Nogometni klub Istra 1961 (), commonly referred to as Istra 1961, is a Croatian professional football club based in Pula. They compete in the Croatian Football League (HNL), the top tier of Croatian football.
It is commonly believed 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. Istra 1961 was bought by an American investment group in 2015. The Istra 1961's academy system consistently competes for top spots in the rankings.
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 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 Silvano Faraguna and Ivan Čekić 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.Zagrebačka burza Prospekt Tehnomonta, Zagreb, July 2003, Page 3 (Retrieved 25 February 2018)
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.Finale kupa 2003.
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.Novi sponzor, ime i predsjednik prvoligaša iz Pule 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.Deverić otišao nakon mjesec dana 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.Istra-istria.com 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.Svilokosu najniža ocjena u povijesti HNL-aPoljakova hrabrost za dobrobit nogometa
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.Lisjak: Ovo je bila teška smijurija
Istra 1961 achieved their best domestic success in the 2013–14 season, when they reached the semifinal of the Croatian Cup.
In June 2018, 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 goalscorerDivisionPWDLFAPtsPosPlayerGoals19923. HNL West B14482219163rd3. HNL West3016775632391stR11993–942. HNL South30771621432114th1994–952. HNL West361281640484413th1995–962. HNL West3418885836625th1996–972. HNL West3019656521633rd1997–982. HNL West30127114231436th1998–993. HNL West30137103335463rd1999–003. HNL West3017675630573rdR12000–013. HNL West30171127326621st ↑2001–022. HNL South3017855726592ndPR2002–032. HNL South3220756331672ndRU2003–042. HNL South3218865933621st ↑QF2004–051. HNL327141128313510thQFJosip Jerneić, Vedran Stošić62005–061. HNL32136134436457thR1Stiven Rivić122006–071. HNL336111628402911th ↓R1Marko Radas, Almir Halilović52007–082. HNL3017764214583rdR1Saša Šest82008–092. HNL3018664620601st ↑R1Mohamed Kalilou Traoré92009–101. HNL30981331403511thR2Asim Šehić152010–111. HNL30941724443115thQFSiniša Linić52011–121. HNL30119103533429thQFSandi Križman72012–131. HNL331111113532446thR2Goran Roce112013–141. HNL36128164556446thSFDejan Radonjić92014–151. HNL36714153659359thQFDejan Radonjić162015–161. HNL36412202358249thR2Stefan Nikolić52016–171. HNL36109173349396thR2Goran Roce82017–181. HNL3669212860279thQFFive players32018–191. HNL3667233173259thR2Ramón Mierez92019–201. HNL36510212759259thR2Mario Ćuže72020–211. HNL3678212752299thRUMatej Vuk62021–221. HNL36710194267319thQFDion Drena Beljo152022–23HNL361113123638465thR2Ante Erceg112023–24HNL361011153654418thR2Ante Erceg62024–25HNL361115103942486thSFVinko Rozić72025–26HNL36127173950436thR2Smail Prevljak14
Key 1st2nd ↑ ↓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 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
Players with multiple nationalities
Vinko Rozić Stipe Ukich Gustavo Albarracín Isaac Demirel Hodžić
Dual registration
Youth academy
Other players under contract
Out on loan
Personnel
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.
+Most appearances#PlayerCareerApps1Slavko Blagojević2012–20142020–present 145Goran Roce2009–20132016–201720181443Einar Galilea2019–20231314Vanja Iveša2004–20072015–201720181305Šime Gržan2016–20182019–2021 1126Mislav Anđelković2006–20131037Nikola Prelčec2009–20132016–2018958Fausto Budicin2006–20072011–201489Antonio Ivančić2018–20228910Asim Šehić2004–20062009–201287
+Top goalscorers#PlayerCareerGoals1Asim Šehić2004–20062009–2012302Goran Roce2009–20132016–20172018293Dejan Radonjić2013–2015254Sandi Križman2012–20142015175Šime Gržan2016–20182019–2021 166Dion Drena Beljo2021–2022157 Ante Erceg2022–present11Stiven Rivić2005–20062012119Slavko Blagojević2012–20142020–present 10Josip Jerneić2003–20062006–20081011Stipe Bačelić-Grgić2012–20139Antonio Ivančić2018–20229Ramón Miérez2018–20199
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
PeriodKit 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 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, 2024–25
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) Darko Raić-Sudar (interim) (19 May 2017 – 31 May 2017) Darko Raić-Sudar (1 June 2017 – 1 June 2018) 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)