The Estonian Football Awards of the Year have been held, as FC St. Pauli center back Karol Mets and Ferencvaros striker Vlada Kubassova were named men’s and women’s Players of the Year. Both players have won the award once before – Mets in 2023 and Kubassova in 2022.
The results were decided by a vote from the Estonian Football Journalists Club and the Estonian FA.
Getting his 100th national team cap in November, the 32-year old Karol Mets is a starting name for both club and country. This year, the captain of the national team, played in nine games for the national team, playing 90 minutes in every single one of these matches. In May, Mets’ club FC St. Pauli guaranteed promotion to the German top flight, Bundesliga. He has played 10 games for the club this season.
Mets said in his speech:
“It is a pleasure to be here with all of you today and to be a part of such recognition. It was a very special year for me. I am glad, that the consistency and hard work has paid off massively. I would like to thank all the people, who voted for me. I would like to thank my family and the people who have travelled to watch me play in these past years. And also to apologise on front of the people who I have not been able to help to the stadium. To end this short speech, I would like to thank my chef, my cleaner, my mental health coach and my administrator, my partner Kristi – you are full of energy and a wonderful Estonian woman! And if I was honest, I already won the award in 2010, but I received it today. Thank you all and Merry Christmas.”
| Men’s Player of the Year Standings: | Final points: |
| 1. Karol Mets | 194 (45 first places) |
| 2. Karl Jakob Hein | 182 (31 first places) |
| 3. Rocco Robert Shein | 21 |
| 4. Maksim Paskotši | 16 |
| 5. Mihkel Ainsalu | 12 |
| 6-7. Henri Anier | 8 |
| 6-7. Alex Matthias Tamm | 8 |
| 8. Vlasi Sinjavski | 5 |
| 9. Joonas Tamm | 4 |
| 10. Michael Schjönning-Larsen | 2 |
| 11-14. Patrik Kristal | 1 |
| 11-14. Kevor Palumets | 1 |
| 11-14. Markus Poom | 1 |
| 11-14. Ioan Yakovlev | 1 |
In November, 29-year old Kubassova reached her 75th game in the national team. She played in all 11 games this year, starting in all and scoring three goals. At the start of the year, Kubassova signed for Hungarian club Ferencvaros, with who she lifted the league title in May. In the current season, Kubassova is a starting name on the team sheet, scoring seven goals.
| Women’s Player of the Year standings: | Final points: |
| 1. Vlada Kubassova | 63 (15 first places) |
| 2. Lisete Tammik | 57 (10 first places) |
| 3. Siret Räämet | 11 (1 first place) |
| 4. Liisa Merisalu | 10 |
| 5. Kairi Himanen | 4 |
| 6-7. Jaanika Volkov | 3 |
| 6-7. Kristina Teern | 3 |
| 8. Anette Salei | 2 |
| 9-11. Mari Liis Lillemäe | 1 |
| 9-11. Kelly Rosen | 1 |
| 9-11. Emma Treiberg | 1 |
In the Premium Liiga, Nõmme Kalju FC striker Alex Matthias Tamm was chosen as the Player of the Season. who also picked up the Golden Boot, the most goal contributions and the best attacker awards, as well as a spot in the Team of the Season.
| Premium Liiga Player of the Season, voted by coaches: | Final points: |
| 1. Alex Matthias Tamm | 17 (2 first places) |
| 2. Mihkel Ainsalu | 14 (4 first places) |
| 3-4. Rasmus Peetson | 4 |
| 3-4. Zakaria Beglarišvili | 4 |
| 5-8. Joao Pedro | 3 (1 first place) |
| 5-8. Markus Soomets | 3 (1 first place) |
| 5-8. Michael Schjönning-Larsen | 3 (1 first place) |
| 5-8. Promise David | 3 (1 first place) |
| 9-11. Ioan Yakovlev | 2 |
| 9-11. Patrik Kristal | 2 |
| 9-11. Robi Saarma | 2 |
| 12-13. Til Mavretic | 1 |
| 12-13. Sergei Zenjov | 1 |
Premium Liiga Team of the Season 2024:
Ebrima Jarju (Paide)
Michael Schjönning-Larsen (Levadia)
Rasmus Peetson (Levadia)
Maksim Podholjuzin (Kalju)
Ioan Yakovlev (Levadia)
Mihkel Ainsalu (Levadia)
Joao Pedro (Levadia)
Sergei Zenjov (Flora)
Alex Matthias Tamm (Kalju)
Abdoulie Ceesay (Paide)
Robi Saarma (Paide)
Sources:
https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/intervjuu-galal-pisara-poetanud-mets-toi-oma-karjaari-parimast-aastast-esile-viis-tipphetke
https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/premium-liiga-aasta-mangija-on-jalgpalligalal-kuhjaga-auhindu-saanud-alex-matthias-tamm
https://soccernet.ee/artikkel/eesti-parimad-jalgpallurid-on-teist-korda-karol-mets-ja-vlada-kubassova