Prekmurje–Styria derby

History and rivalry culture

The rivalry traced its roots back in the late 1960s and the time of SFR Yugoslavia when the first match between the two clubs was played. Although the first match was played in 1967 it was not until the independence of Slovenia from 1991 onwards when most of the matches were played. Before the establishment of the 1. SNL in 1991 both clubs have never played together in the top division and the rivalry became apparent only in the 1990s when both clubs were among the top teams of the newly established league.

In 1991, after the declared independence of Slovenia, both clubs were the founding members of the Slovenian first league, 1. SNL, and played there up until the end of 2004–05 season and the dissolution of NK Mura. Maribor comes from the city of Maribor, capital city of the Styria region, and was one of the most industrialized cities in Yugoslavia and the majority of its fans were the representatives of the working class. Mura on the other hand comes from a small, rural town of Murska Sobota which is the center of the poorest region in Slovenia, Prekmurje.. Prekmurje was, for about a thousand years, part of the Kingdom of Hungary, unlike other Slovene Lands. It therefore maintains certain specific linguistic, cultural, and religious features that differentiate it from other Slovenian traditional regions. The Mura River, which runs on the border between Styria and Prekmurje, was therefore not just a natural barrier, but political as well. During the 1990s and early 2000s the two clubs were the most successful and popular teams in the eastern part of the country. Although Mura won only one Cup (1994–95) in its history they were nevertheless considered as a top Slovenian team, especially in the 1990s when they continuously finished the season among top teams either in the league, cup or supercup. Maribor on the other hand was much more successful as by the end of 2004–05 season they have won seven championships and five cups. During the first seven seasons of the 1. SNL both clubs finished on top three positions on 3 occasions and at least one of them finished on first or second position during this period. The rivalry reached its peak in 2003–04 season when Mura hosted Maribor at home in the final round of the season. Before the match Maribor was leading the table and was close in winning their eighth consecutive title while the mid table position of Mura was predetermined before the final round. However, Mura won the match 2–1 and Maribor eventually lost the title by two points. At the end of 2004 NK Mura was dissolved and, as the season was already in progress, was allowed to finish the rest of the 2004–05 season after which it effectively ceased all operations.

On 16 June 2005, a new club was established, under the name ND Mura 05, retaining Mura's fans, colours and youth team players. However, due to the fact that the new Mura is supported by most of the fans of the previous Mura, including their ultras group the Black Gringos, who has a long-standing rivalry with Maribor's own ultras group Viole Maribor, many see the matches between Maribor and the new club as the continuation of the rivalry. The first match between NK Maribor and ND Mura 05 took place in Murska Sobota on 17 September 2008, in a Slovenian cup (Round of 16) match that was won by Maribor, 3–1. Although Mura was, at the time, a second division team the stadium was packed with home and away fans. For the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons, Mura was a member of the Slovenian PrvaLiga. After the 2012–13 season, the club went into the financial difficulties again and was dissolved. The newly established club used its youth selections to register a team for the 2013–14 season under the name NŠ Mura.

Statistically, Maribor is the more successful club either in the case of matches only from the period from 1967 to 2005 or the whole period from 1967 to present day.

Fans

Besides the city of Maribor itself and the surrounding area NK Maribor also has a large fan base in the whole regions of Styria and Carinthia. The club also draws significant number of supporters from northern Upper Carniola and northeastern Lower Carniola as well as the capital city of Ljubljana, due to a large number of students and workers from eastern part of the country. Mura on the other hand draws majority of its fans exclusively from the region of Prekmurje where it is, by far, the most popular sports club. Small number of supporters are also present in other Slovenian cities, among Prekmurje natives who moved there either for work or education. The fact that Prekmurje is one of the smallest and least populated regions in Slovenia has made Mura's fans labeled, by the general public, as one of the most loyal in the country.

Both Maribor and Mura always had support on their matches from ultras groups called Viole Maribor, supporting Maribor, and the Black Gringos who supported Mura. Statistically, both teams always enjoyed one of the biggest attendances on their matches.

Official statistics

Official statistics of honours won by NK Maribor and NK Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, as treated by the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) and the Association of Slovenian First League, 1.SNL (Združenje prvoligašev). The honours are counted until 2004, when Mura was dissolved.

Yugoslav football leagues

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played in the same league.

¹Second Yugoslav division; ²Third Yugoslav Division; Source: Archive data on nkmaribor.com
• Total: Maribor 10 wins (71.5%), 3 draw (21.5%), Mura 1 win (7%).

Slovenian first league

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played in the 1.SNL. From 2005 onwards, the table also shows the results between Maribor and Mura 05, established in 2005 and dissolved in 2013, who is legally not a successor of the old Mura (1924–2004).

¹ND Mura 05 established in 2005.
Source: Archive data on prvaliga.si and rtvslo.si
Note: For five consecutive seasons (from the 1998–99 season until the 2002–03 season), Slovenian League had a three round robin and the matches of the final third of the season were determined based on the league position after the first two thirds of the season.
• Total: Maribor 26 wins (51%), 14 draw (27%), Mura 11 wins (21%).

Yugoslav cups

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played in the Yugoslav cup. All matches were played as part of the Slovenian regional cup and were used as qualifiers for the main event.

Source: Archive data on nkmaribor.com and Večer newspaper archive
• Series won: Maribor 7 (100%), Mura 0 (0%).

Slovenian cup

The head-to-head matches shows the results of Maribor and Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played in the Slovenian cup. From 2005 onwards, the table also shows the results between Maribor and Mura 05, established in 2005 and dissolved in 2013, who is legally not a successor of the old Mura (1924–2004).

¹ND Mura 05 established in 2005. Source: Archive data on nkmaribor.com and nzs.si
• Series won: Maribor 4 (80%), Mura 1 (20%).

Statistics

The head-to-head statistics shows the results of NK Maribor and NK Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played against each other in the Slovenian League and Cup. From 2005 onwards, the table also shows the results of Mura 05, established in 2005 and dissolved in 2013, who is legally not a successor to the old NK Mura (1924–2004).

Ranking

The head-to-head ranking table shows the results of NK Maribor and NK Mura, established in 1924 and dissolved in 2004, when they played in the same league.

¹Yugoslav second division; ²Yugoslav third division;
• Total: Maribor 19 times higher (90.5%), Mura 2 times higher (9.5%).