Kink: Difficult season makes Paide’s second-place finish even sweeter

Paide Linnameeskond finished their Premium Liiga campaign with a 2-2 draw against Flora on the 7th of November, coming from two goals down at half-time. Head coach Tarmo Kink reflected on the season after securing second place.

Paide made a slow start at home, conceding twice in the opening stages, but responded immediately after the break with two goals in the first three minutes to earn a point in their final league fixture of the season.

Kink has become only the second manager to lead Paide to a second-place finish in the top flight. The first was Vjatšeslav Zahovaiko, who won this year’s title with FCI Levadia. Speaking to Paide’s media team and Baltic Football News, Kink reflected on the team’s campaign and their comeback against Flora.

Asked how he felt after the final whistle, Kink admitted that the end of the season had left him emotionally drained, but praised his players and the club.

“The first feeling is emotional emptiness, but as I said to the players in the dressing room I am proud of them and the club. There’s been a lot of investment in the squad and elsewhere. It was a difficult season but that makes the second place finish feel even better,” he said.

Kink felt the first half against Flora reflected Paide’s season as a whole, with the team having to recover from difficult situations. He said it was important to remind the players at half-time that a two-goal deficit could still be overturned.

“The first half summed up our season perfectly I think. We first dig ourselves into a hole and then climb out of it. It was important to remind the players that 2-0 means nothing at the break. If we score a goal then we have the momentum and to immediately score 2 was amazing,” Kink explained.

Despite the other matches taking place simultaneously, Paide focused entirely on their own performance, knowing that their fate was in their hands.

“Not at all, we had our own game to worry about. We knew exactly what has to be done and that it’s all in our own hands,” he said.

Kink also highlighted the contribution of experienced players such as Nikita Baranov and Henrik Ojamaa, praising their commitment throughout the campaign.

“Definitely and not only today throughout the whole season. They were always available. They showed their character and willingness to run. Every coach wants to see that,” he said.