FC Kuressaare finally found their way back to winning form in the 21st round of the Premium Liiga, earning a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Pärnu JK Vaprus. While the islanders struggled with accuracy in the first half, they made the necessary adjustments after the break and turned the game around.
The opening 45 minutes were firmly in Vaprus’ control, as they looked sharper and more dynamic in possession. Both Matthias Limberg and Tristan Pajo were active and threatening, with the breakthrough coming in the 27th minute. After Oscar Pihela brought down Limberg inside the box, Kevin Kauber stepped up to the spot and confidently buried the penalty into the bottom right corner.
Just before halftime, Vaprus had the chance to double their lead from another penalty. This time, Andero Kivi committed a foul on the crafty Sander Kapper. Kauber once again took the responsibility, but Kuressaare goalkeeper Karl-Romet Nõmm guessed correctly and parried the attempt, which was aimed slightly left but too close to the middle. Vaprus went into the break with a 1–0 lead.
The halftime talk in Kuressaare’s dressing room seemed to have worked wonders. The team returned to the pitch with renewed energy and purpose, looking like a completely different side. The previously passive play was replaced by structured attacks, particularly down the right flank through Evgeni Demidov.
In the 58th minute, Demidov earned a throw-in deep in enemy territory. Markus Leivategija launched one of his trademark long throws into the box. The ball ricocheted around and fortuitously fell to Andero Kivi, who made amends for his earlier mistake with the equalizer — 1–1.
In the final stretch of the match, Kuressaare leaned into one of their key strengths — the long ball. Gleb Pevtsov held up play well and found Aleksander Iljin, whose low cross to the far post was met by Leivategija. The midfielder finished calmly and unchallenged, sealing a dramatic 2–1 comeback win for Kuressaare.
This much-needed victory revitalizes Kuressaare’s campaign and marks a turning point as they look to climb the table in the latter part of the season.
FC Kuressaare vs Parnu JK Vaprus – 2:1 (0:1)
Goals: Kivi 58′, Leivategija 81′ | Kauber 27′ (11 m)
KUR: Nomm, Saar, Kobin, Pihela, Prunn, Antonov, Domov (Smirnov 77′), Demidov (Pevtsov 70′), Leivategija (Sinilaid 88′), Iljin, Kivi (Lipp 70′)
PAR: Nomm, Villota, Lipp, Aer (Aloe 68′), Sild, Valja, Pajo, Limberg (Kolvart 88′), Kapper, Kauber (Poder 68′), Paalberg (Vallik 62′)
Premium Liiga Matchday 21:
- 19.07.2025 – FCI Levadia vs Harju JK Laagri – 3:0
- 20.07.2025 – Nomme Kalju FC vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 6:2
- 20.07.2025 – Tartu JK Tammeka vs FC Flora Tallinn – 1:2
- 20.07.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Parnu JK Vaprus – 2:1
- 20.07.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs JK Narva Trans – 2:0
| # | Club | GP | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1 | FC Flora | 36 | 26 | 4 | 6 | 53 | 82 |
| 2 | FCI Levadia | 36 | 25 | 4 | 7 | 55 | 79 |
| 3 | Nõmme Kalju | 36 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 32 | 74 |
| 4 | Paide | 36 | 21 | 7 | 8 | 31 | 70 |
| 5 | Narva Trans | 36 | 15 | 6 | 15 | -1 | 51 |
| 6 | Pärnu Vaprus | 36 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 3 | 49 |
| 7 | Harju JK | 36 | 10 | 6 | 20 | -21 | 36 |
| 8 | Tammeka Tartu | 36 | 9 | 3 | 24 | -36 | 30 |
| 9 | FC Kuressaare | 36 | 8 | 4 | 24 | -35 | 28 |
| 10 | Tallinna Kalev | 36 | 5 | 2 | 29 | -81 | 17 |
