NK Istra 1961

Not to be confused with NK Istra.

NK Istra 1961 is a football club from Pula, Croatia, currently playing in the Croatian First Division.

The football club NK Uljanik from which the club originates from was founded in 1948. In 1961 it joined with another local club, NK Pula, to form NK Istra. For this reason, 1961 is occasionally considered as the clubs founding year. The greatest club success was in the 2002-2003 season against Hajduk Split when they finished runners up in the Croatian Cup, losing to Hajduk Split 4-1 on aggregate. In the 2004-05 season the club changed its name into NK Pula 1856, because the year 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, in 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 summer 2007, the name was changed for the fifth time in as many years, to NK Istra 1961. The change of name came after an ultimatium from the local fans Demons who said the club will have their support only if the club changes its name and club colours to the traditional city colours (yellow and green).

Its crest features the city's Roman Arena in Pula, as well as the old team crest.

Pula play their home matches at the recently renovated Stadion Aldo Drosina, which has a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators.

Recent seasons

Key

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

Matches in Prva HNL

Source^[1]

All-time total in the Prva HNL

Current squad

As of 16 December 2011

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

Honours

• Croatian Second Division:
  • Winners (2): 2003-04, 2008-09
• Croatian Third Division:
  • Winners (1): 2000-01
• Croatian Cup:
  • Runners up: 2002-03

Notable players

• Stiven Rivić
• Asim Šehić
• Marjan Marković
• Nikola Kalinić
• Manuel Pamić
• Mohamed Kalilou Traoré

References

External links

• Official website (Croatian)
• Istra 1961 profile at UEFA.com
• Istra 1961 profile at Sportnet.hr (Croatian)
• Istra 1961 profile at Nogometni magazin (Croatian)