NK Istra 1961

Nogometni Klub Istra 1961 (English: Istra 1961 Football Club), commonly referred to as NK Istra 1961 or simply Istra 1961, is a football club from Pula, Istria, Croatia, currently playing in the Croatian First Division.

Not to be confused with NK Istra.

Istra 1961
Full nameNogometni Klub Istra 1961
Nickname(s)Verudeži
Zeleno-žuti (The Green-Yellows)
Short nameIST
Founded1961 (1961)
GroundStadion Aldo Drosina
Capacity9,800[1]
OwnerBaskonia - Alavés Group
ManagerIvan Prelec
LeaguePrva HNL
2019–20Prva HNL, 9th
WebsiteClub website

It's a common opinion amongst many people that Istra 1961 is 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 was the best club from Pula for decades. 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 5th 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 Liga 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 Demons 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 is very strong and 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

Lower league and cup success

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 2. Yugoslav 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 the independant Croatia, the club played in the 2. HNL between 1993 and 1998, when they dropped down to 3. HNL. In 2001 they became the champions of 3. HNL and returned to 2. HNL.[3]

Two years later in the 2002/03. season, under the leadership of manager Elvis Scoria, Istra played in the final of the Croatian Football Cup, losing to HNK Hajduk Split. It is the only time, in the history of Croatian football, that a 2. HNL league club played in the cup final.[4]

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

First league

The club played first league football for the first time in their history in the 2004/2005. season, and managed their first 1. HNL win against NK Osijek in the 4. gameweek. The club lost only one game at home, but failed to win a single away game. They finished 10th, 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.[5] In the second half of the season Bračun resigned from the managerial position and was succeded by Krunoslav Jurčić. The club finished in the season in 7th place.

During the summer manager Juić was fired, and replaced by Stjepan Deverić. Unstatisfied with the board, Deverić left before the start of the season.[6] Branko Tucak became the new manager. After a string of bad results and clashed with the players, he was replaced by Kruno Jurčić. Bad results, compounded with a poor financial situation threatend the club with shutdown.[7] The intervention of the Istria govurner and arrival of new sponsors managed to save the club, while the new president became Darko Jergović and new manager Darko Jergović.[8]

Pula finished the 2006/08. season in 11th place, and lost the play-offs to Zadar (3-0, 2-3). They would then return to the 2. HNL.[9][10]

Return to the 2. HNL

Valdi Šumberac was appointed as the first manager. During this time, Istra was adopted by Demoni, who became the clubs first group of ultras. At the end of August 2007/08. the club appointed Elvis Scoria as the new manager, while Šumberac remained as the assistent manager. Istra finished the season in the 3rd place. However, the club finished the 2008/09. season as the champions of 2. HNL and were promoted to 1. HNL.[11]

Recent seasons
Former crest
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

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

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

First-team squad
As of 4 February 2020[12]

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 Tony Macan
2 MF  CRO Mario Munivrana
4 DF  ESP Rafael Páez (on loan from Deportivo Alavés)
5 DF  MKD Agron Rufati
6 DF  CRO Petar Bosančić
7 FW  CRO Šime Gržan
10 FW  BIH Gedeon Guzina
11 FW  CRO Josip Maganjić (on loan from Fiorentina)
15 DF  CRO Martin Franić
16 MF  CRO Ivan Močinić
17 MF  SEN Arona Sané
18 FW  CRO Robert Perić-Komšić
No. Pos. Nation Player
20 MF  CRO Antonio Ivančić
21 GK  CRO Lovro Majkić
22 DF  CRO Marin Grujević
23 MF  MNE Stefan Lončar (on loan from Deportivo Alavés)
24 DF  AUT Markus Pavic
26 MF  GHA Obeng Regan
27 DF  CRO Josip Tomašević
28 MF  VEN Octavio Páez
33 MF  KVX Drilon Sadiku
40 GK  CRO Tomislav Duka
77 MF  CRO Slavko Blagojević

Records

The following are lists of top players in terms of number of appearances and goals for Istra 1961 in 1. HNL, as of 19 May 2018.[13]

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 Kelme Croatia Osiguranje

Honours
  • Croatian Second Division:
Winners (2): 2003–04, 2008–09
  • Croatian Third Division:
Winners (1): 2000–01
Runners up: 2002–03
Semi-finals: 2013–14

Managers

References

Nk Istra Fanpage: http://nkistrafan.weebly.com/about.html

  1. "Stadion Aldo Drosina - NK Istra 1961". www.nkistra1961.hr. Archived from the original on 26 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  2. "About". bryant spaces. Retrieved 17 April 2017.
  3. Zagrebačka burza Prospekt Tehnomonta, Zagreb, srpanj, 2003., str. 3 (pristupljeno 25. veljače 2018.)
  4. Finale kupa 2003.
  5. Novi sponzor, ime i predsjednik prvoligaša iz Pule
  6. Deverić otišao nakon mjesec dana
  7. Istra-istria.com
  8. Jergović novi predsjednik Pule
  9. Svilokosu najniža ocjena u povijesti HNL-a
  10. Poljakova hrabrost za dobrobit nogometa
  11. Lisjak:Ovo je bila teška smijurija
  12. "Team". www.nkistra.com. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  13. "Igrači". hrnogomet.com. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  14. "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.
  15. "Darko Raić-Sudar novi trener prve momčadi Istre 1961, pomoćni Nenad Basta" (in Croatian). 1 June 2017.
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