatia Osiguranje
2013–2016	Errea	Croatia Osiguranje
2016–2018	Nike	Croatia Osiguranje
2018–2021	Kelme	Croatia Osiguranje
2021–2023	Kelme	Germania Sport
2024–present	Joma	Germania Sport

Honours

• Croatian Second Football League
  • Winners (2): 2003–04, 2008–09
• Croatian Third Football League
  • Winners (1): 2000–01
• Croatian Cup
  • Runners-up: 2002–03, 2020–21
  • Semi-finals: 2013–14

Historical list of coaches

incomplete list

References

External links

2023–24 teamsFormer teamsStatistics and awardsAssociated competitionsSeasons