In the 27th round of the Estonian Premium Liiga, FC Kuressaare produced a spirited comeback at home to end their five-game losing streak with a crucial 2-1 victory over relegation rivals JK Tallinna Kalev. The hero of the night was Märten Pajunurm, whose two second-half goals turned the match around and gave the islanders a vital boost in their survival battle.
Going into the clash, the two sides occupied the bottom spots in the table, with Kuressaare holding a narrow three-point cushion. In their two previous meetings this season, the teams had shared the spoils equally, with Kuressaare winning 2-0 at home back in May.
The opening minutes saw both teams testing each other with set pieces and long throws, though without success. Kalev gradually took control, with new signing Felix Sambe and veteran Ats Purje looking lively in attack. Kuressaare survived a scare when defender Dražen Dubackic nearly headed into goal, but the danger passed.
Kalev’s persistence paid off in the 42nd minute when VAR intervened after the ball struck Kuressaare’s Sten Prunn on the arm inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, and Taaniel Usta calmly converted to put the visitors 1-0 up at the break.
The second half started with Kuressaare goalkeeper Karl-Romet Nõmm pulling off a sensational save to deny Usta from close range, keeping his side in the game. That proved decisive, as Kuressaare clawed their way back.
In the 59th minute, fortune finally smiled on the hosts. Another long throw-in caused havoc in Kalev’s box, and this time Dubackic handled the ball. Pajunurm stepped up and buried the penalty down the middle to level the score at 1-1.
Fired up by the equalizer, Kuressaare pushed forward. Substitute Joonas Vahermägi injected fresh energy, winning a free kick on the edge of the area. Pajunurm, brimming with confidence, curled the ball past the wall and into the side netting in the 74th minute to complete the turnaround.
Kalev threw everything forward in the closing stages, but Kuressaare’s defense stood tall. Nõmm commanded his area well, and despite late efforts from substitute Michael Udebuluzor, the visitors couldn’t break through.
When the final whistle blew, Kuressaare celebrated a massive 2-1 victory that lifted them to eighth place, six points clear of Kalev. After weeks of frustration, the islanders finally had their reward – and Pajunurm, with his match-winning brace, cemented his status as the night’s hero.
FC Kuressaare vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Pajunurm 64′ (Penalty kick) 79′ | Usta 43′ (Penalty kick)
Premium Liiga Matchday 27 Games
- 13.09.2025 – FC Flora Tallinn vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 3:0
- 13.09.2025 – Tartu JK Tammeka vs FCI Levadia – 2:2
- 14.09.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs Harju JK Laagri – 1:3
- 14.09.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 2:1
- 14.09.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs Nomme Kalju FC – 1:1
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | FC Flora | 36 | 26 | 4 | 6 | 53 | 82 |
| 2 | FCI Levadia | 36 | 25 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 79 |
| 3 | Nõmme Kalju | 36 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 32 | 74 |
| 4 | Paide | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 31 | 70 |
| 5 | Narva Trans | 36 | 15 | 6 | 15 | -1 | 51 |
| 6 | Pärnu Vaprus | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 49 |
| 7 | Harju JK | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | -21 | 36 |
| 8 | Tammeka Tartu | 36 | 9 | 3 | 24 | -36 | 30 |
| 9 | FC Kuressaare | 36 | 8 | 4 | 24 | -35 | 28 |
| 10 | Tallinna Kalev | 36 | 5 | 2 | 29 | -81 | 17 |
