Nõmme United, who were relegated from the Premium Liiga in the 2024 season, are making their return to the Estonian top-flight for the 2026 season, after a dominant 4-1 win away at FC Tallinn.
Before the 33rd gameweek’s fixture against FC Tallinn, United went to the match, knowing that a draw will be enough for them to seal automatic promotion, with four games left of the season. In case of a loss, second place Viimsi JK would have had a mathematical chance to finish ahead of the Männiku based side, come the end of the season.
Leading up to the match, United, who had collected 80 points in 31 matches, were on an eight game winning streak, with their last defeat coming on the 2nd of August. Meanwhile FC Tallinn are still fighting for survival, leading against FCI Levadia’s U21’s team at eighth place by two points.
United took the lead of the game on the 25th minute, after the ex-Levadia midfielder Nikita Vassiljev’s long range effort landed in the bottom corner. The lead was doubled before the half time break through striker and vice-captain Kevin Mätas, who drilled home a failed clearance.
Shortly after the break, United added a third goal on the 50th minute, with Benjamine Chisala also adding his name to the scoresheet. Four minutes later, the hosts managed to grab a goal back, after the veteran Kirill Nesterov lobbed the ball over Gregor Pürg in between the sticks. On the 85th minute, Tallinn were awarded a penalty, thanks to a handball offense in the box by Ricky Chanda, but Dinars Ekharts’ spot kick came back into play off the left post. On the 90th minute, the final result was settled by Chisala, who came off the pitch with a brace to his name, after dribbling his way past the outcoming Bolgov.
United’s defender Mathias Palts expressed satisfaction after the match: “The feeling is good, you don’t get to win the league every day, today is that day, we are very happy! We have trained for this for the whole season, we knew that next season we want to play in the Premium Liiga, and today it is settled.”
FC Tallinn 1 – 4 FC Nõmme United (0-2)
Goals: 50′ Nesterov – 25′ Vassiljev; 43′ Mätas; 50′, 90′ Chisala
Missed penalty: 85′ Ekharts
FC Tallinn: Bolgov, Salamatov (59′ Shevchuk), Ussatšov, Avilov, Tiniakov, Dmitrijev, Šesterikov (63′ Mohhov), Vynnychuk (76′ Golovljov), Nesterov, Ekharts, Arhipov (59′ Kulik)
Nõmme United: Pürg, Ossep (65′ Frolov), Palts, Chanda, Läänelaid (46′ Alteberg), Truuväärt (81′ Beglarishvili), Vassiljev (65′ Kokka), Radomski, Owusu, Mätas (81′ Leppik), Chisala
