In the day’s only Premium Liiga fixture, Pärnu JK Vaprus defeated Nõmme Kalju 2:1 – their first win over Kalju since April 2021 – and claimed back-to-back league victories for the second time this season.
From the opening whistle, the visitors made their intent clear. Just seven minutes in, Marten-Chris Paalberg timed his run perfectly to meet a pass inside the box, steering it past the keeper for the early breakthrough. It was the fourth time in the match already that Vaprus had picked out Paalberg in Kalju’s penalty area – and this time the chance stuck.
Kalju tried to wrestle back control, pushing the tempo and forcing openings, but their finishing touch was missing. By half-time, they had yet to test Ott Nõmm in the Vaprus goal.
The hosts came out firing after the break, and their persistence finally paid off in the 58th minute. Rommi Siht unleashed a fierce strike from distance that dipped just under the crossbar to level the score. Minutes earlier, Virgo Vallik had found the net for Vaprus, only for the flag to go up for offside.
If the equaliser gave Kalju hope, Vaprus were quick to snatch it away. In the 70th minute, Tristan Pajo’s long-range drive forced an awkward save from Maksim Pavlov. The ball spilled into a scramble, Aleksandr Nikolajev’s clearance ricocheted off a teammate’s leg, and in a cruel twist, bounced over the line – a scrappy, messy, but decisive goal.
Kalju pressed hard for another equaliser in the closing stages, finally forcing Nõmm into action with shots on target. But the Vaprus keeper refused to be beaten again. With space opening up at the other end, Pajo and Vallik nearly punished the home side on the break, coming close to a third that would have sealed the match in style.
After this win Vaprus now has 30 points after 23 matches and has a 11 point advantage over their closest table neighbours Tartu JK Tammeka and Harju JK Laagri.
Nõmme Kalju FC vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 1:2 (0:1)
Goals: Siht 58′ | Paalberg 7′, Nikolajev 70′ (Own goal)
NOM: Pavloc, Mashchenko, Tambedou, Korre (Podholjuzin 69′), Boronilstsikov (Nikolajev 59′), Siht, Musolitin (Eyang 46′), Tarassenkov, Kask (Ivanov 46′), Patrikejevs (Baptista 59′), Mannilaan
PAR: Nomm, Aloe, Lipp, Mag.Villot, Sild (Aer 79′), Vallik, Kapper, Limberg (Kauber 71′), Pajo, Valja (Veensalu 71′), Paalberg (Poder 87′)
Premium Liiga Matchday 23:
- 09.08.2025 – FC Kuressaare vs Harju JK Laagri – 1:3
- 09.08.2025 – JK Narva Trans vs Tartu JK Tammeka – 4:1
- 09.08.2025 – Paide Linnameeskond vs JK Tallinna Kalev – 2:2
- 10.08.2025– Nõmme Kalju FC vs Pärnu JK Vaprus – 1:2
- 24.09.2025 – FC Flora Tallinn vs FCI Levaida – 19:30
| # | 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 |
