---
title: "Paide secure second place while late VAR drama denies Kalju third spot"
date: 2026-11-07T13:04:03Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/paide-secure-second-place-while-late-var-drama-denies-kalju-third-spot/
categories: ["Premium liiga", "Premium liiga - match reports"]
---

# Paide secure second place while late VAR drama denies Kalju third spot
****Paide Linnameeskond secured second place in the Estonian Premium Liiga after coming from two goals behind to draw 2-2 against Flora Tallinn in the final round of the season. Meanwhile, Nõmme Kalju were denied a dramatic stoppage-time winner against champions FCI Levadia following a VAR review, with their 2-2 draw leaving them fourth in the standings, one point behind Flora. Kalju must now wait until next year to discover whether they will qualify for European competition.****

Despite having already secured the championship, Levadia fielded a strong starting eleven against Kalju, who were fighting for a top-three finish. The visitors made a promising start and eventually took the lead through Baptista, whose strike deflected off Levadia defender Nwankwo and flew into the top corner.

Levadia responded through Wendell, who converted a penalty after Podholjuzin was penalised for handball. However, Mattias Männilaan restored Kalju’s advantage before half-time, with his goal allowed to stand following a VAR review for a possible offside involving Baptista.

The champions equalised after the break when Nikoloz Kutateladze’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Perk but rebounded off Danylo Mashchenko and into the net. Levadia nearly completed the comeback when Wendell struck the post, but the biggest drama was still to come.

Deep into stoppage time, Männilaan appeared to have scored a sensational winner that would have secured third place for Kalju. However, following a VAR review, referee disallowed the goal for a handball by Jabir in the build-up, leaving Kalju to settle for fourth place.

**FCI Levadia Tallinn vs Nõmme Kalju** **– 2-2 (1-2)**  
**Goals:** Wendell 34′ (Penalty kick), Kutateladze 60′ | Baptista 26′, Männilaan 42′

Meanwhile 90 kilometers away in Paide, Flora made an excellent start to their decisive away fixture against the home side, taking the lead in the ninth minute through Danil Kuraksin, who finished calmly after being released by Tony Varjund.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Vladislav Kreida delivered an excellent long pass from his own half, allowing Sergei Zenjov to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. With Flora leading 2-0 at half-time, they were temporarily on course to finish second.

However, Paide produced a remarkable comeback immediately after the restart. Momodou Jobarteh rounded Flora goalkeeper Evert Grünvald and scored in the 46th minute before Cabral’s effort struck the crossbar and rebounded off Grünvald into the net just a minute later.

Flora pushed for a winner, with Zenjov missing a promising opportunity and Sander Alamaa testing Paide’s goalkeeper, but the hosts held on to secure the point they needed to finish second.

The match also marked the final professional appearance of experienced Estonian international Henrik Ojamaa, who came off the bench for Paide in the 72nd minute.

With both matches ending 2-2, Paide finished the season as runners-up, Flora secured third place and Nõmme Kalju were left fourth after their dramatic late disappointment against Levadia, with all three teams separated by three points.

**Paide Linnameeskond vs FC Floraa Tallinn – 2-2 (0-2)**  
**Goals:** Jobarteh 46′, Grunvald 48′ (Own goal) | Kuraksin 7′, Zenjov 24′