FC Flora Tallinn lifted their ninth Estonian Cup title on Saturday evening after dismantling Paide Linnameeskond 5-1 in the Evald Tipner Cup final in Pärnu, matching the biggest winning margin ever recorded in an Estonian Cup final. Veteran winger Sergei Zenjov scored twice as Flora claimed their first cup triumph since 2020.
The final at Pärnu Rannastaadion quickly turned into a nightmare for Paide. Flora opened the scoring already in the 12th minute when Zenjov found space inside the penalty area and calmly finished after smoke from the Flora supporters’ pyro briefly covered part of the pitch.
Although Paide had moments where they threatened through Henri Anier and Modou Sohna, Flora looked far sharper going forward throughout the first half. Just before the break, a disastrous defensive sequence gifted Flora their second goal. A mistake while attempting to play out from the back eventually allowed Sander Alamaa to score and double the lead before halftime.
Paide hoped to respond after the interval, but the final was effectively decided within the opening stages of the second half. In the 57th minute, a chaotic sequence inside the box ended with an own goal after Rauno Sappinen kept the ball alive near the byline and the ball deflected into the net off a Paide player.
Only five minutes later Flora added a fourth. Tony Varjund burst through the middle between defenders before squaring for Zenjov, who completed his brace from close range. Flora were not finished yet, and another devastating counterattack in the 72nd minute ended with Sappinen making it 5-0.
Paide at least avoided setting the outright record for the heaviest defeat in Estonian Cup final history when Sohna scored a late consolation goal from a tight angle, though the damage had long been done.
The four-goal margin matched the largest victory in an Estonian Cup final, previously achieved in the 2013/14 season when FCI Levadia defeated third-tier side Tartu Santos 4-0.
For Flora head coach Konstantin Vassiljev, the triumph marked his second major Estonian trophy in just a season and a half as manager, adding the Estonian Cup to the league title won last season. Vassiljev also became a five-time Estonian Cup winner overall, having previously lifted the trophy four times as a player.
Veteran forward Rauno Alliku also became a five-time Estonian Cup winner after making his return from injury for the first time since mid-April, while goalscorer Sappinen lifted the trophy for the fourth time in his career – all with Flora.
Paide Linnameeskond vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1-5 (0-2)
Goals: Sohna 82′ | Zenjov 12′ 64′, Alamaa 44′, Andrade 58′ (Own goal), Sappinen 73′
