by Harry Brown
Founded in Tartu in 2015, Ravens Futsal has grown from a small group of players into one of Estonia’s driving forces within futsal. Helping expand the sport through competitive success, youth involvement and grassroots organisation at a time where the indoor game was still finding it’s footing in the Baltic nation.
In 2007-2008 the Estonian football association became the official organiser of futsal events in Estonia, introducing a national league as well as various other competitions. Today, the sport has an established league structure and a national team that competes in international competitions.
However, as futsal was growing in Estonia, more teams were being established, such as Tartu Ravens who were established in 2015 by three founders with two being former goalkeepers. Roman Gnibida who played his football as a goalkeeper and former Estonia international futsal goalkeeper Rene Kolsar. The other being former midfielder Eldar Rassulov.
We spoke to Roman Gnibida, who is also the sporting director of the club about what it’s like running a futsal club in Estonia, as well as being part of the journey to success.
“The journey of Ravens Futsal over the past decade has been challenging yet rewarding. We began at an open-air mini football arena near a school in Tartu and we three founders came together initially to enjoy and play futsal. But soon others joined us, mostly former football players seeking something new in their sporting lives. We started in the third-tier league and gradually moved up the divisions eventually reaching the top tier and now we have established ourselves as a considerable force, consistently securing medals and play-off spots.“
Tartu Ravens have endured many years at the top level of Estonian futsal and there are many things that have shaped the club into what it is today.
“The enthusiasm of our founding team was key to the clubs longevity. There were many moments where we considered wrapping it up or to simply push more, especially with the limited attention paid to futsal by the Estonian FA, it is tough for so called ‘minor sports’.” Roman spoke about how he is thankful to the people who took interest in the club. “We were extremely fortunate to attract and retain the right people. These people are the main factors of why the club has stayed afloat during difficult times, also having experienced players helps as they are the backbone of the team.”
Ravens have a strong partnership with their local community with Roman talking about partnerships they’ve built over the last decade. “We believe that ‘Ravens is for everyone’. We see youngsters in the crowd wearing the clubs shirt, representing us and cheering for the players who play for us. Some fans even wear shirts from other club’s who our players have previously represented. This is heart-warming for us.“
“Our main goal is to introduce the game to as wide of an audience as possible and to create a strong identity for the club and the game locally. Our attendances are growing which shows we are on the right track.”
The club are also planning on expanding their growth by introducing other teams. “We are currently in the early stages of developing a youth team and a women’s futsal team. These are not just sporting initiatives but also crucial community building efforts.”
With the average age of the futsal league in Estonia pushing 30, Ravens are pushing to change that narrative. “Starting from 2024 we have been paying more attention to local youth teams, looking for futsal profiles. We approach players directly offering them and their friends a chance to try the game. As us and football clubs compete for the same talent pool in a small town, we need to use our resources wisely.“
There is no given youth system in futsal as futsal requires different thinking and different tactical and technical abilities from players than football does. However, Roman says that Ravens are open to signing young players with a large interest in futsal. “Every young player who is passionate or interested in futsal is of huge value to us and to Estonian futsal in general. We offer players professional and educated futsal coaching, with the best training conditions we possibly can.”
Tartu Ravens were founded nine years after the official futsal league was launched in Estonia. “Ravens have been around for more than half of the official history of the sport in the country. I believe the clubs biggest impact on the sport is the club’s longevity and sustainability in the region, which historically was under-represented at the Estonian top league level. We have also managed to consistently produce players for the national team. This continued representation in the national team not only brings us pride but serves as a clear indicator that we are on the right track” said Roman Gnibida.
The club have already started the season with a Supercup win, the first national trophy the club has won in its decade long history. Roman exclaimed how good it was for the clubs fans and players alike, “this was a great motivational boost for the club, a huge compliment to the players, and a gift to the fans.“
Roman also added on about the goals they have this season, “This season our goal is the same as the past five or six years, to reach the play off finals and compete for the title. As we develop it is an ambitious yet achievable goal for the players, staff and club in general. As for our women’s and U18s team we want to retain players and create a stronger Ravens’ presence.”
Looking ahead the club have a long-term vision to sustain the club’s future as Roma describes. “The cornerstone of every club is it’s people. Ravens are no different. At the current stage, we are focusing heavily on shaping the future of the club through the expansion of the clubs system and securing long term relationships with players, staff, fans, volunteers and, of course, sponsors. We strongly believe that if we want things to change positively in Estonian futsal, then firstly, we need to pay attention to the areas we can positively affect ourselves.”
Futsal in Estonia is on the rise and Tartu Ravens are a core part of that rise and will continue to be so under the guidance of Ravens leadership.
