NK Istra 1961

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Istra 1961
NKIstra1961 logo.svg
Full nameNogometni klub Istra 1961
(Istra 1961 Football Club)
Nickname(s)Verudeži
Zeleno-žuti (The Green-Yellows)
Short nameIstra, IST
Founded1948;76 years ago (1948)
Ground Stadion Aldo Drosina
Capacity8,900 [1]
OwnerBaskonia-Alavés Group
PresidentBranko Devide Vincenti
Head coach Paolo Tramezzani
League SuperSport HNL
2022–23 SuperSport HNL, 5th of 10
Website Club website
Soccerball current event.svg 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.

Contents

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

SeasonLeague Cup Top goalscorer
DivisionPWDLFAPtsPosPlayerGoals
19923. HNL West B14482219163rd
1992–933. HNL West3016775632391st R1
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 West3017675630573rd R1
2000–013. HNL West30171127326621st ↑
2001–02 2. HNL South 3017855726592nd PR
2002–03 2. HNL South 3220756331672nd RU
2003–04 2. HNL South 3218865933621st ↑ QF
2004–05 1. HNL 327141128313510th QF Josip Jerneić, Vedran Stošić6
2005–06 1. HNL 32136134436457th R1 Stiven Rivić 12
2006–07 1. HNL 336111628402911th ↓ R1 Marko Radas, Almir Halilović5
2007–08 2. HNL 3017764214583rd R1 Saša Šest8
2008–09 2. HNL 3018664620601st ↑ R1 Mohamed Kalilou Traoré 9
2009–10 1. HNL 30981331403511th R2 Asim Šehić 15
2010–11 1. HNL 30941724443115th QF Siniša Linić 5
2011–12 1. HNL 30119103533429th QF Sandi Križman 7
2012–13 1. HNL 331111113532446th R2 Goran Roce 11
2013–14 1. HNL 36128164556446th SF Dejan Radonjić 9
2014–15 1. HNL 36714153659359th QF Dejan Radonjić 16
2015–16 1. HNL 36412202358249th R2 Stefan Nikolić 5
2016–17 1. HNL 36109173349396th R2 Goran Roce 8
2017–18 1. HNL 3669212860279th QF Five players3
2018–19 1. HNL 3667233173259th R2 Ramón Mierez 9
2019–20 1. HNL 36510212759259th R2 Mario Ćuže 7
2020–21 1. HNL 3678212752299th RU Matej Vuk 6
2021–22 1. HNL 36710194267319th QF Dion Drena Beljo 15
2022–23 1. HNL 361113123638465th R2 Ante Erceg 11

Key

1st2nd
ChampionsRunners-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.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Marijan Ćorić
2 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Luka Hujber
4 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Frano Mlinar
5 DF Flag of Finland.svg  FIN Ville Koski
7 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Slavko Blagojević
8 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Mario Čuić
9 FW Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  BIH Hamza Jaganjac (on loan from Adana Demirspor)
11 FW Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Mateo Lisica
13 DF Flag of Austria.svg  AUT Dario Marešić
14 FW Flag of Sweden.svg  SWE Emmanuel Ekong (on loan from Empoli)
15 FW Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  VEN Darwin Matheus
16 MF Flag of Ukraine.svg  UKR Oleksandr Petrusenko
17 DF Flag of the Netherlands.svg  NED Terrence Douglas
20 DF Flag of Moldova.svg  MDA Iurie Iovu
No.Pos.NationPlayer
21 GK Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Lovro Majkić
22 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Matej Vuk
23 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Moris Valinčić
27 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Ivan Ćalušić
31 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Dukan Ahmeti
34 DF Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Mladen Devetak (on loan from Palermo)
35 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Antonio Maurić
37 FW Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Lorenzo Travaglia
40 GK Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Jan Paus-Kunšt
45 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Ante Majstorović
70 FW Flag of Nigeria.svg  NGA Salim Fago Lawal
75 FW Flag of France.svg  FRA Elias Filet
97 DF Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  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.NationPlayer
36 MF Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  BIH Irfan Ramić(at Jadran Poreč)
44 FW Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Tomislav Glavan(at Jadran Poreč)
No.Pos.NationPlayer
99 GK Flag of Croatia.svg  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.NationPlayer
6 MF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Tomislav Duvnjak (at Flag of Croatia.svg Sesvete until 19 Jube 2024)
12 GK Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Carlo Jurak(at Flag of Croatia.svg Uljanik until 19 June 2024)
No.Pos.NationPlayer
33 DF Flag of Croatia.svg  CRO Luka Bradarić(at Flag of Croatia.svg Dugopolje until 19 June 2024)
77 MF Flag of Slovakia.svg  SVK Sebastian Nebyla (at Flag of the Czech Republic.svg 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 manufacturerShirt 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

Historical list of coaches

incomplete list

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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. 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
  11. Svilokosu najniža ocjena u povijesti HNL-a
  12. Poljakova hrabrost za dobrobit nogometa [ permanent dead link ]
  13. Lisjak: Ovo je bila teška smijurija
  14. "Rijeka ponovno bolja od Istre". mojarijeka.hr. 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. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  17. "Team". www.nkistra.com.
  18. "Igrači". hrnogomet.com. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  19. 1 2 "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.
  20. "Darko Raić-Sudar novi trener prve momčadi Istre 1961, pomoćni Nenad Basta" (in Croatian). 1 June 2017.