It was a season that promised so much, but in the end, heartbreak was the final note for Kevor Palumets and his Slovakian side FK Železiarne Podbrezova. In a dramatic 2–3 defeat to DAC Dunajská Streda, Podbrezova’s hopes of a debut ticket to the UEFA Europa Conference League were dashed at the final hurdle.
After a solid showing in the Slovak Super Liga’s regular season and subsequent championship split, Podbrezova earned a spot in the play-offs, fighting for the last European qualifying berth. The semi-finals saw them edge through in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Košice, but the final proved a bridge too far.
Estonian international Kevor Palumets was trusted with a starting role in the away fixture and made his mark in the 70th minute — his well-delivered corner led to the crucial equalizer, leveling the score at 2–2. But just as hope was rekindled, fortune turned. In a twist of fate, Dunajská Streda took the lead in the 84th minute when Syrian international Ammar Ramadan scored his second goal of the game — the eventual match-winner.
The 21-year-old midfielder was subbed off in the 86th minute. Palumets joined the club at the start of the year, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal. In his debut half-season, he featured in 16 league matches, starting nine — a respectable start to life in Slovakia’s top flight.
