Matchday 28 of the Estonian Premium Liiga brought not only the highly anticipated Tallinn derby, but also three other fixtures with plenty at stake. Paide Linnameeskond’s debutant Bubacarr Trawally marked his first appearance with a goal, helping his side to victory over bottom club JK Tallinna Kalev. Meanwhile, their rivals Nõmme Kalju and Narva Trans both dropped points in a goalless draw. Elsewhere, Harju JK Laagri recorded their second straight win, strengthening their fight for survival.
In the late kickoff, Paide Linnameeskond traveled to face the league’s last-placed side, JK Tallinna Kalev. The hosts, without a win since July 13 and sitting six points adrift of Kuressaare, were desperate for a turnaround.
Paide, however, wasted no time. Veteran Siim Luts opened the scoring in the 13th minute, before the team’s new signing, former Gambian international Bubacarr Trawally – who made his name as a prolific forward in the Chinese Super League – doubled the lead in the 32nd minute.
Chasing their third win over Kalev this season, Paide kept pressing. In stoppage time, 18-year-old Gambian striker Abdourahman Badamosi sealed the result with his second goal of the season. The 3-0 win further strengthened Paide’s hold on a European qualification spot, stretching the gap over their nearest challengers.
JK Tallinna Kalev vs Paide Linnameeskond – 0:3 (0:2)
Goals: S.Lits 13′, Trawally 32′ Badamosi 90′
In another key clash, Narva Trans and Nõmme Kalju – both battling for a possible European place – played out a goalless draw.
The two sides had produced decisive results in their three previous meetings this season: Kalju winning the first two encounters, before Trans claimed victory a month ago. This time, however, the match lacked clear chances, and neither side could find the breakthrough.
The result is a boost for Paide Linnameeskond, who sit above both teams, and also leaves the surprise package Pärnu JK Vaprus still in touching distance just below them. Kalju continue to hold a three-point edge over Narva in the standings.
JK Narva Trans vs Nõmme Kalju FC – 0:0 (0:0)
Harju JK Laagri’s recent momentum continued with a vital 2-1 win over Kuressaare, played at the freshly renovated Laagri Arena, now featuring a new artificial turf and stand.
Ramol Sillamaa struck his second goal in as many games to put Harju ahead late in the first half, before Kristofer Piht doubled the lead shortly after the restart. Although Kuressaare’s Aleksander Iljin quickly pulled one back to set up a tense finale, the equalizer never came.
Harju held firm to claim all three points, leapfrogging Tartu JK Tammeka into seventh place and opening up a five-point cushion over ninth-placed Kuressaare.
Harju JK Laagri vs FC Kuressaare – 2:1 (1:0)
Goals: Sillamaa 39′, Piht 48′ | Iljin 52′
Matchday 29 is already around the corner, with the standout fixture taking place in Nõmme. Local side Nõmme Kalju FC will be aiming to extend FCI Levadia’s poor run and reignite their own push for Europe.
Premium Liiga Matchday 28 results:
- 16.09.2025 – Tartu JK Tammeka vs Parnu JK Vaprus – 1:4
- 17.09.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs Nomme Kalju FC – 0:0
- 17.09.2025 – Harju JK Laagri vs FC Kuressaare – 2:1
- 17.09.2025 – FCI Levadia vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1:3
- 17.09.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs Paide Linnameeskond – 0:3
| # | 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 |
