Tartu Tammeka concluded their winter preparations with a 1-1 draw against Latvian second tier (newly renamed into “LVBET league”) Riga Mariners in a friendly played at the Skonto Hall in Riga.
Tammeka’s goal came from the penalty spot, converted by Patrick Genro Veelma, as the Estonian top-flight side matched a Mariners side, who finished third in Latvia’s second tier last season after finishing level on points with the champions and narrowly missing out on the coveted promotion following dense final-round drama.
Speaking to Baltic Football News after the game, Tammeka head coach Karel Voolaid said he was satisfied with his side’s preparations despite the weather. “I’m quite happy. Despite a heavy winter, we’ve had excellent conditions in our indoor hall in Tartu. The training and friendly games have been nearly perfect,” he said. The only disruption to the schedule was a cancelled match against Auda due to Latvian Super Cup arrangements, which kept the Latvian Cup holders in Turkey. “It was a shame as I have fond memories of facing them in 2023.” Aside from minor illnesses and injuries, he described the pre-season programme as very positive.
Reflecting on tactical development, Voolaid explained that the team is aiming to move away from last season’s defensive approach. “Last season, we started with high hopes of dominating but ended up in a ‘survival’ mindset – playing a deep 4-4-2 and just trying to hold a zero at the back for as long as possible. This year, I want us to move away from that purely defensive mindset.” He added that he wants Tammeka to play attractive, attacking football and become a “dynamic team.” While the team generally keeps a back four, roles ahead of them remain fluid. “For example, today our full-back played as a striker for a half. We aren’t sticking to a rigid formation; we want to adapt to the opponent and the choices we have on the field.”
Addressing midfield depth in recent matches, Voolaid said the integration of new players is still ongoing. Two Brazilian players are currently in the squad, with a possible third on the way. “They are still catching up in terms of game understanding and our specific build-up play. I need to give them minutes to build those connections.” He noted that the team is implementing new high-pressure triggers and build-up patterns. “I’m not completely happy yet, but I want to see this team grow over the long term of the season.”
Looking ahead to matches against Flora and Levadia, Voolaid said flexibility will be key. “You can’t play high pressure for 90 minutes. We want to be a team that uses the right moment.” He rejected fixed labels. “I can’t label us as just a ‘counter-attacking’ team or a ‘build-up’ team. Every opponent is different; you cannot compare a match against Flora to one against Kuressaare. Our style will not be the same every week.”
On closing the gap to the league’s dominant sides, Voolaid pointed to structural development rather than short-term fixes. “Flora and Levadia have 25 years of title-winning tradition. You don’t overhaul that with words; you do it with professional steps.” He highlighted improvements in salaries, budgets, nutrition after training, fitness and equipment, adding that there are “about 10 to 15 different areas where we have space to grow.” He cautioned against signing one expensive player too quickly, noting that balance must improve gradually.
Regarding further transfers, he said the club has limited time and budget space for potentially one more addition, without specifying a position. “We’ve already strengthened the team significantly for where we are right now.”
Voolaid also spoke about the importance of Baltic connections, saying he values pre-season matches against Latvian and Lithuanian opposition.
“The Baltic region is very special. We feel very close to our neighbors. I’d love to play against Lithuanian teams more, though the distance is a factor.”
He added that it is culturally important for clubs in Riga and Vilnius to look at Estonian players and that he appreciates the mixture of styles these fixtures bring.
Finally, he reiterated his commitment to youth development, influenced by his experience managing Estonia’s U15, U16, U21 and U23 national teams. With Estonia’s 6+5 homegrown rule in place, he continues to monitor academy players closely. “I’m never afraid to throw a young player in. We have four or five guys right now who are very close to becoming top players.” He concluded: “I don’t focus on the long-term calendar. We take it game by game, starting with a difficult opponent in Kalju. We want to be a team that is better in the final round than we were in the first.”
Tammeka begin their Premium liiga 2026 campaign on Sunday, 8th of March, at 14:30 at home against Kalju.
