Flora bounced back from a difficult week with a 2-1 victory over Pärnu Vaprus in the Premium Liiga Matchday 24. The major story in today’s game was that the 14-year-old Denis Zotov made history by becoming one of the youngest players ever to feature in Estonia’s top flight as he came on as a substitue for Flora in the second half.
The visitors arrived in Pärnu desperate to halt a difficult run that had seen them suffer back-to-back defeats to Andorran opposition in Europe, dismiss head coach Konstantin Vassiljev and then lose 2-3 at home to Kuressaare in Karl Mööl’s first league match as interim manager.
Despite the poor recent form, Flora controlled proceedings from the opening whistle. Rauno Alliku forced the first save of the evening before Daniil Kuraksin and Sander Tovstik both tested the Vaprus defence with efforts from distance.
The hosts struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, relying mainly on counter-attacks, while Flora continued to dominate possession and territory. Their patience was rewarded in the 29th minute when Sander Alamaa drilled a dangerous low cross into the penalty area. The 18-year-old Marten Kukkonen in his third Premium Liiga match of his career attacked the delivery and, after a slight deflection, the ball found its way into the net to give the visitors a deserved lead. It was his first Premium Liiga goal.
Flora doubled their advantage seven minutes later from another set piece. Kukkonen’s excellent corner found Oscar Pihela at the far post, and the defender powered a header home to make it 2-0.
The visitors continued to threaten before the interval, with Kolobov curling a long-range effort narrowly wide, and they headed into half-time fully deserving of their two-goal advantage after limiting Vaprus to just two shots, neither of which tested goalkeeper Evert Grünvald.
The second half proved a much more even affair as Vaprus gradually grew into the contest. Although chances remained limited during the opening stages, the home side began pushing Flora deeper into their own half and finally found a breakthrough in the 71st minute.
Sten Viidas cut inside from the left flank and beat Grünvald from a tight angle after being picked out by Aloe, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense finale.
Flora had an immediate opportunity to restore their two-goal cushion, but Kukkonen was denied by a fine save from Ott Nõmm, while the match also saw 14-year-old Denis Zotov make his Premium Liiga debut for the visitors, coming in the 71st minute of the game, becoming one of the youngest players ever to feature in Estonia’s top flight.
Vaprus continued to search for an equaliser during the closing stages and came closest when Matthias Limberg headed over from close range after Viidas had been crowded out inside the penalty area.
Flora also introduced two more debutants late on, with 18-year-old Eerik Paltser and 17-year-old Karl-Tristan Lorenz both making their first Premium Liiga appearances.
The visitors ultimately held on through two minutes of stoppage time to secure an important victory. Flora are still third in the league table with 42 points after 22 matches, 14 points behind leaders Levadia. Meanwhile Vaprus with 27 points in 23 games are 7th in the league table.
Pärnu Vaprus vs Flora Tallinn – 1-2 (0-2)
Goals: Viidas 71′ | Kukkonen 29′, Pihela 36′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
23 | 17 | 5 | 1 | 61 | 18 | 43 | 56 |
| 2 |  Nõmme Kalju |
24 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 43 | 19 | 24 | 44 |
| 3 |  FC Flora |
22 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 44 | 25 | 19 | 42 |
| 4 |  Paide |
23 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 30 | 8 | 39 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
21 | 10 | 2 | 9 | 24 | 31 | -7 | 32 |
| 6 |  Harju |
24 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 34 | 40 | -6 | 28 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
23 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 31 | 44 | -13 | 27 |
| 8 |  Nõmme United |
24 | 8 | 1 | 15 | 41 | 58 | -17 | 25 |
| 9 |  Kuressaare |
24 | 7 | 3 | 14 | 25 | 39 | -14 | 24 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
24 | 5 | 2 | 17 | 18 | 55 | -37 | 17 |
