“Dinamo” returned to Zagreb football club name on this day 21 years ago

On this day, on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2000, the General Assembly of Croatian football club Dinamo Zagreb returned the name “Dinamo” to the club. 

Until the early 1990s, its foundation year was considered to be 1945 but amid political turmoil during the breakup of Yugoslavia the club began claiming direct lineage to pre-WWII clubs Građanski Zagreb and HAŠK. 

In order to reflect this, in June 1991, it was renamed HAŠK Građanski, which lasted until February 1993 when it was renamed NK Croatia, and was also known as Croatia Zagreb. 

This name lasted 7 years until it was changed again and the name Dinamo was re-introduced, much to the delight of the hardcore fan base. 

In a secret ballot, the assembly members had three choices – Dinamo, Croatia or to add their own idea for the name.

Dinamo Zagreb

44 out of 50 members appeared at the Assembly on Valentine’s Day, and a majority of more than half, at least 26, was required for the validity of the vote. 43 members ended up voting for the return of the name Dinamo.

The one member who did not vote in favour was not too off from desired change, he wanted to change the club name to – Dinamo-Croatia, the club said today. 

Around 3,000 happy fans gathered to welcome the news outside the board room at Maksimir stadium.