NK Istra 1961

Not to be confused with NK Istra.

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;77 years ago (1948)
Ground	Stadion Aldo Drosina
Capacity	8,900 [1]
Owner	Baskonia-Alavés Group
President	Branko Devide Vincenti
Head coach	Gonzalo García
League	Croatian Football League
2023–24	Croatian Football League, 8th of 10
Website	https://nkistra.com/
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Nogometni klub Istra 1961 (English: Istra 1961 Football Club), 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 ^[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	HNL	36	11	13	12	36	38	46	5th	R2	Ante Erceg	11
2023–24	HNL	36	10	11	15	36	54	41	8th	R2	Ante Erceg	6

Key

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

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 2. HNL = Druga HNL 3. 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

As of 31 January 2025 ^[18]

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   CRO Franko Kolić 4 DF   AUT Dario Marešić 5 DF   FIN Ville Koski 6 MF   ISL Logi Hrafn Róbertsson 7 MF   CRO Slavko Blagojević 8 MF   CRO Antonio Maurić 9 FW   BIH Hamza Jaganjac 11 FW   CRO Mateo Lisica 12 GK   CRO Marko Juršić 16 DF   CRO Luka Bogdan 17 DF   CMR Stephane Keller (on loan from Deportivo Alavés) 18 MF   NGA Israel Isaac Ayuma 21 GK   CRO Lovro Majkić 23 DF   CRO Moris Valinčić

No. Pos. Nation Player 24 FW   BIH Vinko Rozić 26 DF   GER Marcel Heister 27 MF   CRO Ivan Ćalušić 29 FW   GEO Giorgi Gagua 31 MF   MTN Beyatt Lekweiry 36 MF   BIH Irfan Ramić 40 GK   CRO Jan Paus-Kunšt 57 FW   CRO Kristian Fućak 70 FW   NGA Salim Fago Lawal 71 MF   GAB André Biyogo Poko 77 MF   CRO Mario Čuić 97 DF   BIH Advan Kadušić — MF   CRO Josip Radošević — FW   NZL Stipe Ukich

Dual registration

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 10 MF   CRO Dukan Ahmeti(at Uljanik) 38 DF   CRO Raul Kumar(at Uljanik) — GK   CRO Carlo Jurak(at Uljanik)

No. Pos. Nation Player — MF   CRO Marin Žgomba(at Uljanik) — FW   CRO Lorenzo Travaglia(at Uljanik)

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player 15 DF   CAN Jovan Ivanisevic (at Bologna until 30 June 2025)

No. Pos. Nation Player 20 DF   MDA Iurie Iovu (at Deportivo Alavés until 30 June 2025)

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.

Most appearances # Player Career Apps 1 Slavko Blagojević 2012–2014 2020–present 145 Goran Roce 2009–2013 2016–2017 2018 144 3 Einar Galilea 2019–2023 131 4 Vanja Iveša 2004–2007 2015–2017 2018 130 5 Šime Gržan 2016–2018 2019–2021 112 6 Mislav Anđelković 2006–2013 103 7 Nikola Prelčec 2009–2013 2016–2018 95 8 Fausto Budicin 2006–2007 2011–2014 89 Antonio Ivančić 2018–2022 89 10 Asim Šehić 2004–2006 2009–2012 87

Top goalscorers # Player Career Goals 1 Asim Šehić 2004–2006 2009–2012 30 2 Goran Roce 2009–2013 2016–2017 2018 29 3 Dejan Radonjić 2013–2015 25 4 Sandi Križman 2012–2014 2015 17 5 Šime Gržan 2016–2018 2019–2021 16 6 Dion Drena Beljo 2021–2022 15 7 Ante Erceg 2022–present 11 Stiven Rivić 2005–2006 2012 11 9 Slavko Blagojević 2012–2014 2020–present 10 Josip Jerneić 2003–2006 2006–2008 10 11 Stipe Bačelić-Grgić 2012–2013 9 Antonio Ivančić 2018–2022 9 Ramón Miérez 2018–2019 9

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
2023–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

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

References

1. "Stadion Aldo Drosina - NK Istra 1961". www.nkistra1961.hr. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
2. "About". nkistrafan.weebly.com. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
3. "Grupacija koja je podignula NK Rudeš preuzela Istru 1961: Slijede bolji dani za Istrijane!" [The group that raised NK Rudeš took over Istria in 1961: Better days for Istrians are coming!] (in Croatian). Gol.hr. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
4. "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". glasistre.hr. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
5. Zagrebačka burza Archived 18 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Prospekt Tehnomonta, Zagreb, July 2003, Page 3 (Retrieved 25 February 2018)
6. Finale kupa 2003.
7. Novi sponzor, ime i predsjednik prvoligaša iz Pule
8. Deverić otišao nakon mjesec dana
9. Istra-istria.com ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
10. Jergović novi predsjednik Pule ^[usurped]
11. Svilokosu najniža ocjena u povijesti HNL-a ^{[ dead link ‍]}
12. Poljakova hrabrost za dobrobit nogometa ^{[ permanent dead link ‍]}
13. Lisjak: Ovo je bila teška smijurija ^{[ dead link ‍]}
14. "Rijeka ponovno bolja od Istre". mojarijeka.hr. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
15. "Baskonia-Alaves Group gets hold of the NK Istra 1961". deportivoalaves.com. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
16. "Grupacija Baskonia – Alavés iz Španjolske preuzela NK Istru 1961". nkistra.com. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
17. "Srušen rekord na stadionu Aldo Drosina, Hajduk slavio u utakmici koju ćemo pamtiti (Samo) po tribinama". 26 November 2023.
18. "Team". www.nkistra.com.
19. "Igrači". hrnogomet.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
20. "Coach Marijo Tot's contract terminated, temporary coach Darko Raić-Sudar". nkistra1961.hr. NK Istra 1961 (published 19 May 2017). 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
21. "Darko Raić-Sudar novi trener prve momčadi Istre 1961, pomoćni Nenad Basta" (in Croatian). 1 June 2017.

External links

• Official website (in Croatian and English)
• Istra 1961 profile at UEFA.com
• Istra 1961 profile at Sportnet.hr (in Croatian)
• istrasport.eu – article