Tammeka snatches last-minute victory in wild thriller against Kuressaare

FC Kuressaare and Tartu Tammeka served up an unforgettable clash packed with rare drama, controversy, and a whirlwind of goals and cards. A chaotic 3–2 win for Tammeka was sealed in the ninth minute of added time, capping off one of the most dramatic matches of the Premium Liiga season so far.

The midweek round kicked off with this matchup between table neighbors, both fielding identical starting lineups to their weekend games—Tammeka fresh off a 2–1 win over Harju, while Kuressaare had narrowly lost 1–2 to Levadia. The two sides were level on points, and the loser stood to fall to the relegation play-off spot.

Tammeka had edged the last two meetings, including a 1–0 win back in April under new coach Siim Valtna, thanks to a Kuressaare own goal. But this match had far more twists.

Disaster struck for Tammeka in the 8th minute when goalkeeper Richard Aland misplayed a pass, allowing Aleksander Iljin to intercept and score into an empty net. Things got worse when Epton wrestled Pajunurm to the ground during a corner, conceding a penalty. Pajunurm stepped up himself—but his tame shot was easily saved, letting Tammeka off the hook.

However, Kuressaare did find a second goal in the 31st minute. Leivategija finished off a counterattack after hitting the post and reacting quickest to tap in the rebound: 2–0.

Tammeka weren’t out yet. Basher pulled one back with a well-placed strike in the 38th minute after a pass from Uggeri. Then, just before halftime, Pajunurm’s error gifted possession again, and after quick touches from Uggeri and Basher, Tanimowo slotted in the equalizer. An action-packed first half ended 2–2.

Tammeka appeared to have completed the comeback in the 55th minute when Koskor found the net from a tight angle. But after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build-up—Epton had clipped Iljin’s leg. Even worse, Epton was then shown a second yellow card, reducing Tammeka to ten men.

Despite being down to ten men, Tammeka pushed forward. Only a string of saves from Kuressaare goalkeeper Nõmm and a goal-line clearance by Prunn kept the visitors at bay. But in the 97th minute, Pajunurm fouled Pedmanson, and the referee pointed to the spot.

Basher stepped up and coolly converted the penalty in the 99th minute, sending the keeper the wrong way and completing one of the most dramatic wins of the season.

After falling behind 0–2 and seeing their go-ahead goal wiped out and replaced by a red card, Tammeka showed grit and nerve to claim a sweet and improbable victory in one of the most dramatic matches of the Estonian top-flight season.

FC Kuressaare vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 2:3 (2:2)
Goals: Iljin 8′, Leivategija 31′ | Adebayo 38′ 90+9′ (penalty kick), Tanimowo 45′,
KUR: Nomm, Saar, Kobin, Pajunurm, Prunn, Domov (Jermatsenko 80′), Smirnov (Sinilaid 60′), Demidov (Pevtsov 69′), Leivategija, Iljin, Kivi
TAM: Aland, Miil, Ogungbe, Karis, Veelma, Epton, Lang, Uggeri (Ignatius 62′), Koskor (Laabus 86′), Tanimowo (Pedmanson 46′), Adebayo

Premium Liiga Matchday 17 games:

• 17.06.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 2:3
• 18.06.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs FC Flora Tallinn – 18:00
• 18.06.2025 – FCI Levadia vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 18:00
• 18.06.2025 – Parnu JK Vaprus vs Paide Linnameeskond – 19:00
• 18.06.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs Harju JK Laagri – 20:00