Premium Liiga top goal-scorer Rauno Sappinen stole the spotlight in the opening match of Matchday 33, netting a stunning hat-trick to lead FC Flora Tallinn to a dominant 4-0 home victory over JK Narva Trans.
After back-to-back defeats at the end of September, Flora have rediscovered their rhythm under Konstantin Vassiljev, recording two straight wins – including a 6-0 demolition of JK Tallinna Kalev in their previous outing. Facing Narva Trans, who no longer have a realistic shot at the top three and had drawn their last match against Pärnu JK Vaprus, Flora looked confident and composed from the start.
Vassiljev rotated his lineup, making five changes to the starting eleven, while Narva’s Ukrainian coach Roman Kozhukhovskyi reintroduced German Slein after suspension and handed Mykhailo Kozhushko his first start in two months.
Flora wasted no time taking control. Just nine minutes in, a chaotic sequence from a corner ended with the ball falling kindly to Rauno Sappinen, who calmly slotted home from close range to make it 1-0.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and create chances, forcing several key saves from the Narva keeper. It wasn’t until early in the second half that the lead was doubled – again through Sappinen, who turned in Markus Poom’s precise low cross to make it 2-0.
Fifteen minutes later, Sappinen completed his hat-trick in style. Collecting a long ball from his goalkeeper, he spun past his marker and charged through midfield before unleashing a perfect strike into the far corner – his 18th goal of the season, extending his lead atop the scoring charts.
With the job done, Sappinen was substituted to a standing ovation in the 80th minute, but Flora weren’t finished yet. Substitute Danil Kuraksin added the finishing touch with a thunderous shot into the top corner – his second goal in as many games and ninth overall this season – sealing the 4-0 scoreline.
Thanks to this convincing win, Flora restored their three-point lead at the top of the Premium Liiga table ahead of their title rivals FCI Levadia, who host Paide Linnameeskond tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Narva Trans remain safely in fifth place. Flora will next travel to Paide for a key clash this weekend, while Narva face Harju JK Laagri a day earlier.
FC Flora Tallinn vs JK Narva Trans – 4:0 (1:0)
Goals: Sappinen 8′ 52′ 65′, Kuraksin 84′
In the day’s other fixture, FC Kuressaare ended Pärnu JK Vaprus’s impressive eight-match home unbeaten run across all competitions with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a first-half strike from Andero Kivi – his sixth goal of the season.
Pärnu JK Vaprus vs FC Kuressaare – 0:1 (0:1)
Goals: Kivi 30′
Premium Liiga Matchday 33:
- 21.10.2025 – FC Flora Tallinn vs JK Narva Trans – 4:0
- 21.10.2025 – Pärnu JK Vaprus vs FC Kuressaare – 0:1
- 22.10.2025 – JK Tallinna Kalev vs Nomme Kalju FC – 18:00
- 22.10.2025 – Harju JK Laagri vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 18:00
- 22.10.2025 – FCI Levadia Tallinn vs Paide Linnameeskond – 19:00
| # | 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 |
