In Norway’s second division, IK Start, featuring Estonian international midfielder Markus Soomets, were unable to overturn a three-goal deficit, falling 2-3 at home to close rivals Kongsvinger.
The 25-year-old midfielder once again started in Start’s lineup. Today’s fixture against table neighbors Kongsvinger carried long-term significance, with promotion to the Norwegian Eliteserien on the line next season – and the visitors took full advantage. Kongsvinger opened the scoring late in the first half and added two more goals in the 57th and 75th minutes to take a 3-0 lead. Start fought back with a goal in the 84th minute and further reduced the deficit in stoppage time, but time ran out, and the home side suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat.
Soomets played the full 90 minutes, marking his ninth appearance since joining Start over the summer, during which he has scored once and registered one assist. Despite the loss, IK Start remain in the automatic promotion spot in second place, though Kongsvinger have closed the gap to four points with eight league games remaining. Start will look to bounce back on Saturday when they host Ranheim.
Meanwhile, in Slovakia’s top division, 19-year-old Dimitri Jepihhin came off the bench as AS Trenčín suffered a 0-3 loss to Ružomberok. Jepihhin, gradually returning to form after injury, entered the match in the 55th minute with the score still 0-0. Ružomberok went on to score three goals in the remaining time, securing a comfortable victory.
This was only Jepihhin’s second appearance of the season. Before the international break, he returned from injury in a match against Prešov. Last winter, Jepihhin moved to Slovakia from Paide Linnameeskond, scoring two goals in 11 appearances last season. Trenčín will face Podbrezová, featuring fellow Estonian Kevor Palumets, in their next match next Saturday.
