Danil Kuraksin scored twice as Flora claimed a hugely important 2-1 home victory over Nõmme Kalju in Premium Liiga, strengthening their position in the battle for the European places while handing Kalju a fourth consecutive defeat.
There was little separating the sides before kick-off, with Flora holding only a one-point advantage and Kalju knowing that victory would lift them above their city rivals. The hosts, meanwhile, named 17-year-old Ronald Sammul in the starting lineup, while returning striker Erik Sorga began on the bench.
Flora started brightly and took the lead in the 25th minute. Sander Alamaa delivered a free kick into the area and Kuraksin was left unmarked, rising to head the ball past Henri Perk and make it 1-0.
Kalju responded quickly. After appealing unsuccessfully for a penalty moments earlier, the visitors equalised in the 33rd minute. A cross from the right took a deflection off Pihela and dropped invitingly for Rommi Siht, who reacted sharply and finished from close range into the top corner.
The first half remained open, with both teams creating opportunities, but Flora restored their advantage just before the interval. Tovstik sent a low ball across the face of goal, and after the first attempt was not dealt with, Kuraksin arrived at the far post to score his second of the evening and put Flora 2-1 ahead.
Kalju increased the pressure after the break and came close almost immediately. Substitute Baptista met a low ball across goal from close range, but Evert Grünvald produced an excellent reaction save to protect Flora’s lead.
The visitors continued to push as the half went on, while Flora made several attacking changes, introducing Erik Sorga, Rauno Alliku and Matvei Jekimov. Kalju also turned to their bench in search of an equaliser, but Grünvald remained busy and reliable in the Flora goal.
The closing stages were tense. Mattias Männilaan threatened with his activity, while Nikolajev forced another good save from Grünvald with a low shot late on. Kalju also had a corner in the final minute, but it came to nothing as Flora held on.
The 2-1 victory gave Flora a second consecutive league win, while Kalju’s difficult run continued with a fourth straight defeat. Flora with 48 points after 26 matches are second in the league table, while Kalju after this defeat are four points behind Flora, while also Paide and Tammeka are slowly creeping closer to them.
Next matches:
Flora (a) Narva Trans – September 8
Kalju (h) Nõmme United – September 8
Flora Tallinn vs Nõmme Kalju – 2-1 (2-1)
Goals: Kuraksin 24′ 45+1′ | Siht 32′
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  FCI Levadia |
24 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 64 | 20 | 44 | 59 |
| 2 |  FC Flora |
26 | 16 | 0 | 10 | 51 | 33 | 18 | 48 |
| 3 |  Nõmme Kalju |
26 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 46 | 24 | 22 | 44 |
| 4 |  Paide |
24 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 40 | 31 | 9 | 42 |
| 5 |  Tammeka |
24 | 12 | 2 | 10 | 31 | 35 | -4 | 38 |
| 6 |  Harju |
25 | 10 | 1 | 14 | 36 | 41 | -5 | 31 |
| 7 |  Pärnu Vaprus |
25 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 34 | 46 | -12 | 31 |
| 8 |  Kuressaare |
26 | 8 | 4 | 14 | 30 | 42 | -12 | 28 |
| 9 |  Nõmme United |
26 | 8 | 1 | 17 | 42 | 61 | -19 | 25 |
| 10 |  Narva Trans |
26 | 5 | 2 | 19 | 19 | 60 | -41 | 17 |
