Flora capitalize on Paide mistake, Eerme scores a hat-trick in Harju’s win against Tammeka

On the opening day of Matchday 8 of the Estonian Premium Liiga, Tallinn FC Flora capitalized on a mistake by Paide Linnameeskond, defeating them 1-0 and ending their four-game winning streak. Meanwhile, in other matches, Kuressaare ended their five-game losing streak, and Harju, thanks to a hat-trick by Karel Eerme, beat Tartu JK Tammeka.

Both teams had a strong start to the season. Paide had secured six wins out of their first seven league games, placing them just one point behind the leaders, Levadia. Meanwhile, Flora, after a shaky start under new manager Vassiljev with two losses, had turned things around, winning four of their last five matches.

Last week, in a highly anticipated Tallinn derby, Flora played to a goalless draw against their rivals, the current league leaders, Levadia. Paide Linnameeskond, on the other hand, achieved a controversial 2-1 victory over Harju JK Laagri. Last season, Paide dominated the series against Flora, winning three out of four meetings, and this season Flora, under Vassiljev, were eager to change that narrative.

Flora managed to secure the victory with the only goal of the match in the first half. Following persistent pressure from Flora’s players, a mistake by Paide’s defenders led to Rauno Sappinen scoring his fourth goal of the season. After the goal, Paide pressed hard to equalize, but their lack of finishing and exceptional defending by Flora prevented them from scoring.

In the closing minutes of the match, Flora’s defender Mihhail Kolobov received a second yellow card and was sent off, allowing one last offensive push for Paide. However, as time ran out, the referee blew the final whistle, confirming Flora’s unbeaten streak of six league games, with five of those being victories, while Paide’s four-game winning streak came to an end.

Tallinn FC Flora vs Paide Linnameeskond – 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Sappinen 26′
Yellow Card: Kolobov 89′ | Badamosi 86′, Delevic 88′, He.Ojamaa 89′ Red Card: Kolobov 90+3′
FLO: Grunvald – Hussar, Kolobov, Tougjas, Tovstik – Mihhailov, Teevali – Kuraksin (Zenjov 61′), Poom, Alamaa (Alliku 66′) – Sappinen (Veering 90+4′)
PAI: Jarju – Lilander, Delevic, Baranov, Saliste – D.Luts (Gueye 57′), Miller, Hoim (Suso 57′), He.Ojamaa – Reinkort (Badamosi 57′), Saarma (S.Luts 78′)

In the other matches of the day, FC Kuressaare ended their five-game losing streak and secured just their second win of the season by defeating Parnu JK Vaprus 1-0.

Kuressaare was particularly dangerous from set pieces throughout the match, as Parnu struggled to contain their attacking opportunities. The only goal of the game came after a corner kick. A Parnu player cleared the ball, but it reached Pavel Domov, who scored with a shot from the edge of the box, beating Parnu goalkeeper Nomm and giving Kuressaare the lead. This marked Domov’s first goal in the Premium Liiga since July 2023.

With this victory, Kuressaare moved out of the last place in the league table, while Parnu JK Vaprus, after a promising start to the season, is now winless in their last four games.

FC Kuressaare vs Parnu JK Vaprus – 1:0 (1:0)
Goals: Domov 37′
Yellow Card: Pevtsov 82′ | Mag.Villota 74′, Seppik 90+4′
KUR: Nomm – Saar, Sinilaid, Pajunurm, Prunn – Domov, Smirnov – Demidov, Jermatsenko (Kivi 63′), Iljin – Lipp (Pevtsov 63′)
PAR: Nomm – Lipp, Mag.Villota, Seppik – Veensalu (Kapper 83′), Mat.Villota, Valja, Sild – Poder (Aloe 32′) – Vallik, Pajo

In the last match of the day, Harju JK Laagri achieved a comeback victory against Tartu JK Tammeka, winning 4-1 thanks to Karel Eerme’s first career hat trick in the Premium Liiga.

Tartu took an early lead when their Nigerian star striker, Ahmed Adebayo, scored his fifth goal of the season. However, that was the only positive moment for Tartu in the match.

In the 25th minute, Harju scored, but the goal was disallowed after a VAR review due to a foul in the buildup. In the second half, Harju’s offensive efforts paid off. Karel Eerme, last season’s Esiliiga runner-up in the goals scored category, netted three goals in just 12 minutes to secure Harju’s comeback win. The 20-year-old striker, who had previously scored three goals in seven matches, now leads the Premium Liiga top scorer list with his hat-trick.

Later in the match, Harju’s Ukrainian midfielder, Daniil Rudenko, added a goal of his own to go along with his two assists, ensuring that Harju secured the victory and ended their four-game winless streak.

Following this win, Harju moved up to sixth place in the league table, while Tartu JK Tammeka is now tied for last place with JK Tallinn Kalev, both teams sitting on four points.

Harju JK Laagri vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 4:1 (0:1)
Goals: Eerme 54′ 62′ 66′, Rudenko 80′ | Adebayo 7′
Yellow Card: Antonov 29′, Laur 58′, Rudenko 69′ | Tanimowo 28′, Ignatius 75′
HAR: Baturins – Jarve, Kaevats, Laur, Antonov (Suppi 67′) – Roomussaar, Ribeiro (Kelement 79′) – Rudenko (Sikk 90+4′), Reimaa (Kose 46′) – Eerme, Piht (Kartau 46′)
TAM: Aland – Ounpuu, Vaino, Kallas (Kiidron 85′), Veelma – Lang, Karis – Pedmanson (Ignatius 62′), Koskor (Gvineria 85′), Tanimowo (Burov 62′) – Adebayo (Miil 85′)