Pärnu JK Vaprus produced one of the shocks of the Estonian season on Sunday, beating reigning champions FCI Levadia 3–1 in Tallinn to stretch their winning run in all competitions to six matches.
The Estonian summer capital club arrived on the back of an extraordinary 8–1 demolition of Tartu Tammeka, but few expected them to repeat such ruthlessness against the league holders. Yet by half-time they were three goals up, having sliced through Levadia’s defence with clinical efficiency.
Marten-Chris Paalberg set the tone in the seventh minute, racing clear after Tristan Pajo’s incisive through ball and calmly slotting past Karl Andre Vallner. Levadia continued to dominate possession and create chances, registering ten shots in the opening period, but Vaprus were defiant at the back. Then came a hammer blow: Virgo Vallik, after an initial pass was cut out, curled a superb strike into the top corner on 24 minutes to double the visitors’ advantage.
Ten minutes later, it got even better. Pajo was felled by Rasmus Peetson inside the area, picked himself up, and coolly converted the penalty to give Vaprus an astonishing 3–0 half-time lead in the capital.
Levadia responded with changes and pressed relentlessly, enjoying 70% possession in the second half. They struck the crossbar twice in one sequence through Mihkel Ainsalu and Wendell, and forced Pärnu goalkeeper Ott Nõmm into a string of saves. Their only breakthrough came in the 78th minute, and even then it was fortuitous: Wendell’s shot ricocheted off captain Magnus Villota and into his own net.
Vaprus themselves might have added a fourth on the break, but the match ended 3–1 — a landmark result for the Pärnu side. According to local statisticians, it was their first ever win over Levadia in 43 meetings, and it came away from home.
The victory also extends Vaprus’ best-ever run in the Premium Liiga. They have now won four consecutive league matches for the first time in club history, already surpassing last season’s total of 35 points. With 36 now on the board and momentum building, their 2022 tally of 48 looks within reach.
For Levadia, it was a fourth league defeat of the season and their first since May, leaving questions over the balance of Curro Torres’ side. Despite dominating play and creating 31 attempts on goal, they could not find a way past Vaprus themselves. The loss comes shortly after their painful exit from Europe, intensifying scrutiny on a team expected to retain their title.
If Levadia’s star-studded attack faltered, Vaprus’ young talents shone. Pajo was involved in all three goals and converted his penalty with confidence, while Paalberg continued his fine form with his fourth consecutive league strike, taking his season tally to eight.
Once struggling for points in spring, Vaprus are now the league’s form side — fearless, clinical, and writing club history with each passing week.
